Merging Character and Leadership - A Visit to RSMS

A group of us visited Rockwood South Middle School's Leadership Day.  This day is part of the "Leader in Me" program, which instills the "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens" philosophies into character and leadership development.  Seeing this program in action definitely inspired ideas for how to further our Flyertime classes as well as enhance leadership and character throughout the building.  

More will be coming soon, but in the meantime, here's a little teaser of some of the components of their system.

Their "leadership center" is where students get and submit applications for specific clubs and activities.  It's not very different from what we currently have in the lobby.  But...the idea of applying for specific leadership roles in the building has merit!

Here's the "application" to participate in specific RSMS activities.  This leadership process encourages Habit 1:  Be Proactive.

In classrooms, teachers have designated leadership roles that students hold.  See above for specific examples and consider how you can be more systematic in building ownership for your students in your classroom.

Each grade level has a "Lighthouse" class very similar to our "Flight Crew."  The purpose of Lighthouse classes is to provide leadership for the "7 Habits" around the building.

One of the components of the "7 Habits" is writing a personal mission statement that serves as a guidepost for student decision-making.  In the Lighthouse classes, they also write class mission statements, frequently reviewing them to ensure they are supporting their own goals.

As a school, they set goals, identifying the work that must be done along the way to ensure they reach their goals.  This reflects Habit 2:  Begin with the End in Mind.

In this class, students are reviewing their 100 goals written at the beginning of the school year; by identifying what they've accomplished and where they need to focus reminds them of Habit 3:  Put First Things First.

The above pictures demonstrate a project that students worked on collaboratively.  In this class assignment they had four tasks:  1) Explain the problem, 2) Find Alternate Points of View, 3) Propose Policy and 4) Create a Plan.  It should be noted that they designed a video on Powtoon synthesizing their work.  In this assignment, they emphasized Habits 4-6, the relationship habits:  Think Win-Win; Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood; and Synergize.  Need I also point out the opportunity for authentic learning and service learning here?

I just thought this was cool!  In their cafeteria, students painted these and used them as teachable art.  That's great leadership!

The 7th habit is "Sharpen the Saw," and as we continue on our journey of character and leadership for students, we have many opportunities to renew what we do!  Thank you for joining this journey and looking forward to our continual improvement at TMS!