LEADERSHIP LAB

The Leadership Lab:

The Gardner Carney Leadership Institute has created a six-day intensive workshop that takes place every June on the campus of the Fountain Valley School of Colorado. K-12 teachers and administrators from across North America learn how to develop the leadership competencies of their students. At gcLi, we have crafted a unique pedagogy that seamlessly integrates brain science, developmental psychology, social-emotional intelligence, and cultural competency with cutting-edge research in leadership education. We call this the gcLi Pedagogy of Leadership®.

Teachers who effectively develop leadership capacities of young people have four essential skills:

1. Foundations of Leadership Education
   Educators possess a deep understanding of developmental psychology, brain science, and their students’ social and cultural contexts, enabling them to effectively teach leadership principles.

2. Group Dynamics in Leadership
   They comprehend the dynamics of group functioning—whether in classrooms, team sports, clubs, faculty meetings, or school events—and can identify strategies to inspire students to assume leadership roles that foster healthier relationships and group actions.

3. Constructive Feedback for Growth
   They excel in providing motivating feedback and fostering a culture of continuous feedback, which contributes positively to the overall school environment and enhances leadership development.

4. Reflective Practice in Leadership
   They have a reflective understanding of their own leadership capacities and are equipped with the knowledge and skills to model and teach leadership education in diverse educational settings.

The gcLi definition of leadership is that, “leadership involves choosing behaviors, from a place of empathy and courage, that helps a group to achieve its goals.”

Teachable moments happen all of the time, yet typically the opportunity that lies within to teach leadership, is passed over. At the gcLi Leadership Lab, by presenting a foundation in developmental psychology and brain science, we help educators develop the ability to identify, utilize, and create teachable moments to transform individuals, classrooms, sports teams and whole schools.

The GCLI is founded on the premise that young people need to develop a thoughtful awareness — indeed a reverence for — leadership qualities in themselves and others. Never before in our country’s history has the call to leadership education felt more urgent .We believe that teachers are the best conduits for conveying this reverence to young people. But they need training and support to do it well.

COLLABORATION WITH THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION (GSE) OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Since 2010 the gcLi has been collaborating with PennGSE. Graduates are awarded a Certificate of Completion of the Leadership Lab in conjunction with the GSE. We also offer a competitive $10,000 scholarship to a Leadership Lab graduate who attends the Masters in School Leadership Program at PennGSE. Please see the Leadership Grant page for details.