Programs → Middle School

“Who am I, what matters to me, and how do I influence the people around me?”

The entry point of the pipeline. Middle school students meet leadership as something they already do — in friendships, group projects, teams, family, and online — before they ever meet it as a title. Sessions are experiential, visual, social, concrete, and highly participatory.

Games, scenarios, movement, art, peer interaction, short reflection, and a visible product every student takes home. Abstract leadership ideas are translated into situations students already recognize from school, friendships, family, teams, social media, and community.

Audience

Grades 6-8

Format

Six sessions, in-school or after-school

Partners

Emerge Philadelphia

Modules

01 This Is Me

“Who am I beyond what people see?”

Students explore who they are, what makes them unique, their strengths and interests, what they are proud of, and areas where they are still growing.

01 This Is Me

“Who am I beyond what people see?”

Students explore who they are, what makes them unique, their strengths and interests, what they are proud of, and areas where they are still growing.

02 What Matters To Me

“What kind of person do I want to be?”

Students identify their core values and explore how those values influence their choices, relationships, and character, especially when faced with difficult decisions.

02 What Matters To Me

“What kind of person do I want to be?”

Students identify their core values and explore how those values influence their choices, relationships, and character, especially when faced with difficult decisions.

03 Leading Me

“Can I be in charge of me?”

Students learn how to manage themselves by developing self-control, setting goals, taking responsibility, managing emotions and time, and understanding what they can and cannot control.

03 Leading Me

“Can I be in charge of me?”

Students learn how to manage themselves by developing self-control, setting goals, taking responsibility, managing emotions and time, and understanding what they can and cannot control.

04 A new standard for leadership education

“How do I make other people better?”

Students explore how leadership happens through teamwork, empathy, listening, inclusion, encouragement, and conflict resolution. They reflect on how they influence and support the people around them.

04 A new standard for leadership education

“How do I make other people better?”

Students explore how leadership happens through teamwork, empathy, listening, inclusion, encouragement, and conflict resolution. They reflect on how they influence and support the people around them.

05 When Things Get Hard

“How do I handle pressure and conflict?”

Students learn how to respond to pressure, conflict, peer influence, and difficult choices. They practice slowing down, considering their values and consequences, making thoughtful decisions, and learning from their actions.

05 When Things Get Hard

“How do I handle pressure and conflict?”

06 My Impact

“What can I make better?”

Students explore how they can use leadership and initiative to make a positive difference in their school, home, and community. They identify problems, develop solutions, involve others, and take meaningful action.