Leading the Way - February 19, 2026

Leading Moments From Across the District

Leadership in Action: Building the Foundation for Student Self-Leadership

Last week’s Professional Learning Day brought our middle and high school teams together around a shared commitment to elevating leadership as a daily practice within our schools. Staff engaged deeply in examining the four critical functions that empower individuals to create clarity, build trust, drive results, and develop others, reflecting on how these responsibilities extend beyond titles and into every classroom, team, and interaction. Through rich dialogue and collaborative application, educators explored the belief that leadership is not reserved for a few, but cultivated in all, adults and students alike, shifting mindsets from positional authority to collective ownership.

The conversation centered on intentionally shaping environments where initiative, accountability, and service become embedded norms, not occasional acts. Most importantly, this work does not remain at the adult level; it is intentionally designed to move directly into classrooms, activities, and student experiences so that learners are equipped with the mindset, language, and skills to practice leadership themselves. As these principles are modeled, taught, and reinforced consistently, students will increasingly develop ownership of their choices, actions, and impact, strengthening their self-leadership and preparing them to thrive in whatever paths they pursue.

By strengthening this shared language and aligning around consistent expectations, we continue to build a culture where leadership is foundational to daily practice, expanding opportunities for students to grow as capable, confident, and future-ready individuals while advancing our unwavering commitment to exceptional experiences for every learner, every day.

Building Digital Presence & Real-World Connections: Empowering Students to Own Their

Professional Story

This week marked the completion of a two-part LinkedIn workshop series with students at Indian Hill High School, designed to help them think intentionally about their digital presence and the long-term power of professional relationships. The series began with a foundational session led by Mrs. Becca Slattery, who guided students through building a LinkedIn profile with purpose and clarity. She emphasized that LinkedIn is not about having an impressive job title, it is about showcasing interests, skills, and direction. Using six “experience archetypes” (paid work, academics, sports/leadership, service, portfolio work, and competitions/awards), students learned how to recognize and articulate the value of experiences they already have.

They also explored the importance of sending clear directional signals in their headlines, communicating areas of curiosity such as finance, medicine, or other fields of interest, so their network understands how to support and connect them to future opportunities.

The second session built on that momentum by shifting from profile creation to relationship building. Students engaged in open, honest conversations about the nuances of networking: how to reach out to someone they have never met, how to ask for advice without feeling awkward, how to follow up thoughtfully, and how to build connections before they actually “need” something. In an era where templated messages and AI-generated outreach are easy defaults, the emphasis was on authenticity, crafting communication that is personal, intentional, and human.

Together, the two sessions reinforced a powerful message: opportunity expands when students learn to communicate who they are, where they are headed, and how to build genuine connections along the way. Most impressive was the level of engagement, curiosity, and ambition demonstrated throughout the experience. These students are already thinking ahead, positioning themselves thoughtfully, and developing skills that will serve them well beyond high school.

Jeff Damadeo, Director of K-12 Leadership & Career Development

Jeff.Damadeo@ihsd.us

Twitter: @indianhillEC

My #IHPromise - to work tirelessly for our students, providing them with the most exceptional educational opportunities & experiences to help ensure that they develop into outstanding academic students and future ready individuals!