WNC Public Schools to Host Asheville Leadership Symposium

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Logos for HCPS, Henderson County Education Foundation, Buncombe County Schools, and BCS FoundationASHEVILLE N.C. (Feb. 25, 2020) – Neighboring Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) and Buncombe County Schools (BCS) and their education foundations are proud to serve as hosts for FranklinCovey’s Leader In Me Asheville Symposium on Feb. 27 and 28, showcasing leadership in Western North Carolina public schools.

Students, teachers, and administrators from six HCPS and six BCS schools will provide keynote speeches, lead interactive breakout sessions and panels throughout the two-day symposium at the Crowne Plaza Resort (1 Resort Drive, Asheville). Schools will also host attendees for on-campus showcase tours.

Developed by FranklinCovey in partnership with educators, Leader in Me is a whole-school transformation program, creating a culture of student empowerment by teaching 21st-century leadership and life skills to students. The nationwide symposiums are the most prominent and inspiring Leader In Me event series for educators interested in implementing the model in their schools.

Since 2017, the Henderson County Education Foundation and Community Foundation of Henderson County have been co-leading the effort to add more Leader in Me Schools in HCPS. In Buncombe County, Estes Elementary became the first Leader in Me School in 2014.

As of the 2019-20 school year, BCS is home to nine Leader In Me Schools with one set to begin training soon.  HCPS has 10, including two schools with Lighthouse status (Dana and Sugarloaf elementaries), and one of the few high schools nationwide that integrates the LEAD High School model into curriculum and culture (North Henderson High).

North Henderson’s Student LEAD Team will be presenting as a panel Thursday, sharing how Leader In Me has changed how they communicate and work with others and plan for their futures beyond graduation. Additional presentations will be led by students and staff from Dana Elementary, Fletcher Elementary, Mills River Elementary, Sugarloaf Elementary, and Apple Valley Middle.

BCS presentations will be led by students and staff from Emma Elementary, Glen Arden Elementary, and Koontz Intermediate schools. Session topics include “Leading with Class”, “Putting Leadership First,” and “Carefully Crafted Clubs.” Emma Elementary’s dance club, Raices, will perform as well.

Registered attendees will have the chance to see how eight schools have made Leader In Me their own, during school tours the first day of the Symposium.

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