Dr. Andy Szeto: The Summer Program That Taught Me Everything I Didn’t Know

Before I ever had a title, I learned what leadership really demands - adaptability, clarity, trust, and the courage to show up even when you feel unprepared. That first summer job, shared in the opening story below, became the foundation for everything I know about growing leadership in real schools, with real people, in real time.

My first real leadership experience did not come with a fancy title, but it came with real responsibility.

I was not even a teacher yet. I was 19 or 20, still in college, an aspiring high school social studies teacher, eager to start teaching and unsure how to get my foot in the door. So when someone asked if I would be willing to help work in a summer enrichment program, I said yes.

It was not what I expected at all.

Instead of the high school setting I envisioned, I found myself overseeing elementary school students, fifth graders to be exact, at a summer enrichment program. I had no prior experience teaching, let alone managing that age group. Suddenly, I had to think about things I had never considered before: planning enrichment activities, disciplining misbehaving tweens, figuring out safety and logistics.  How do you take two dozens ten-year-olds on the subway without losing one? I was in way over my head.

I honestly thought I got the job because I wore a tie to the interview. I assumed I would be helping out with snacks or supervising hallway transitions, basic support work, not leadership. So when I found out I would be both teaching and supervising, I was stunned. I remember thinking, Wait, I have to supervise adults too? That was not what I expected at all. But ready or not, I was responsible for a group of students, supported by two assistant teachers and several teenage helpers.

The goals, in my mind, were simple because they had to be. Make sure no one gets lost on field trips. Get through the academic work. Keep the students well-behaved. That, to me, was success.

But I quickly realized those goals were only the beginning. Each day pushed me to adapt, plan, and guide in ways I had not expected. I had help. Experienced teachers stepped in to show me how to organize a summer bazaar without it becoming chaos. I learned the rules of dodge ball from a colleague who had probably explained them a hundred times before. I picked up strategies for managing group dynamics, redirecting behavior without embarrassment, and making transitions smoother. I even learned how to make Rice Krispies treats, because sometimes leadership looks like helping with snack duty while building community.

There were no pre-made lesson plans. We built them from scratch. Each day was a blend of creativity and structure. I designed reading and math activities that were hands-on and engaging. I created bulletin boards that sparked conversation (yes, for summer camp). I planned and led field trips across the city, guiding students through crowded subway stations and unfamiliar neighborhoods.

As I watched more experienced colleagues handle chaos, build trust with kids, and adapt to the unpredictable, I started to realize that leadership was not about having all the answers. It was about showing up, asking better questions, and adjusting along the way. And surprisingly, I was good at that part.

That job taught me that engagement does not just happen; it is designed. Through routines, clear expectations, and environments where students feel safe and seen, I began to understand how much learning depends on thoughtful planning. I also learned what it means to guide other adults, especially when you are still figuring it out yourself.

I did not see myself as a leader. I saw myself as someone trying to help. But I was learning quickly-that is where leadership begins.

Looking back, I see how foundational that experience was. I learned about creativity, collaboration, and responsiveness. I learned how structure can support, not stifle, joyful learning. I learned to anticipate, to plan ahead, and to stay calm when things went sideways. I didn’t call it leadership at the time. That summer job was more than just a job. It sparked something in me, a commitment to instruction that is purposeful and student-centered, and a belief that leadership begins in the everyday moments when we choose to care, plan, and show up for others.

Before I ever had a classroom of my own, I was already learning how to lead.

My new book, Leading Before the Title: Growing Leadership Across Multiple Tracks, is written for emerging and experienced educators seeking practical, honest, and deeply human insights into how leadership develops long before anyone hands you a title.

Explore more of my work: Lead Forward, a Worthy Educator feature!

And see more writing and resources at drandyszeto.com!

More to come - thank you for reading and leading forward.

Lead Forward is an exclusive feature by Dr. Andy Szeto on The Worthy Educator. Check back regularly for new insights for aspiring leaders!

Coming out just in time for Christmas!

from Dr. Andy Szeto and The Worthy Educator Press!