Leadership Day at The Odyssey School
The central theme for this year’s Middle School Leadership Workshop focused on the foundation from
which leadership develops, reflecting and discussing the role of the Four Pillars as it relates to the
qualities of a good leader throughout the student’s daily life at Odyssey
and beyond. The annual Middle School Leadership day focused its
activities on the themes of the students’ summer reading, Three Cups
of Tea.
The Odyssey Middle School Leadership Workshop sets a wonderful,
positive tone and a foundation for expectations for our middle school
students this year. Many exciting opportunities both in the classroom
and out of the classroom are in store for the students during the year.
Beyond the field trips, community service activities, the creative arts
exploration, the athletic events, speakers and assemblies, and the
academic learning opportunities, students will be offered a myriad of
opportunities that allow for leadership, team building and character
development.
While reading the book Three Cups of Tea by Mortenson and Relin during last winter’s blizzard,
language teachers were captivated by the themes, lessons, and heartwarming messages of the book.
Wanting to share their excitement for the book, and seeing the importance and impact of the book’s
messages, the language department and middle school teachers assigned the book as an all school
summer reading for students. Throughout this academic year, students will be engaging in discussions
and activities based on the many positive and meaningful messages found in this summer’s reading for
students.
Students and teachers kicked off the beginning of the year by participating in activities and discussions
relating to the powerful story, Three Cups of Tea during the annual Middle School Leadership Day.
Many positive and inspiring lessons about leadership and the values related to The Four Pillars can be
drawn from Greg Mortenson’s story. During the Leadership Day, students reflected on the particular
quotes and passages in the book as they enjoyed a tea ceremony. Other students listened to Odyssey’s
Former Trustee, Charlie Miller, as he discussed events in the story and related the events to the
students’ personal experiences and perceptions of good leadership. In another session, our students
also compared and contrasted the journey of starting Odyssey with the experiences Mortenson
encountered starting a school in Afghanistan. Students examined the resources and leadership required
in starting a school, and spoke about the compassion, commitment, hard work, and perseverance
demonstrated by the individuals involved. Finally, students created Odyssey flags similar in design to
the Tibetan flags found in the Himalayas. The colorful Odyssey flags, with symbols for The Four Pillars,
hang high on the balcony of The Odyssey School. It is hoped the flags will be blown by the wind and
carry goodwill and compassion to all.