For the last several years, I have had the privilege and responsibility of serving as Franklin Academy’s Student Government advisor, guiding that group in skill growth in the areas of leadership, collaboration, and community engagement. The FA Student Government’s goals are to:
- Improve and enhance student life
- Coordinate social events on campus and in the community
- Aid communication between the student body and the faculty
- Run the student snack and school merchandise store to raise money for student life
I strive to mentor Franklin’s student leaders and to provide support, advice, and oversight in planning events, managing finances, and ensuring adherence to school policies while ultimately allowing the students to take ownership of their initiatives and develop leadership skills. I seek to guide these students not only in their leadership roles but also in navigating the social dynamics of collaborative community work. My goal is to help guide them as they develop organizational, communication, leadership, and teamwork skills- all abilities that will serve them well beyond their time at Franklin.
One of my favorite aspects of working with students in student government is helping themes to recognize and utilize their strengths. Each student brings unique talents and perspectives to student government, and I encourage them to apply these to their leadership roles and their work within the Franklin community, while seeking to guide them in opportunities to practice executive functioning skills like long-term planning and task organization.
Group dynamics and collaborative decision-making processes can be challenging to navigate, and one of my primary roles as an advisor, when needed, is to help students work through conflicts and misunderstandings that might arise, focusing on fostering a sense of teamwork and the development of the ability to handle these difficulties independently. I am proud to say that I have watched this year’s student government grow to handle their communication with deep respect and care for one another, maturity, and self-awareness.
Student government plays a crucial role in the development of community and the exploration of social skills for all students here at Franklin. The group consciously seeks to develop social opportunities for students to find connections, practice conversations, take safe risks and explore new experiences. The group works very hard to make sure that their leadership is aligned with the needs and wants of the students that they serve, and I have been floored many times in my work as an advisor by the compassion, care and conscientious showed by our student government for their peers in the community, and how much they strive to support them.
This has been an exciting and productive year in student government. They have successfully hosted a Halloween party, managed the school store, collaborated on a pop-up merchandise fundraiser, organized activities for a surprise day off for the student body, and developed a student government website, all while continuing to plan and organize upcoming events to enhance our community. Recently, four student government members and I attended the Connecticut Association of Student Councils’ annual convention, where they engaged with peers, exchanged ideas and gained valuable leadership insights.
At the conference, Franklin students and other student government members from across the state participated in interactive workshops focused on leadership, team-building, and communication. These hands-on sessions allowed them to showcase their problem-solving abilities, creativity, and collaboration skills. Students also got to hear perspectives from current and former members of the Connecticut General Assembly, and from a motivational speaker who imparted a message of care for others, perseverance, and self-belief that resonated deeply with our students. Our students were also able to hear about the work of other student governments for inspiration. Franklin’s student government members left feeling motivated by the speakers and their interactions with other student leaders, bringing back fresh ideas to enrich Franklin’s community.
Collaborating with these fantastic student leaders in the process of becoming more confident, self-assured, and capable individuals who are poised to contribute meaningfully to our school and beyond is an honor. I am so proud of this year’s student government group and continually impressed by their creativity, dedication, resilience, and enthusiasm. I feel privileged to work alongside them and support them on their journey.
