Helping students to thrive academically, as well as encouraging the leader within, is what the program is all about. In the Fall of 2024, it will be fully implemented. The program is called the Leader in Me, and Stephens County School System received a $362,000 grant to be able to offer it.
It is a curriculum published by Franklin Covey, adapted for schools, and based on the book called 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. During the 2023-2024 school year, administrators and teachers are in training to learn how to use the program to help develop a high-trust culture of academics and leadership for students.
The Stephens County School System was one of several school systems in Georgia chosen to participate in this program through the Georgia Department of Education selection process.
“It was an honor to be selected for such a distinguished program,” says Dr. Connie Franklin, Stephens County Superintendent.
The program is for students in preschool through 8th grade.
“Part of our commitment to student success is making sure our students are future-ready, and this includes making sure they have the soft skills necessary to succeed in life like communicating effectively, setting goals, solving problems, and making responsible decisions,” adds Franklin.
Funding expansion across the state
In 2015, Macon-Bibb County launched a Leader in Me pilot program in two schools. The system introduced the program countywide in 2018.
Last year, the Georgia Department of Education allocated $2.5 million to expand the Leader in Me model. The department delivered instructional materials to 28 schools in 11 school districts across the state, according to the state Senate Press Office.
“What our community experienced in Bibb County was no accident. The success of this program was a direct result of public and private partners coming together to improve educational outcomes in our community. I am excited to see this funding go towards expanding these opportunities for Georgia’s children around the state,” Rep. Robert Dickey (R-Musella) said when the funding was approved.
‘Already seeing the impact’ in Stephens County
The Leader in Me model encompasses the educator, student, and family through varied resources. The learning modules present students with learning opportunities in different mediums.
According to Franklin, testimonies from other school systems talk about the impact the program has had on their students. They say it develops self-learning skills, and as the student grows, leadership potential becomes more apparent.
April James, Stephens County’s Director of School and Community, says, “We are already seeing the impact of what this program can do while we are still in the training process.”
The Leader in Me curriculum is taught in more than 7,000 schools in over 50 countries worldwide, according to the FrankCovey Education website. If you are interested in learning more about the program, visit Leader in Me.
