Leadership Dos and Don'ts, Featuring Buffy the Vampire Slayer

One of my all-time favorite shows is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This coming-of-age story features a teenage girl who gets chosen to be the one and only vampire slayer. I am currently rewatching the show and couldn’t help but connect it to my love of teaching.

An essential character in the series is Rupert Giles, Buffy’s watcher. Every vampire slayer is given a watcher, whose job entails guiding their slayer, demonstrating required skills and informing them on proper technique. So… the watcher is a teacher. While Giles starts the series as Buffy’s watcher, he (spoiler alert!) eventually loses his position to Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. Wesley’s position means nothing to the slayer, as he is constantly overlooked by Buffy and her friends. Although Giles lost his title, he is still the adult Buffy looks to the most for guidance. Why is this? Because he displays leadership that teachers should aim for. 

Building relationships as a priority

While Wesley scarcely asks about Buffy’s day-to-day life, Giles becomes involved in Buffy’s safety, studies, and frequently joins her on the battlefield. Wesley’s priority is being seen as authority, but Giles leads with compassion. 

The most powerful tool a teacher can use in the classroom is relationship-building. When educators show their students that they are a priority, they are far more likely to follow rules and show compassionate leadership themselves. I can think of a handful of students I have connected with in my short time where my relationships with them made all the difference. I smile when I think of one of my students who started the year with outlandish behaviors, calling out and rolling on the floor; now, he works each week to prove his abilities and leaves with a smile, because I demonstrate my caring for him.

Giving students agency

Our students crave the chance to show what they know. Wesley spends his time explaining rather than asking questions. Telling instead of asking shows our students we have low expectations and leads to complacency- they know you will give the “correct answer”. When we challenge students to problem solve by themselves, we give them a chance to prove what they know and improve their confidence. Music teachers can easily do this by providing time in class to let students explore, and connect their musical knowledge to new skills.

Explain the why behind the rules

When Wesley takes charge, his number one priority is following the watcher council’s rules to the tee. Meanwhile, Buffy is a student who consistently questions authority, and why rules are made. Our students practice critical thinking when they ask why schools and classrooms function by specific routines. While some may see this as disrespect, I see it as an opportunity for meaningful discussion. When my students ask me, I often put the question straight back on them. For example, I had a student ask me, “Why are we starting holiday music before Thanksgiving?” I restated the question, and encouraged other students to raise a hand and explain what they thought. This initiated a conversation on time management in performance repertoire, which will prove vital as they join ensembles, perform solo, or even for use in other hobbies. 

Own up to your mistakes

In moments of panic, Wesley will often make mistakes. When questioned about his choices, however, he worsens these errors by getting defensive. Giles often opens up to Buffy, and apologizes when he makes a mistake, however difficult this skill may be. I notice my inner “Wesley” comes out most often in moments like this. To avoid shame, embarrassment, or disrespect, we often hide these mistakes behind blame. Even the most practiced musicians make mistakes, and by owning up to them in front of your students, you show them your honesty and openness. 

Luckily for Wesley, he opens up the more the series continues. While he is not a long-running character on the show, his impact was still felt by myself and others, especially educators who relate to his shortfalls. I strongly believe the Wesleys of the world can open up and find strength in connection, instead of authority. If you take one thing from this- be a Giles.