Wanted: A leader. A group definitely needs a leader and tends to look for one; just as nature detests a vacuum and tends to fill it. And that is why for teachers and instructors, leadership is a must. But most teachers do not understand the idea of the leadership vacuum so they usually lose control of their classroom. The very first time you step inside a classroom, automatically you would be expected to assume the role of a leader. But if you refuse to accept this role, you would build a leadership vacuum that will not be permitted. Somebody else would fill that vacuum.

That vacuum can be filled with anybody like little Danny (or Diana) who is a natural born leader. Hence, he had no other choice but to take over and take charge of the classroom not because he wanted to, but because he had to. However, if you quit your position of being the person in charge, you will now be at the mercy of whoever stepped in to replace that position. You would be allowed to push through with the lesson plan if the new leader likes the subject being presented. But you won’t be allowed to proceed with it if the new in charge doesn’t like the idea being offered.

Nevertheless, you still have two alternatives: 1.) Do the things the leader would only approve or 2.) Still push through and proceed with the intended plans even without permission. If you choose the first option—doing an activity duly approved by the director, you will get his support and eventually will result in unity and success. However, attached with this success is a hefty price you have to pay—you have already surrendered your leadership in the classroom. On the contrary, if you opt for the second choice which is to pursue and persist even without permission, it will result in confusion and disorder.

You would spend the most of your time trying to discipline the chief at the same time trying to maintain peace and order. And in the process, you’d more or less lose your temper, naturally. The students (or group of students) now who stepped forward and filled in the vacuum in leadership will now dominate and control the classroom and it would be his (or their) concepts and goals that would be planned and achieved. The rest of the students in the meantime would simply follow the ideas and course of action of this person (or groups) because he is the leader and deserving to be followed and respected.

Remember, you are no longer the leader. If this new leader does not enjoy certain activities or subjects but you still keep on presenting them, well then, be prepared for commotion. However, if the new in charge is somebody who excels in academics, then count yourself lucky because most likely it would be a successful year ahead of you. There will always be a leader but just disregard the leadership vacuum at your own risk. If you want to be a successful teacher, you can’t expect the students to follow and obey you just because you’re the teacher. You have to realize that you should give every member of your class a reason to follow you.