Servant Leadership: Lessons for Middle School Students

Education has evolved and so has this book-expanding beyond its original scope to influence teacher certification programs worldwide.

Leadership isn't about authority; it's about service, empathy, and empowering others. Middle schoolers may not hold formal leadership roles, but they influence their peers daily. By fostering collaboration, trust, and ethical decision-making, we prepare them to lead with integrity.

With examples for Administrators, Teachers, and Instructional Coaches, this updated edition equips educators with practical strategies, real-world examples, and interactive activities to nurture servant leadership in students. As they learn to lead by serving, educators, too, will reflect on their own leadership practices-because the best leaders lead by example.

David McNamee, Ph.D., is a Professor of Leadership in the Master of Science in Leadership program at the University of Arkansas Grantham. He also teaches leadership and other subjects as International Faculty with Jesuit Worldwide Learning and holds the title of Senior Fellow with Co-Serve International where he teaches and develops servant leaders at various institutions around the world.

Daniel McNamee, M.Ed. in Multicultural Contexts, teaches ninth-grade AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) in Charleston, SC. His patient, even-keeled approach to teaching, combined with high expectations for academics and behavior, empowers his students to strive toward their highest potential. In 2025, he was honored with Teacher of the Year at his school. His partner is Marlee McNamee (also Teacher of the Year) and together they have a daughter, Maggie.