For a Better Tomorrow, Teach Children to be Servant Leaders Today

What do Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King have in common?
They were both servant leaders.
“The concept of servant leadership is simple, but the teaching and modeling of it can be complex,” says Ed Tooley, Leadership instructor at Legacy Christian Academy. “Servant leaders seek out opportunities to help others and empower their neighbors to do the same. The focus is not on themselves but on identifying needs and developing collaborative solutions that make a real difference in the lives of both the helpers and those who are helped.”
At Legacy, multidisciplinary critical-thinking education takes the “random” out of “random acts of kindness.” “From Kinder to middle school, every Legacy learner is taught to be generous with their words and actions by intention,” says Matt Millett, Legacy’s head of school and local education expert. “Whether classes join together to support a local non-profit or students see a community need and create a service project themselves with the help of their peers, they learn through theory and practice how to best be of service. Legacy students work and develop solutions to the world’s ‘big problems’ with their teachers, who are experts in their disciplines. The study of mathematics, history, language arts, music – every subject can lend well to developing the skills and heart to be a servant leader.”
Tooley, who has served as principal of Trinity Christian School in Sunland and professor in the Behavioral Science/Education Department at Azusa Pacific, explains that this particular concept of servant leadership was initiated by Jesus. “We find our way from the Bible,” explains Tooley, who developed the Leadership course for Legacy. “We study the habits and practices of effective leaders, then consciously apply them in real-world experiences locally. Service to our community is a cornerstone of Legacy’s leadership class,” explains the educator with 40 years of experience.
But what does servant leadership mean outside of school? “Servant leaders are inspirational and highly effective in the boardroom, politics, nonprofits, as parents and citizens. They are transformational leaders who accomplish big things,” says Tooley.
Legacy Christian Academy offers accelerated academics in a culture that exalts Christ. Call for enrollment information. 661-257-7377