In Hidden Figures we learn that even brilliant individuals cannot change unjust systems alone.

This debate-driven case study uses Hidden Figures to explore System-Level Leadership and the courage required to challenge institutional barriers rather than just individual behavior.

This is not a movie worksheet.
It is a structured leadership lab.

Students examine how leadership operates inside institutions, how systems protect inequity, and what it takes to shift policy, culture, and power structures.

Students Will:

• Commit to a position before viewing
• Analyze scenario-based leadership dilemmas
• Build a leadership lens focused on systems thinking
• Track leadership decisions and their consequences
• Engage in structured discussion or debate
• Reflect on how leadership extends beyond individual action

Central Claim:

“Real leadership challenges systems, not just people.”

Students must decide whether they agree or disagree — and defend their position with evidence.

What’s Included:

Student Materials – Curated for the film Hidden Figures
• Position Commitment Sheet
• Scenario Analysis Sheet
• Build the Lens (Trait Development)
• Film Analysis Tracker – Structured Version
• Film Analysis Tracker – Guided Version
• Film Analysis Tracker – Open Version
• Final Reflection – Reckon

Teacher Guide – Curated for the film Hidden Figures
• Lesson flow for all modules
• Scenario discussion guidance
• Facilitation notes
• Structured debate options
• Reflection guidance

Includes both PDF and editable DOCX versions for your convenience.

Best For:

• Character Education
• Leadership Courses
• Civics / Government
• Advisory
• Social Studies
• Film Studies
• Grades 8–12

This Case File works beautifully as a 2–3 day mini-unit or as part of a larger Leadership Through Film series.

Students leave not just discussing a movie — but analyzing how real leadership changes structures that shape people’s lives.

The post Lead or Follow? Case File #9 – Hidden Figures first appeared on Tracie Joy.

Crisis Leadership | Debate-Driven Film Analysis | Grades 9–12

Apollo 13 – What does leadership look like when everything goes wrong?

This debate-driven case study uses Apollo 13 to examine crisis leadership through calm decision-making, collective problem-solving, and systems thinking under pressure.

This is not a movie worksheet.
It is a structured leadership lab.

Students will:

• Publicly commit to a position
• Analyze leadership decisions under uncertainty
• Evaluate preparation vs heroism
• Identify patterns and complications in real-time
• Defend their thinking using film-based evidence

Core Trait Focus:

Crisis Leadership
(Calm Under Pressure + Team-Based Problem Solving)

Central Claim:

“In a crisis, the strongest leaders stay calm, rely on their team, and make the best decision with the information they have.”

Students begin by choosing to agree or disagree with this claim. As the case unfolds, they revisit, challenge, and refine their thinking through structured scenarios and evidence-based debate.

What’s Included:

Full Teacher Guide
Structured Implementation Guide
Position Commitment Sheet
Scenario Analysis Sheet
Leadership Lens Builder
Film Trackers (Structured, Guided, and Open versions)
Final Reflection – Reckon
Debate Rubric

All materials are editable and designed for flexibility.

Instructional Design Features:

• Designed for 4–6 class sessions
• Works in traditional or block scheduling
• Multiple differentiation options
• Debate formats included (Four Corners or Fishbowl)
• Focuses on decision-making, not plot recall

Why Teachers Love This Series:

This case file builds:

• Critical thinking
• Evidence-based argumentation
• Leadership analysis
• Intellectual resilience

Students don’t just watch a film.
They wrestle with leadership.

This resource is ideal for:

• Social Studies
• Leadership courses
• Character Education
• Civics
• Advisory or enrichment blocks

If you’re looking for a high-engagement, academically structured way to teach leadership through film, this Case File delivers depth without busywork.

The post Lead or Follow? Case File #8 – Apollo 13 Crisis Leadership | Debate-Driven Film Analysis | Grades 9–12 first appeared on Tracie Joy.

A new look at The Pursuit of Happyness. What happens when ambition affects more than just the person pursuing it?

This case study from the Lead or Follow? program uses The Pursuit of Happyness to explore the tension between perseverance, responsibility, and risk. Students examine whether long-term vision remains admirable when others share the consequences.

This is not a movie worksheet.
It is a structured leadership lab.

Core Focus

Students commit to a position before viewing The Pursuit of Happyness.
They test their thinking through scenario-based dilemmas.
They build a philosophical lens.
They analyze leadership decisions and consequences.
They revisit and defend their position using evidence.

The goal is not to decide whether a character is “right” or “wrong.”
The goal is to define where ambition crosses the line — and support that belief with reasoning.

What’s Included

Complete Teacher Guide (5-module structure)
Structured debate framework
Scenario-based pre-viewing dilemmas
Student Commitment Sheet
Lens-Building Activity
Film Analysis Trackers (Structured, Guided, and Open formats)
Final Reflection Activity
Debate Rubric

You will receive:

• Teacher Guide in DOCX and PDF formats
• Student Materials in DOCX and PDF formats

Everything is editable and classroom-ready.

Designed For

Grades 9–12
4–6 class periods

Perfect for leadership courses, character education, film electives, advisory, or secondary ELA/social studies classrooms.

About the Lead or Follow? Program

The Lead or Follow? series uses film-based case studies to explore leadership, character, and decision-making. Each case file follows a consistent, structured format that builds critical thinking, discussion skills, and evidence-based reasoning.

The post Lead or Follow? Case File #7 The Pursuit of Happyness – Responsible Ambition Under Pressure first appeared on Tracie Joy.

This is not a movie worksheet.

Students begin by taking a binary position on the claim:

“No one is coming to save you but you.”

They publicly commit, analyze real-world leadership dilemmas, build a shared vocabulary, track leadership decisions throughout the film, and revisit their original thinking in a structured closing debate.

This Case File transforms Coach Carter into a leadership case study.

What Makes This Different?

• Debate-first structure
• Flexible pacing (4–6 sessions)
• Built-in differentiation
• Three film tracker formats
• Sub-day friendly modules
• Growth-focused reflection
• Simple, teacher-friendly rubric

This is not busywork.

This is structured engagement.

What’s Included

Teacher Guide

• About the Series philosophy page
• Implementation Guide
• Discussion norms and safety guidance
• Five-module instructional arc
• Differentiation notes
• Two side-switch options (dramatic or quiet)
• Simple 16-point debate rubric

Student Materials

• Position Commitment Sheet
• Scenario Analysis Sheet
• Leadership Styles Lens Builder
• Film Tracker (Structured Version)
• Film Tracker (Guided Version)
• Film Tracker (Open Version)
• Final Reflection – Reckon

Flexible Use Options

This Case File may be used:

• As a full leadership unit
• During film analysis weeks
• As a structured sub-day plan (Modules 2–4)
• In block or traditional schedules

You control the pacing.
The framework provides the structure.

Ideal For

• High school English
• Social Studies
• Advisory
• Leadership electives
• Character education programs
• Includes a ready-to-print PDF and an editable Word (.docx) version so you can adapt materials to fit your classroom.

The post Lead or Follow? Coach Carter A Debate-Driven Leadership & Character Development Case Study first appeared on Tracie Joy.