For 17 years teacher Matt Hamilton has been operating a leadership club out of East Jordan (Mich.) Middle/High School. The Shoe Club is open to any seventh or eighth grader who commits to reading the book Value Up, writes an essay about what they learned and sets 10 goals they want to pursue.
Hamilton says when he started the club he didn't want there to be any GPA requirements. Students simply needed to commit to bettering themselves. To this end, shoes are a useful metaphor. What does the path to achieving your goals look like? What can you learn by considering what it means to walk in someone else’s shoes? Hamilton's Shoe Club wants kids to value themselves, reach their goals and help others in the process.
