“I have been facilitating, Being the Change thru the Lens, a weekly seminar in a Northern Colorado 6-12th grade school for over a year. I teach students basic photography skills through hands on work with cameras and mutli-media art techniques which is integrated with Transformative Leadership, a shared-model of leadership that cultivates personal and societal transformation. I see the youth of today as the catalyst for change….for positive change in all areas of life. When accompanied and empowered by a framework that cultivates and releases individual and collective power, youth are “the change we wish to see in the world”. As a life long learner and facilitator of Transformative Leadership and photography, I am witness to the society-building power imbued within youth when their capabilities are nurtured and spaces are created for learning and expression. It is my hope that the following photo posts will inspire others to support our youth to “be the change” though personal and social transformation.” With gratitude, Jessica

I began presenting Transformative Leadership and photography to youth in October 2019 in a school in Fort Collins, Colorado. With support and accompaniment from Joan Hernandez, co-author of Transformative Leadership Developing the Hidden Dimension and Vahid Masrour, Transformative Leadership facilitator from Nur University, I created lessons that empowered youth to explore the 6 elements and 18 capabilities. Essential to our journey was to integrate photography and multi-media art. What started out as one seminar for 6 weeks has now evolved into two seminars (classes) weekly, one where students learn photography and the other is dedicated to a deeper study of Transformative Leadership by exploring mental models of human nature and society and regularly practicing the six elements and 18 capabilities .

The 6 elements and 18 capabilities of the Transformative Leadership model is expressed through visual arts and exhibited by students 4 times a year. During our 3 week seminars, lessons on Transformative Leadership are facilitated to students who want to better their personal, interpersonal and social relationships by developing capabilities that foster unity and cooperation.

The following images highlight the groups learning and reflection on action and will provide an account of how youth are currently engaged in Transformative Leadership. They are not in any particular order at this time. As more content is added it is my vision that a more cohesive approach will unfold.