Leaders of the Class

“In Leaders of the Class, Chapman and Simons provide secondary teachers with a practical road map for teaching students leadership skills as a daily practice, instead of a title. By embedding motivation, perseverance, communication, and collaboration into classroom routines and unit plans, the authors model how to develop confident and capable students. I appreciate the inclusion of the Leader Profile tool, which helps young people track their leadership growth in real time. This is an essential book for educators who recognize that student leadership is taught, modeled, and developed, rather than being passed on.”

“Leaders of the Class is a game changer. Chapman and Simons offer a clear, compelling framework that helps every student see themselves as a leader. It’s exactly what schools need to foster engagement, equity, and academic purpose.”

“Rare is the book that effectively translates research into actionable lessons, units, and systems that can be trusted to work for educators as well as kids. This is that book! If you are concerned about student motivation, engagement, and life preparation, this resource will show you how to make your classroom a place where kids are driven not just to comply and ‘do their work,’ but to excel and eventually to lead. And crucially, rather than homogenize the activities, the authors supply regular culturally responsive opportunities for students to examine their social circumstances, political context, and unique assets in ways that amplify diverse student identities and elevate their desire for self-directed forms of connection, growth, and achievement.”

“The brilliance of Maureen Chapman and James Simons is on full display in Leaders of the Class. This book is a treasure trove of actionable steps, proven practices, and easy-to-use tools for developing student leaders. But the brilliance of this work lies in its dual impact: It is as much a guide for transforming students as it is for invigorating the leadership skills of the adults who guide them. In short, this book is a mentorship in print, offering profound insights for developing motivation, perseverance, communication, and collaboration for everyone who reads it and experiences its impact.”

“Maureen Chapman and James Simons have brought the joy and love of education alive with their work. As former educators, they know firsthand the struggles our students and educators are facing in the modern world. Leaders of the Class is the playbook for educators with teaching units, essential questions, leadership practices, and a culminating project to develop leadership opportunities. Cincinnati Country Day Middle School was proud to partner with Maureen and James on a project which created tools to activate leadership through academic learning across grade levels and subject areas. Many of the tools blended perfectly with our mission of creating leaders who, through the discovery of their own abilities, kindle the potential of others and better a dynamic world. Students want to be leaders and we, as educators, must provide them with the opportunities.”

“Leaders of the Class is more than a book—it’s a deeply thoughtful, love-filled invitation to meaningful learning and leadership. Chapman and Simon have created a resource that is both accessible and powerful, engaging readers with layered tasks, compelling visuals, and a tone that radiates purpose and passion. With standardized steps, free reproducibles, and a wealth of real-world fieldwork, this book is both easy to use and impactful—an ideal guide for professional development, classroom practice, and schoolwide transformation. What makes Leaders of the Class stand out is its wholehearted commitment to cultivating changemakers. From start to finish, it keeps readers inspired, centering the ‘why’ behind the work and providing tools that are timely, inclusive, and deeply rooted in the best of educational practices. It’s not just for teachers and students, but for caregivers and communities, too. Whether you’re a new educator or a seasoned leader, this book is a must-have—an enduring resource that will ripple outward in classrooms and beyond.”

“Light-hearted illustrations, humor, practical exercises and useful templates draw you in, but it’s the deep-hearted belief in teachers and students as leaders that will have you eager to read more.”