Graded Superintendent Jane McGee Inspires Students with Lessons on Leadership

Superintendent Jane McGee visited Mr. Pete Vriend’s Leadership in Team Sports class to share her experiences as a leader and her perspective on what makes a great one. The course challenges students to explore different leadership styles and qualities, strengthen their organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, and learn how to build positive cultures within a team.⁠
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Jane began by telling students that true leadership starts with knowing who you are and what you stand for. She emphasized that strong leaders listen more than they speak, build meaningful relationships, and create cultures where every voice is valued. ⁠
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She also reflected on how leadership has evolved over time. “Leadership used to be more authoritative and top-down. Now it’s much more about pulling from your team and utilizing the strengths they bring to the table,” she explained.⁠
 

When asked about facing tough moments, she revealed, “When things are difficult, I take a minute to do what I call joyspotting. Here, I take a walk around campus to see and talk to the students. They are why I’m here.”⁠
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The conversation left students with a clearer picture of how the leadership skills and styles they’re studying can shape the kind of leaders they want to become both on and off the field.⁠