Megan's School of Leadership Story
I came to the School of Leadership in the summer before my final year at university. I was about to start leading a student small group and wanted to make sure I did a good job.
My expectations were completely blown out the water. It was the most transformative and incredible teaching on leadership I have ever encountered. Not only was it thoroughly biblical, it was also deeply practical and felt just like being part of a family. The culture of vulnerability and honour was set from the get-go, and it meant we were free to simply be ourselves.
One of my highlights was the party night. It was after an intense (in a good way!) day of teaching about relationships, and we were able to throw some shapes and hit the dance floor. I loved that alongside exploring the serious stuff there was space for us to laugh together and enjoy each other’s company.
Through the School of Leadership I learned what it looks like to call the best out of myself so that I can, in turn, call the best out of others. The fact that, as carriers of God’s kingdom, we have the power to shift culture has really stuck with me.
I moved to Newcastle to join in with a New Wine church plant last September, and I’m currently working towards a PGCE in Secondary English at Durham University. I’ve found that staff rooms can easily become petty and toxic, especially when there’s milk involved! By choosing not to get drawn into workplace politics and practising generosity – often anonymously – I’ve seen the real impact I can have and the way I can play a part in positively shifting the atmosphere.
“What I learned goes way beyond my job and into the rest of my life too.”
The School of Leadership also opened my eyes to the different ways that people interact with the world. As a natural extrovert, I tend to panic if there are awkward silences. But now I know that some people need a bit more time to think and process before speaking, and I need to take responsibility for honouring that and making room for them to do so. In the classroom this is crucial as I respond to the needs of different pupils.
What I learned goes way beyond my job and into the rest of my life too – whether it’s communicating with people at church or in my day-to-day life. The School of Leadership showed me that I can be a kingdom leader wherever God calls me to be.
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