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Teachers have big hearts. They have visions. They have dreams. For one Oak Run Middle School teacher, he took his heart, his vision and a dream and brought his students along with him. Kyle Polk, Student Leadership teacher at ORMS, has taken skills that could simply be taught in the classroom with leadership books and response essays and has gone to another level. He has inspired students to look beyond themselves and apply what they are learning in the classroom to the real world.
Just three months ago, the Guadalupe River went out of its boundaries, sweeping away summer camps and communities in its path. In response, Texans from across the state united in cleanup efforts, providing first aid and vital resources to those affected. As recovery continued, Polk’s vision was sparked and the thought of what a day of fun and escape from reality would look like for students at Center Point Elementary in Center Point, just outside of Kerrville.
Center Point Elementary Student Leadership Story, Laura Best – ORMS Teacher
Polk empowered his middle school students to lead with purpose and he shared his vision with his students. Polk challenges his students to rise above expectations and lead with compassion, proving that leadership has no age limit. On October 3, ORMS Student Leadership classes made their way to provide a fun-filled day for the students at Center Point Elementary.
“In Student Leadership, we aim to learn through real life application as much as possible,” Polk said. “This field trip is the embodiment of many of our learning objectives, but especially servant leadership. In class, we define that as putting others before ourselves.”
The parents of Student Leadership students have contributed around $2,000 collectively, Rudy’s BBQ has donated breakfast tacos and Whataburger has given a generous discount on lunch for 230 people.
“There are many small things as well, such as the San Antonio Spurs contributing a basketball hoop for one of our stations. All the contributions and collaboration help illustrate to my students, and to the community at Center Point, the fact that when bad things happen, we can find strength and support in our community,” Polk said. “I’m very proud of my students, and so grateful to our community and to my colleagues at ORMS for the many things that have been done to make this trip a reality.”
“This field trip to me is a chance to give back to a community that has lost so much. This field trip will bring back a little bit of joy after the flood took so much. From this experience, I can learn to be grateful because someone is always in a worse situation,” said ORMS student Alyssa Rangel. “I’m most excited about getting to see the kids happy, and for some, it could be the most they had in a while.”
What started as one teacher’s vision became a powerful lesson in leadership and service. Polk’s students learned that true leadership is about helping others, working together, and making a difference. Their day at Center Point Elementary showed that even middle schoolers can inspire hope, bring joy, and lead with heart.
