Wednesday, January 22, 2025
www.thepapersonline.com
Serving Kosciusko County and parts of Elkhart, Marshall & Noble Counties
Know Your Neighbor . . . . . 2➤ Good Neighbors . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Vol. 54, No. 31
Milford (574) 658-4111 • Warsaw (574) 269-2932 • Syracuse (574) 457-3666
LEADERSHIP BUDDIES — Fifth graders at Harrison Elementary School work with kindergartners on their leadership portfolios and book reviews. Having older students working
114 W. Market, Warsaw, Indiana 46580
with younger students is part of the “Leader in Me” curriculum being used in both Harrison and Lincoln Elementary Schools. Photo provided by Harrison Elementary School.
Harrison, Lincoln Elementary Schools
GROWING INTO LEADERSHIP ACADEMIES By LAUREN ZEUGNER Staff Writer Thanks to a superintendent’s vision in being responsive to the demographics of specific elementary schools, Harrison and Lincoln Elementary Schools are becoming leadership academies through the “Leader in Me” curriculum, based on Steven Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People .” “Leader in Me” was developed after a teacher approached Covey asking how “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” could be taught to children . Matt Deeds, principal of Harrison Elementary School, explained the kids are taught the seven habits as to how to set goals . The first three habits, be proactive, begin and end with the mind, have a plan and put first things first, such as work first, then play, and focus on setting goals . Deeds gave the example of a student becoming a better reader and how they would break that goal into steps, such as reading more at home, so they can accomplish that goal . The fourth habit is “think winwin .” Everyone can win by discussing problem solving . The fifth habit is “seek first to understand, then to be understood: listen before you talk .” The sixth habit is “synergize: together is better .” The seventh habit is “sharpen the saw: balance is best .” “We teach ABCs and 123s,” Deeds
er in Me” habits . said . “We teach Hutchinson said S .T .E .M . Colleges want the empathy students who piece of the program is huge as are emotionally intelligent it builds empathy with chilas well as academically indren and famitelligent .” lies . The “Leader “If a kid in Me” curricgets in trouble, ulum starts in they’re more kindergarten . willing to discuss what hap“We embed pened,” Stouder it into everything . It’s a way said . to live when we If a student is problem solve,” acting out or being a distraction said Hiliary in the classroom, Stouder, principal of Lincoln their peers are Elementary quick to remind MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS — A Lincoln Elementary School School . them they aren’t student uses the PA system for morning announcements. Through the The result is acting like lead“Leader in Me” program, which both Lincoln and Harrison Elementary ers . the kids decide Schools are using, students can now apply and interview for jobs, “It changhow they are such as morning announcements, giving building tours and serving on es the whole going to learn school council. Photo provided by Lincoln Elementary School. climate of the best . classroom,” “You’ve got Hutchinson said . first graders Me,” he opens the assembly and Other ways students are taking giving (school) tours . You want stu- then student leaders take over . dents to take ownership and lead,” “The transformation in two years ownership of their school environsaid Maria Hutchinson, sixth grade is significant,” Deeds said . Students ment is through student council . teacher at Lincoln . “The hope is are setting goals for themselves Deeds had students interested in being on the student council apply they take those leadership skills and figuring out the actionable and be interviewed . they learn in elementary school steps they need to take to achieve Stouder said other roles are chilinto middle school and beyond .” The idea behind “Leader in Me” that goal . The students even have dren applying and going through is the kids are more invested and accountability partners where sixth an interview process to be chosen want to be an active part of school . graders are partnered with kinder- for morning announcements, building tours and assisting new stuAs an example, Deeds pointed to garteners . And it’s not just the kids . Teach- dents as they settle into their new the “Harrison Huddle,” a monthly assembly . Thanks to “Leader in ers and staff also live out the “Lead- classrooms .
The result said Ashley Starkweather, assistant principal at Harrison Elementary, is “a huge culture change . It feels more emphatic . The kids take a second look to find a solution .” While both elementary schools are early in the program, results are being seen . Students are finding their niche, but having them build leadership skills has allowed them to help fellow students who may have a behavior issue or seek them out to play at recess . Kids are more willing to take a risk . Stouder pointed out the program is helping students develop emotional intelligence, which business leaders are looking for . “These are the people that they (local businesses) want to hire . It makes them more independent,” she said . The program is funded for three years; however, it’s in its second year . Both Deeds and Stouder would like to find some corporate and community sponsors to help continue the program after next year . “We don’t want it to go away . We feel strongly about it because we’re bringing up tomorrow’s leaders,” Stouder said . “We want our kids to be employable,” Hutchinson said . Lincoln Elementary is planning a leadership day so the community can come and see what’s going on . A date for that event had not been set at press time . “It’s empowering for the kids,” Hutchinson said .