MODULE NINE:
Peer Education
and Leadership
Objectives:
Students will:
• Define the qualities of an effective leader.
• Be more effective team leaders and team
members.
• Understand how to effectively manage a
project and their peers.
• Develop an awareness of peer educator
skills.
Important qualities
of a leader:
• Honesty, integrity, and responsibility are
important qualities in a leader.
• Effective leaders are also inspirational,
caring, hard-working, self-aware, confident,
adaptable, and service-oriented.
• They also have the ability to communicate
well.
• And, they appreciate those who are under
their leadership.
Skills inventory:
• What are your strengths?
• How can you use your strengths when
working with others?
• What areas need strengthening or
improvement?
• How can you be aware of these areas
when working with others?
What do good leaders do?
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Motivate other people
Achieve unity within their group
Guide those who need guidance
Establish goals and begin to work toward them
Hold themselves accountable for their group’s
actions
• Listen to those they are leading
• Help others
• Ask for help
How do leaders lead?
• They lead by example
• They lead because they have a passion
to lead and passion for their cause
• They have good communication and
listening skills
• They are aware of and deal with their
strengths AND weaknesses
How do leaders learn?
• Listen to those they work with.
• Step back from each experience to
appreciate the lesson learned.
• Are open to change and improvements
whether from peers or supervisors.
• Seek guidance and advice from a
community or program leader.
Project management
involves:
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Setting goals.
Being ready to take risks.
Setting timelines.
Sticking to the timelines.
Evaluating the project.
Modifying plans if necessary.
Maintaining the group’s motivation.
Encouraging completion of the project.
Thanking those involved when
the project is completed.
Setting goals:
• Your goals must be specific and clearly
defined before beginning work.
• You must be able to measure the outcome
of your goals.
• Your goals should be flexible and
adaptable.
• Keep your goals realistic and attainable.
• Is your goal reachable within your time
frame?
How a leader motivates
others:
• Utilize an individual’s natural talents when
assigning tasks.
• Understand that everyone does not have the
same strengths.
• Make people feel as though they are
contributing something unique to the group.
• Make people feel as though their time and
efforts are valued.
• Make people feel appreciated for the job
they have done.
Effective leaders motivate
by:
• Making suggestions, not
demands.
• Making sure everyone is
contributing.
• Making sure others understand all
viewpoints and the details of what
is being said.
Problem solving:
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First, create a comfortable atmosphere.
Determine and clarify the problem and issues.
Make sure everyone is aware of the problem.
Plan a solution as a group.
Have everyone agree on the solution and ensure
their pledge to working toward it.
• Implement the plan as a group.
• Evaluate the solution as a group.
• Determine how to avoid new conflicts
in the future.
How do leaders improve
their leadership skills?
• By LISTENING to suggestions of those
they work with.
• By constantly reviewing their own skills and
work.
• By being open to constructive criticism.
• By continuing to read and educate
themselves on what it means to be a good
leader.
Who is a leader?
YOU ARE!
What is Peer Education?
The premise of peer education is that
people (teens) are highly influenced by
their peers, and that information
coming from “like individuals” will be
valued more highly than information
from adults or individuals not seen as
part of one’s peer group.
Source: “Peer Education” Planned Parenthood Center of West Michigan,
2004 Edition.
What is a Peer Educator?
• Someone who has been trained in a
specific topic, and then shares that
information with others
• Someone not seen as an “authority”
but as a “friend in the know”
• An important role model for others
Qualities of a Peer Educator:
• Open & honest, wants to help others
• Non judgemental- accepts people as
they are
• Confident
• Committed to researching facts
• Maintains confidentiality
• Committed to school academics as
primary responsibility
• Knows when to seek adult help
Peer Educator Skills:
• Knowledge of the subject you will be
discussing.
• Ability to research the subject or topic of the
peer education
• Not afraid to admit you don’t know something
or to have to research something new.
• Confident in your ability to discuss personal,
private, social, and ethical issues that affect
yourself and your peers.
• Able to lead a free, open, and HONEST
conversation on the topic you will
be discussing.
Examples of Peer Education
Programs
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Planned Parenthood Programs
Drug & Alcohol Awareness
American Red Cross programs
Education-such as tutoring
Serving students with disabilities
High School Student Assistance Peers
National Health
Service Corps
• Dedicated to
serving the
Nation’s
underserved.
• Scholarship
program
• Loan repayment
program
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Visit:
http://.nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov
Resources for the Peer
Educator:
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Libraries
Schools
Teachers
World Wide Web
Your local Area Health Education Center
Textbooks
Parents
Summary:
Congratulations on
completing all 3 tiers of the
Youth Health Service Corps!