Published: November 21, 2009 06:48 pm      

Focus On Education

Science Hill students visit Lt. Governor Mongiardo

If one wants to teach students about leadership, why not go straight to the top of the chain?

That’s exactly what teacher Hannah Young decided to do to teach a group of students with the Gifted and Talented Program at Science Hill School about leadership skills.

Earlier this month, 11 students with the Gifted and Talented STLP (Students Technology Leadership Program) made the trip from Science Hill to Frankfort to ask Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo a few things about leadership skills and their importance to leading a successful life — and to brush up on their interviewing skills.

“Each student asked him (Mongiardo) a question,” Young said. “The main leadership tip we gained was ‘changes always need strong leaders.’”

The students had 30 minutes of face time with Mongiardo, and then toured the capitol.

“Even though we did not meet representatives, the students received citations from Rep. Tommy Turner and Sen. Vernie McGaha,” Young said.

The students, who had to undergo an evaluation before being accepted into the STLP program, have also been working on gaining knowledge about technology throughout the year. The two can go hand in hand.

“Even new technology has been met with resistance,” Young said, about the importance of leadership skills in the technology sector.

The students were “delighted” to meet with Mongiardo, who keeps a very busy schedule, said Science Hill Superintendent Rick Walker.

“This is an extremely busy time for the Lt. Gov., trying to work with our legislators to solve the budget crises while protecting Kentucky's public schools,” Walker said.

The group’s goal at school this year is to assist the school’s teachers in setting up and maintaining a Web page for their classes.

“We have quite a few children at Science Hill School identified as Gifted and Talented,” Walker said. “Our teachers here are excellent at differentiating instruction so that children of all different abilities are challenged and prodded to continuously learn and grow.”