Mrs Hack Leadership Style

Never in a million years did I think someone could open me up to the potential I had to be a leader. My mindset was, “Why would I want to be a leader when I could quietly watch from the sidelines?” After I did not make the dance team in seventh grade I felt incapable of making the team in eighth grade. Mrs. Hack, the new coach that year, proved me wrong. She has helped me to grow as a person, recognize my ability to be a leader, and supplied me with a second family. Honestly, I can not thank her enough. Over the course of a year and a half she has taught me a lot about what I am really like. Last year I was one of the first people to receive dancer of the month. I had not realized what that had truly meant. I now know that I had achieved
that accomplishment not only because of my dedication to dance, but because I had the ability to put a smile on a teammate's face or learned that patience is key. She puts the pictures of us in our shirts on Facebook and then explains why she gave us dancer of the month. Under mine she said that I have shown great improvement and I have really grown into the dancer and woman that she has hoped for me to become. On this year's dancer of the month for me she said that I have stepped into the shoes of a leader and yet again shown the potential she expects. This year I was amazed and grateful to take on the role of captain. Because she had given me the opportunity to be a captain my eyes were open to a whole different team.
During our basketball practices was where I noticed most of the change. Being their captain meant I was no longer a girl who messed around, but the one who brought the team back to the topic at hand. To my surprise this change had benefited me. I had a chance to lead and recognize problems. Although these changes were most evident during basketball I also noticed them when it came to the attitudes of some of my teammates and myself during competitive. Mrs. Hack made these changes evident to every one of my teammates during a practice that I will never forget. We were at a jazz practice running through our parts when almost as if in slow motion Mrs Hack began to yell. We all stopped frozen to the ground. I could feel the color rush to my feet as I was rooted to the ground. “No one is allowed to talk to Lauren or correct her,” she said sternly, “I have seen bullying going on towards her, and I do not want to see it any longer.” As she was talking I slowly nodded my head not able to break eye contact with her. She was absolutely right. We were being bullies whether we knew it or not. After that practice I viewed my role as a captain differently thanks to her
insight.
I view Mrs.
Hack as a second mother and my team and my second family. Without Mrs. Hack I would not be friends with most of the girls. We have come up with and carried on some amazing traditions that I hope will stay within the family forever. My favorite is our yearly lock-in. We get the whole grade school to ourselves for games, movies, and team bonding. The gigantic sleep over is one of the reasons I am so comfortable around them. The most memorable and touching tradition is our pre performance prayer. We circle up holding hands and stick our right feet in the middle. Then one person starts off with a prayer and then we each say our own prayer. I love love love this because it reminds me of how lucky and blessed I am to have been given this team and coach. The bond I have with my coach is constantly growing, and I know that if I ever have I problem I can come to her for
guidance.
In the end I really appreciate having her in my life. I would not be the person I am today without her support. My leadership skills as well as social skills have grown thanks to her. She is not only my mentor but my family. I hope that others will have the chance to be taught and shaped as a dancer and person by Mrs. Hack like I have.