Inspire Citizens presents this 3-part series to support schools in nurturing vibrant student leadership communities that inspire meaningful action and local-global impact. Grounded in the principles of service learning and global citizenship, this series equips educators with practical tools to guide students in identifying their unique strengths, exploring local issues that matter to them, and developing projects that are sustainable, reciprocal, and rooted in authentic community engagement. Participants will collaboratively explore student-centered leadership models, design implementation strategies, and reflect on practices that foster purpose-driven action and belonging. Sessions are interactive, practical, and aligned with frameworks such as the IB’s Community Engagement model and the Inspire Citizens Empathy to Impact framework.

Session 1: Cultivating Purpose – Talents, Passions, and Community Needs (90 min)

Educators will explore tools and strategies to help students connect their identities, talents, and passions with local or global issues. Together, we will define what meaningful, reciprocal, and community-rooted action looks like. Participants will begin to co-design experiences that position students as agents of change, while exploring how global citizenship and sustainable development goals (SDGs) can ground student engagement in real-world impact.

Key Outcomes:

• Map student talents to community challenges

• Define reciprocal, authentic engagement

• Connect action to SDGs and global citizenship

• Begin designing student leadership/student agency opportunities

Session 2: Planning for Action – Structures for Leadership and Collaboration (90 min)

This session focuses on the practical structures that support successful student-led action. Educators will learn how to “back map” leadership programs and projects, implement project management protocols, and foster a sense of team belonging through intentional group-building practices. Together, we will examine how to scaffold leadership experiences that are inclusive, collaborative, and sustainable within each school’s context.

Key Outcomes:

• Apply backward design to student leadership and service learning projects

• Use protocols for team collaboration and decision-making

• Plan scaffolded leadership pathways across the year

• Embed leadership skills into advisory, co-curricular, and/or core curriculum

Practical Application Period (Two Weeks)

During this time, educators will:

• Option A: Design and pilot student leadership sessions to be delivered with a group of student leaders.

• Option B: Build a programmatic calendar or schedule for implementing leadership and service learning practices in your school context.

Educators will gather documentation, feedback, or reflections to bring back to Session 3.

Session 3: Reflecting for Impact – Implementation and the Way Forward (90 min)

In our final session, we will explore how to create impact-focused reflection opportunities that help students and educators assess growth and deepen learning, and reflect on student impact. Educators will have the opportunity to share prototypes, gather peer feedback, and collaboratively identify next steps for embedding global citizenship and student leadership for community impact into their school culture. The session will close with a support needs survey to guide future coaching or follow-up offerings.

Key Outcomes:

• Align reflection practices with community impact goals

• Showcase and reflect on implementation prototypes

• Identify opportunities to grow or scale the program

• Define follow-up supports or partnership needs

How to Earn the Badge:

• Complete the online sessions

• Complete the AMISA Learning Survey at the end of course