Middlesboro Elementary School embarked on The Leader in Me journey two years ago. We wanted to build our students’ skills and self-confidence to succeed as leaders in the 21stCentury. The Leader in Me was created to teach and develop leadership skills in children. It consists of 7 habits that children follow to become the best leaders they can be.
In 2014, the Middlesboro Elementary Faculty attended a summer training where they underwent intensive training in the 7 habits concept. They spent four days working with a specialist from Franklin Covey who taught them how to utilize the 7 habits in their own lives and how to teach the students to become successful leaders.
We are in our third year of incorporating The Leader in Me and we have seen great progress in our students' growth as leaders. They have been taught how to look someone in the eye when they are spoken to, how to properly greet someone when they enter the classroom, how to take charge of their decisions and mistakes and how to resolve conflicts on their own. Students have also taken leadership roles throughout the school. If you drive by the school each morning, you will see two young men placing the American flag on the flagpole, other students are delivering morning announcements over the school intercom, older students are helping younger students to class, and a group of students are gathering at the front entrance on Friday mornings to help place signs in front of the school to show school spirit and support for our high school football team. These are only a few of the roles that our students have taken. We are also very proud of our students for their participation in The Leader in Me Regional Student Day held in Corbin at the end of each year.
As part of The Leader in Me program, we conduct Monday Morning Meetings each week at school. These meetings take place in every hallway and last 10-15 minutes. Our final meeting of the month is held in the school gymnasium and students are recognized for being the “Leader of the Month”. Once a year we have a Leadership Day for the community. This day is designed to allow community members to get a glimpse into The Leader in Me. Visitors attend a short program in the gym, followed by a school tour lead by the students. While touring the school, guests interact with students in the classroom and ask them any questions they may have concerning The Leader in Me. This year’s Leadership Day will be November 22.