Upward Holds First Annual Leadership Day

In their first year of implementing Franklin Covey’s The Leader In Me leadership development program, Upward Elementary invited parents into classrooms and the cafeteria Thursday to see just how the school – and students – have transformed.

In learning about the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” students have been incorporating character development skills that are developing them into student leaders.

In fact, each student was awarded at least one leadership award by their classroom teachers during the school’s first annual Leadership Day, acknowledging their growth this academic year.

Fifth-grader Jasmine M. said her teacher gave her a “Leaving A Legacy” award, which recognizes all the work she’s put into the Upward community.

“That means the teachers here will remember me,” said Jasmine, who will be leaving Upward for middle school next year.

Like many 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at Upward, Jasmine holds leadership positions in the school as an “Eagle Leader” – for which she had to apply and interview. School Counselor Gloria Anderson created a bulletin board of job descriptions – including Library Leaders, Morning Safety Patrol, and Tour Guides – with applications for students to complete.

The application asked why students are interested in a certain job, what past experiences and character traits prepare them for the job, and which of the 7 Habits would be the most important to perform the job well.

Additionally, each student had to present “references” from teachers and were interviewed by a panel.

“We’re trying to make it as real-world as possible,” Anderson said.

Jasmine proudly listed the three Eagle Leader positions she holds; as member of the Flag Team, she helps raise the American flag each morning, and as a Backpack Crew member, she helps deliver lunches to students.

She’s also a Kindergarten Buddy – a role that Anderson said was one of the most coveted at Upward.

“On Tuesdays I go down to help the kindergartners tie their shoes before P.E.,” Jasmine explained.

In other classrooms on Thursday, students earned awards such as “Most Helpful” and “Most Diligent.” In Diane Norgan’s 5th grade class, awards were given to students based on peer recommendations that came from the students themselves.

Norgan said, “I thought that since they are learning the 7 Habits, it would be good for them to see how they’re applied,” and recognize their classmates’ character.

Jasmine can already describe how she applies her favorite habit, Habit 3: Put First Things First.

“It’s helped me by trying to make a plan for (each) week,” said Jasmine, whose competitive dancing sometimes mean she needs to work ahead in class.

“Sometimes I have to miss school on Fridays because of competitions,” and Habit 3 helps her prioritize her schedule, she said.

For more information on The Leader In Me in Henderson County Public Schools, visit Henderson County Education Foundation’s website.

– By Molly McGowan Gorsuch
Public Information Officer