This week, students from across Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) gathered at the District Office for the Student Superintendent Advisory Council. This meeting gives students a behind-the-scenes look at how their school district operates, provides leadership opportunities, and gives them a chance to share their voices with district leadership.
During the meeting, students learned about the “PIED” acronym, which stands for “positivity, integrity, empathy, and dependability.” These four qualities serve as key principles of leadership and were the central focus of the meeting.
Ainsley B., a fifth-grade student at Schnepf Elementary, took away a powerful lesson about empathy and what it means to be a good leader.
“One thing I learned today is that a good leader is always empathetic. I feel like empathy is really important because it is listening to others and sharing ideas,” Ainsley shared.
Through the meeting, Ainsley learned that being a good leader means taking the time to listen to others and consider their perspectives. The council also gives students an opportunity to share their thoughts directly with district administrators, including Superintendent Dr. Perry Berry, and have a voice in conversations about their schools.
“I felt like I was getting to help with the things that we were trying to decide today. I feel like my voice was definitely heard,” Ainsley added.
For Paisley B., a student at Crismon High School, the meeting offered lessons she can bring back to her own school and her role in student council.
“I learned about dependability. So that’s one of the most important things I think about being a leader, because you are the person that people want to come to,” Paisley said.
As a student council participant, Paisley understands the importance of building trust and creating an environment where others feel comfortable speaking up.
“People are able to come to me and to trust me and share their ideas and feel comfortable,” she said.
Through the Student Superintendent Advisory Council, QCUSD students are developing leadership skills, learning how the district operates, and discovering the importance of listening to others. Most importantly, the council reminds students that their perspectives matter and that even at a young age, they can make a meaningful contribution to their school communities.