PEOPLESTOWN — In early February, D.H. Stanton Elementary School became the first of Atlanta Public Schools to implement the new Leader in Me program. According to Talk Up APS, the official APS blog, "Leader in Me is an innovative, school-wide model that emphasizes a culture of student empowerment that helps to unleash each child’s full potential."
To launch the new program, on Feb. 1, D.H. Stanton invited members of the community to an introduction of the initiative.
The launch follows roughly a year's worth of groundwork laid by William Teasley, a Peoplestown resident who spearheaded the efforts to create the program at D.H. Stanton.
The program centers around the "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" philosphy of the late Stephen R. Covey, the leadership expert.
His company, FranklinCovey, created the school-focused Leader In Me model to focus on building the skills needed to be better students academically and to excel in leadership abilities as adults.
The long-term goal is to improve D.H. Stanton's academic performance and ranking among APS schools and grammar schools statewide.
The special guests included APS Board Member Courtney D. English, Georgia State Board Member Kenneth Mason, William Teasley from Peoplestown, D.H. Stanton parents, and some community members.
The blog quotes English as saying, “the Leader in Me program incorporates critical aspects necessary to develop the whole child and propels them towards the future. I’m looking forward to seeing the outcomes and will be here to support them.”
The Leader in Me applies The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:
- Be Proactive – You’re in Charge
- Begin with the end in mind – Have a plan
- Put first things first – Work first, then play
- Think win-win – Everyone can win
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood – Listen before you talk
- Synergize – Together is better
- Sharpen the saw – Balance Feels Best
For more information, please visit http://www.theleaderinme.org.
