Leader in Me at Central Elementary

At Central Elementary, we are proud to be a Leader in Me School, using a whole-school improvement process developed by FranklinCovey that is grounded in the belief that every child can be a leader. Leader in Me is an evidence-based approach that equips students with the leadership and life skills needed to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally in the 21st century.

The Leader in Me Paradigms

Leader in Me is built on five key paradigm shifts that guide our school culture:

1. Everyone Can Be a Leader
   Not just the few. Every student has unique gifts and can lead in their own way.

2. Everyone Has Genius
   Not just a select group. We believe every child has talents and strengths worth discovering and developing.

3. Change Starts with Me
   Empowerment over blame. Students and staff learn to take initiative and ownership for making positive change.

4. Educators Empower Students to Lead Their Own Learning
   Agency over compliance. We promote student voice, goal-setting, and ownership of learning.

5. Develop the Whole Person
   Not just academic achievement. We nurture mind, body, heart, and spirit.

The 7 Habits for Students

A core element of Leader in Me is the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, adapted for students as the 7 Habits of Happy Kids. These habits help students develop critical social-emotional skills and a common language for leadership and personal growth:

1. Be Proactive – You’re in charge of you

2. Begin with the End in Mind – Have a plan

3. Put First Things First – Work first, then play

4. Think Win-Win – Everyone can win

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood – Listen before you speak; speak to understand, not to be understood

6. Synergize – Together is better

7. Sharpen the Saw – Balance feels best

Through daily lessons, leadership roles, classroom activities, and school-wide events, students at Central Elementary are empowered to lead themselves, collaborate with others, and make positive contributions to their school and community.

To learn more about the Leader in Me process, visit leaderinme.org

Want to learn more?

Links:

Teach 7 Habits video

7 Habits of Happy Kids

7 Habits and SEL