ReadThis April Hurricane Deck Elementary students, Pre-K to 4th grade, were involved in the first ever Student Led Conferences. This is the first and only elementary school in the district to host this type of event. This is a direct result of the work we are doing through The Leader in Me framework. The Leader in Me is based on the work of Dr. Stephen Covey and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. As a building, we determine how we are going to teach the 7 Habits, how we are going to develop leadership roles, etc. The basic premises to this process is that it is not a privilege for a child to have a leadership role—it is their right to have leadership roles. It is the responsibility of the staff to help the students to identify their strengths and provide them opportunities to practice that skill. We must seek those traits out and build upon them.
The conference began with a short program of students speaking to the audience about the Leader in Me traits, how they personally strive to achieve them and how following a leadership role has helped them become better students in the classroom and citizens in the community. The students and parents then moved to the classrooms where students presented to their parents work they have done throughout the year, goals they have reached, and celebrations they have shared in their classrooms. Teachers and staff stood proudly off to the side and watched their students take the lead in showing ownership of their accomplishments.
Dr. Covey once said that, “Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves.” This is what our mission is for your child. These Student Led Conferences are the perfect opportunity for family to witness the self-confidence and growth in their child.
To the parents—for the Leader in Me process to continue to grow and become stronger we need your continued support at home. Please use the 7 Habit language with your child whenever possible.
