Career

Copy the Leader: Stephanie Wittman
Stephanie Wittman, d’10 is a Health and Strength and Conditioning teacher at Tonganoxie High School. We sat down with Stephanie to learn what leadership means to her.

Powered by

Jayhawks in leadership positions are everywhere you look, including through the Jayhawk Career Network. KU Alumni, in partnership with SumnerOne, is highlighting Jayhawk leaders who are models for others in their industries with our “Copy the Leader” program.

What do you do in your work?

I am a High School Health and Strength and Conditioning teacher at Tonganoxie High School and I also coach JV Girls Golf!

What are the qualities of a good leader?

I believe the qualities of a good leader can be different in all lines of professions. For an educator, a leader is someone who leads their school with the students and teachers best interest in mind. They listen, they are involved and they provide the safest learning and teaching environment for all students and staff.

How do you practice leadership at your job?
Leadership roles in the education field involve a lot of people. As a teacher, I want to show up every single day and do my absolute best for that day for every single student that I teach. It can be challenging to do that every day, but you have the opportunity to reach a different student that might need you on any given day.
What makes a team or group successful?

The most successful teams or groups I have been a part of have people who are willing to listen to others, compromise in some areas and then jump into their role that they find themself in as the groups grow and evolve. I think being a part of a team or club or group is highly beneficial to all people. When you are working in a team setting, you learn specific qualities that make you more appealing to future employers and also teach you soft skills and empathy.

How can leaders in your industry help their organizations adapt to change?
I am going into my 14th year of teaching and have been through many Admin turnovers. The best leaders that I have had are ones who don’t come in to a new situation and try to change it all in one week or month or year.  They listen to all staff members and really try to seamlessly make the changes that needed to be made.

Want to receive alumni and career stories like this in your inbox? Subscribe to the Water Cooler, a monthly career newsletter for alumni, students and friends. It includes upcoming events, featured mentors, stories about alumni and students, jobs and more.

More Headlines

Career
Copy the Leader: 2024 Year in Review

As 2024 comes to a close, we take a look back at the advice we heard this year from KU alumni leaders.

Jayhawks Give Back
KU Alumna Raising Hope and Funds for Child Cancer Research

What began as a family fight against cancer led KU alumna Kim Stanley on a personal journey of hope and advocacy for children’s cancer research.

News
Jayhawks support their communities with KU Cares Month of Service

Jayhawks in eight different cities came together to give back for the KU Cares Month of Service this November.

Driving with Jayhawks
Driving with Jayhawks: Allen Fieldhouse and KU Gateway projects

Get an inside look at the newly renovated Allen Fieldhouse and updates to the KU Gateway District project on this episode of Driving with Jayhawks!

Career
Copy the Leader: Fred Neis

Fred Neis, N'93, G'97, is a Senior Partner in Health Advisory at Korn Ferry. We sat down with Fred to learn what leadership means to him.

Driving with Jayhawks
Driving with Jayhawks: Watson Library Centennial

Carol Smith, Dean of KU Libraries, joins us to discuss the centennial celebrations around Watson Library, and the future of libraries at KU.

Flying Jayhawks
Flying Jayhawks: La Bella vita in Toscana

Read a firsthand trip of a Flying Jayhawks trip to experience the "Flavors of Northern Italy."

Alumni
KU Medical Center Alumni Association unites with KU Alumni Association to create one organization

On January 1, the integration will create a unified organization dedicated to serving all KU alumni.

News
Kyou Networking Week creates career connections

The 6th annual Kyou Networking Week brought hundreds of alumni together to make connections with Jayhawks in their network.

Welcome to the University
of Kansas Alumni Association

Your membership in the KU Alumni Association is the single most powerful way to make all of KU stronger, including the value of your own degree. Through your membership, the Association: