The Main Street Academy (TMSA) is introducing Brains Behind the Main, a new student-led leadership program designed to empower students to develop their leadership skills, influence their peers, and make a meaningful impact throughout the school community.
'Brains Behind the Main' reflects TMSA’s commitment to giving students authentic opportunities to take ownership, build confidence, and develop skills that will serve them inside and outside the classroom. Rather than simply learning about leadership, students will have opportunities to practice leadership. Through activities, collaboration, and classroom engagement, student leaders will learn how to communicate effectively, work with others, demonstrate resilience, and positively influence their peers. The program, led in part by TMSA school social worker Mrs. Lee and school counselor Mrs. Smallwood, will provide students with opportunities to grow as leaders through monthly sessions, hands-on activities, and peer-to-peer leadership experiences.
“Brains Behind the Main is a leadership-to-leadership program that will be student-led,” said Mrs. Lee, school Social Worker. “Students will participate in monthly sessions where they’ll learn different activities and develop leadership skills. They’ll then take what they’ve learned back to their classrooms and put those activities into action.”
At the center of the program is the meaning behind BRAINS: Building Resilient Academically Influential Noble Scholars. “Through Brains Behind the Main, we are building resilient, academically influential, noble scholars,” said Mrs. Smallwood, TMSA school counselor. “We want our students to recognize their ability to lead, influence others, and make a positive difference within their school and community.”
Recognizing the Staff Behind Brains Behind the Main
TMSA proudly recognizes the staff members who helped develop, shape, and support the launch of this new student-led initiative:
- Mrs. Lee, School Social Worker
- Mrs. Smallwood, School Counselor
- Ms. M. Bryan, Behavior Specialist
- Ms. Taylor, Director - Services for Exceptional Children
- Mr. Sobukwe,Teacher-6th Grade
- Dr. Goodson, Teacher - 8th Grade
- Ms. Joiner, Teacher - 7th Grade
We extend a special thank-you to everyone who contributed their time, ideas, expertise, and support to developing Brains Behind the Main. Their collaboration helped transform the vision for a student-centered leadership experience into a program that will provide students with meaningful opportunities to lead and grow.
Recognizing Our Student Leaders
TMSA proudly recognizes the inaugural student leaders participating in 'Brains Behind the Main':
5th Grade
- T. Murray
- M. Jones
- K. Harvey
- C. Scott
- C. Savage
- L. Martin
- A. Carter
- E. Sanchez
6th Grade
- N. Williams
- T. Gaither
- D. Oshoba
- T. Pitts
- P. Smith
- M. Frances
- A. Powell
- B. Brittian
7th Grade
- I. Ramirez
- E. Cherry
- Z. McCowan
- C. Williams
- A. Wilbourn
- B. Oliver
- K. Tucker
- K. Rivers
8th Grade
- C. Reeves
- G. Robinson
- M. Hunter
- M. Antone
- Z. Johnson
- B. Urquhart
- M. White
- K. Desrosiers
Celebrating Student Creativity
A special shout-out goes to D. Thomas and M. Hall, both eighth-grade students, for designing the official Brains Behind the Main logo. Their creativity helped give the program a visual identity that represents the spirit of student leadership.
As these student leaders step into their roles, they will have the opportunity to lead by example, encourage their peers, and help create a stronger culture of student leadership across The Main Street Academy.
Brains Behind the Main is more than a leadership program—it is a movement to build BRAINS: resilient, academically influential, and noble scholars who are ready to lead today and in the future.