From students to leaders: 4-H Teen Teachers program inspires the next generation

ULLIN, Ill. — 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, empowering nearly 6 million young people with the skills to go beyond the expected. To be Beyond Ready. Students who want to build leadership skills, strengthen communication, and serve as positive role models in their communities can become 4-H Teen Leaders.

Through the program, 4-H members gain work skills while also connecting with future academic and career opportunities. They are paired with high school teachers or staff who serve as program sponsors as they mentor 4-H members and facilitate classroom opportunities. The 4-H Teen Leaders develop their own teaching skills as they plan and implement hands-on experiences for school-age children. 

In early February, over 150 4-H Teen Leaders gathered at Shawnee Community College for a full-day training. During the event, groups rotated through different “train the trainer” sessions where they learned new lessons and activities from peer leaders. Teen leaders will return to their elementary school partners to reteach the lessons, practicing public speaking, planning, and time management in real-world settings. This peer-to-peer model reinforces teen learning while positively influencing younger students. This is one of five training sessions in the programmatic year for the teens. 

The day included other activities, including a presentation on Speaking for Illinois 4-H and the opportunity to participate in 4-H conference judging, which gave youth the chance to strengthen their communication skills, build confidence, and have the full-circle experience of showing a project as a 4-H member.

In southern Illinois, the program continues to grow as one of the most impactful youth development initiatives, engaging more than 200 teens from Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Union, Pulaski, Pope, and Hardin counties. During the 2024-2025 4-H year, the program reached more than 1,500 elementary youth across southern Illinois.

Seeing the program's success has intrigued staff from across the state, who are eager to implement similar programs in their counties. 4-H educators and program coordinators from over 20 counties attended the event, rotating throughout the breakout sessions to observe the peer-to-peer teaching opportunities. They also meet with local 4-H staff and southern Illinois teachers, who serve as 4-H club leaders, for a question-and-answer session about the program. 

Local 4-H Educator Kristi Stout has seen tremendous growth since the program launched locally over a decade ago. 

“When we launched 4-H Teen Leaders as 4-H Teen Teachers in 2014, we began with just 26 teens and a belief in what this age group could become. Today, more than 200 youth are involved, and that growth reflects the power of engagement, mentorship, and opportunity. Teen Leaders are our future, and keeping them connected to 4-H is a win for our communities. 4-H grows leaders who are work and life ready, and our 4-H Teen Leaders are truly Beyond Ready.” 

Through year-round programming, mentorship, hands-on leadership, and experiential learning, 4-H Teen Leaders gain practical life skills and exposure to higher education and professional pathways. From classroom instruction to camp experiences, lake trips, and college visits, the program prepares youth to succeed academically, professionally, and personally. The Teen Leader program continues to strengthen school-community partnerships, build confidence, and empower the next generation of leaders across southern Illinois. Learn more about local 4-H opportunities at 4h.extension.illinois.edu.