Karns High School launched an innovative initiative called Leadership Thursdays, aimed at empowering students with essential leadership skills and preparing them for success beyond the classroom.
The program was born out of a recurring observation from teachers: students were lacking in soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and self-management.
The solution? Create opportunities for students to lead.
Leadership Thursdays provide students with dedicated time to develop these abilities and step into leadership roles.
Every Thursday, the school follows a modified schedule, with a 30-minute leadership class between the first and second blocks. These classes are customized based on student interests and pathways, ensuring each student receives focused leadership development.
For junior Mya Jones, the motivational speakers have provided the most eye-opening experiences during Leadership Thursdays.
“Some of the guest speakers have shown us how to stand up for ourselves and not be scared to stand out,” Mya said. “They’ve shown me how to break out of my comfort zone and ask for help.”
Freshmen participate in sessions focused on general leadership and student success skills, including study habits and goal-setting. As a reward for their academic progress, many freshmen recently enjoyed a Popcorn and Popsicles event to celebrate students who are on track with their classes.
Leadership Thursdays also offer specialized sessions for various student groups. The Student Government Association (SGA) is working on a flagpole renovation to honor alumni who have served in the military, while student-athletes participate in a book study on The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon. DECA students focus on public speaking and competition preparation for events at local, state, and national levels.
Other groups, like Health Science students, work on leadership skills tied to their field. These students prepare for clinicals as part of their work-based learning, gaining hands-on experience in nursing and pharmacology. Culinary students practice customer service by preparing and delivering meals to staff.
For Mya, the leadership lessons extend beyond the classroom and inspired her to take action in her community. After seeing a news story about hurricane victims struggling to feed their families, Mya felt compelled to help.
“My family is about to grow to eight, so it really touched me because living in a big family, it can sometimes be a struggle to get everything you want,” Mya said. “I wanted to do something to help them.”
With the support of her teachers, Mya organized a donation drive that collected over 4,700 items including baby supplies, hygiene products, and canned food.
“One of our recent guest speakers talked about how he went to someone he looked up to and asked for help bringing an idea to life,” she said. “I thought, ‘If he can do it, then so can I.’ I went to [Karns High Academy Coach] Ms. Brooks, and she helped me set everything up.”
Since launching the program, Karns High has already seen positive outcomes, with students like Mya stepping into leadership roles both within the school and in the community. Principal Dr. Laicee Hatfield‘s vision is for every student to graduate ready to lead, knowing who they are and how they can make an impact in the world.
“I think every school should have Leadership Thursdays because it helps students feel like they’re involved in what’s going on around them,” Mya said.
Career Empowerment and Preparation
Knox County Schools is dedicated to Career Empowerment and Preparation. At KCS, we are committed to preparing students for graduation and life after graduation. By providing students with early and meaningful opportunities to explore colleges and careers, KCS empowers students to confidently approach their future, prepared for the three Es: employment, enrollment, or enlistment.