This week I met a very inspirational first grader, Ellie, at the Michigan The Leader in Me Symposium. Ellie attends Beaumont Elementary, a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. It was so cool to meet such a small person with such big aspirations.

When I asked Ellie to tell me her story, she explained that while reading a story with her Mom about Africa, she noticed the people were drinking dirty wate...

As you walk into each of the Lighthouse Schools, you can literally “feel” the difference. This holds true for Beaumont Elementary. Leadership is ubiquitous; from the moment you approach the school, to every hallway, common area, and classroom. Students, parents, staff members, and visitors can tell immediately that Beaumont is thriving in their culture of Leadership.
Attached pictures include f...

I began using data notebooks with my students this year. We have been collecting and keeping track of student growth, as well as successes and challenges in both academic and personal areas. Our conferences are held in mid-November and are only 13 minutes long.  I have tried student-led conferences in the past with some success so this year I tried something new. I scheduled the student- led po...

On November 28th, I was informed that we were getting a new student to our classroom on November 30th.  I was going to be out of the building on the day before and asked the students in my leadership cabinet to get together and plan a welcome for her while I was gone.  When I returned they showed me what they came up with.  They had prepared a welcome poster and a speech to read to our new stud...

A grade 4 class at our school did their own "Leo Cams." The main character is a girl so their version is "Leanne Cams." It was an entire class effort. The students practiced the 7 Habits, public speaking, drama, Language Arts, Technology, and Art to make this happen. Absolutely Priceless!

Mike Fritz, Principal

Joseph Welsh School, Alberta, Canada

Student accountability is being greatly increased when teachers partner students with accountabillibuddies. Here’s how it works.
Leadership notebooks are a great tool for helping students track goals and academic achievement. However, the deeper impact comes when students verbally articulate their progress. The ultimate opportunity for students to verbally discuss their leadership notebooks is t...

As 2011 comes to a close, and we only have a couple of days left in this semester for my students, wanted to drop a quick "hello"! Yesterday's Kindergarten/Elementary Christmas Performance featured an adaptation of a true story the students felt fit our Shine and Share theme: a poor little girl worked hard to save up 57cents to donate to the nearby church that allowed her to join their Sunday s...

1. Teamwork
2. Problem solving
3. Interpersonal skills
4. Oral communication
5. Listening
6. Personal and career development
7. Creative thinking
8. Leadership
9. Goal setting and motivation
10.Writing

"When we listen with the intent to understand others, rather than with the intent to reply, we begin true communication and relationship building. Opportunities to then speak openly and to be understood come much more naturally and easily. Seeking to understand takes consideration; seeking to be understood takes courage. Effectiveness lies in balancing the two."            Stephen R. Covey

The link below is of video showing highlights of a recent Leadership Day. This event was yet another amazing day for everyone involved! Students were able to practice and share their leadership skills, staff came together and felt good about the accomplishments  of the school, and participants were given a day packed full of examples, modeling,  and information.

Check it out!
http://www.rockwood....

Yesterday I attended an amazing Leadership Day at one of our Lighthouse Schools—Beaumont Elementary in Waterford, MI.  During part of the day, the children eagerly explained each of the habits to the attendees by sharing some of the classroom and home projects they had completed.

Spinning off an idea from Sean Covey’s monthly newsletter, one very creative teacher sent home a pig stuffed animal f...

Upon walking into Stanton Elementary, a K–5 elementary school located in Fenton, Missouri, one can actually feel the leadership culture. The environment is vibrant and students and staff alike are happy to be there.

Stanton’s journey with The Leader in Me began a couple of years ago. According to Principal Matt Miller, Stanton Elementary had always been a good school with high teacher satisfact...

Individuals, families, teams, and organizations shape their own future by creating a mental vision and purpose for any project, large or small. They don't just live day to day with no clear purpose in mind. They identify and commit themselves to the principles, relationships, and purposes that matter most to them.
                                                        - Stephen R. Covey

Each Friday, we meet as a staff to discuss how the 7 Habits have impacted our school community and our personal lives. Guests were invited to participate in "WINCHESTER'S SPEED LEADING." Yes, it is a spoof on "Speed Dating!"

Each visitor sits with six different groups of Winchester teachers who tell them about the cultural change in our building since beginning The Leader in Me.  At the end, we...

Our WIG for this year is "Pawsitive Comments to Parents" . Our goal is over 3800 positive comments to parents about their children year .  We have been working on this for one week now.

This morning in our elementary WIG session we logged 27 positive comments from our 8 elementary teachers.  We will have WIG sessions with the paraprofessionals after school today and the HS WIG session will be o...

Central Elementary School staff synergized and put a float in the homecoming parade based on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  The theme was "Just Roll with It" based on board games.  The float's theme was "CES Rolling with the 7 Habits" with a monopoly background.  Staff sat on and walked by the float to support the CES Football team and also create an awareness of the great things hap...