By Payton Tholstrup

Photo courtesy of CCCMS

A program that is new to Clay Center Community Middle School (CCCMS) is helping students develop leadership skills that will last them a lifetime.

The program, called Leader in Me, was first used in a school setting in 1999 when a principal used Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits for Highly Effective People to help students and staff develop leadership skills.

From there, the idea took off. Soon, many schools throughout the United States were using the 7 Habits to help teach life skills and empower leaders. The program officially launched in 2008 with the book, Leader in Me.

Marah Koster and Courtney Pfizenmaier, teachers at CCCMS, are the school’s Leader in Me Coordinators. They said the framework of the program is the belief that everyone can lead.

“It encourages student and staff leadership, fosters a culture of trust, and boosts academic success.”

The program is taught during PAWS, where students begin each school day. PAWS classes have been part of CCCMS since 2004. Students stay with their assigned teacher for all 3 years of middle school and is like a homeroom class.

“The CCCMS teachers decided at the beginning of the school year to teach these lessons during PAWS. They looked at the scope and sequence of the lessons and used this as a guide to plan lessons for the school year,” said Koster. Lessons are taught three times per week.

Two of the three lessons are taught within the individual PAWS teacher’s class. The third lesson is co-taught with another PAWS class. Pfizenmaier and Koster said the students are enjoying the switch up mid-week. Teachers can work together and share their knowledge about the important pillars of the program.

“We just started teaching direct lessons with students in August, but teachers have noticed that students are feeling empowered to lead and make positive change in our school. There are several PAWS classrooms where students have taken a leadership role and are teaching lessons to their peers.”

The program uses the “See-Do-Get” Theory of Change Model. See includes the core paradigms; part includes the 7 Habits; and get includes measurable results. Students are learning how to set goals, work with others, and even reflect on their learning.

Previously, CCCMS had tried a ‘lite’ version of Leader in Me, where teachers attended seminars and professional development.

“Unfortunately, Leader in Me is very hard to implement successfully without purchasing the framework and the support that comes with it. When the Board of Education approved the purchase of the materials and coaching for Leader in Me, CCCMS was very excited,” said Koster.

Having materials, lessons, and resources available for the program has been a game changer, especially for staff.

“They aren’t spending time searching for something or coming up with their own lessons. Everything we need is available through our account on Leader in Me’s website.”

Koster and Pfizenmaier said these types of programs, where students are learning life and employability skills, are essential to their success not just in middle school, but beyond.

“We are very excited to see how our action teams work on their specific goals to benefit all at CCCMS.”