As a teacher, we are always given new initiatives and with it comes worries and frustrations. The unknown is hard. However, once my class started implementing iLead and the students started to open up with themselves and each other, those fears vanished. It has been amazing to see the students validate each other's feelings. The best experience for me has been having my AP students facilitate for a younger freshman class. Because they didn't know the kids personally, they spent the time to get to know each of them and as it was their turn to answer or read they would give words of encouragement. Their teacher said that the freshman had never participated in the same manner as when the older students were their facilitators. They really took ownership of their group and made sure that everyone was heard and felt comfortable.