Birmingham's new leader is recruiting the city's army of school teachers in a bid to help transform communities and neighbourhoods.
Coun John Clancy, a former secondary school English and drama teacher, issued an email to all teaching staff in Birmingham, saying he valued their role and their contribution to the city mattered.
He is urging them, and through them children, to come forward with ideas and work with the council to make Birmingham a better place to live.
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It is part of his big society-style campaign to encourage all individuals and groups to play a part in improving their community.
The Labour leader said: "Each school in this city is a place that matters and everyone in each school matters too.
"Your contribution matters and your ideas matter.
"Your children matter too. This city council needs to become one which has to start doing things with the city, rather than to the city. We will meet our challenges and opportunities together."
He outlined his background in teaching - with 25 years as a secondary school teacher in Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley. His wife Rachel and mother are also teachers.
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"So education and schools have been key driving forces in my life. They have guided my politics too," he said.
"Civic leaders aren't just elected politicians or administrators. Civic leaders can be found in all our schools: certainly our teachers and support staff and civic leaders can be found among our children."
The move is inspired by last year's Kerslake review of the council which found it did not work well in partnership with the city and its institutions.
The council tended to dictate to communities, businesses and other public agencies rather than collaborate,