The Power and Importance of Student Voice

James Layman, Director, Association of Washington Student Leaders
Jul 11, 2022

microphone on a stand in a classroom with out of focus students at desks


Seek to learn. Seek to elevate. Seek to understand. Seek to create.

They are watching. They are listening. They are observing. They are waiting for their moment to share their brilliance. Students are the best tag team partners to school leaders. Students are the largest stakeholders in our school communities. Every year it becomes clearer that from kindergarten through their senior year, our students are plugged in to what is going well and what could use some TLC within our schools.

I always ask, “Have you asked your students yet?” This question opens the door to possibilities and discoveries. Students are the experts at being students. I will say that again so that it can truly marinate… students, are the experts at being students. Adults are no longer the experts; they are. We get to use our lived experiences and positionality to support students achieve academic and social success.

This brilliant article highlights the importance of student voice and why our role as adults and school leaders is essential in creating a culture where students can share, teach, and become our best tag team partners in creating the schools we all hope to experience.


  • AWSL
  • Student Voice
  • Student Leadership (AWSL)
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