Servant Leadership Academy starts with team building at Scout Island

The Fresno County Office of Education’s Student Intervention and Prevention department kicked off the second Servant Leadership Academy on March 19 at Scout Island. This is the beginning of an eight-month academy, which includes 44 students from seven schools across Fresno County. Students participated in a variety of team-building and trust activities that included a ropes course.

The philosophy of servant leadership is to first serve the best interest and welfare of others before becoming a leader. Program director Manuel Escandon and coordinator Cedric Hardamon will teach students the characteristics of servant leadership through self-awareness.

“The theme of the program is transformation through skill enhancement. This process is life altering and the objectives are to instill traits and skill sets necessary for students to practice servant leadership, which will lead to effective problem-solving,” said Hardamon.

The Student Leadership Program will have monthly meetings with the students to teach a variety of topics such as self-concept skills, teambuilding and culture.