Leader In Me

1. Paul L. Pitchford, Ph.D.
573.882.0862, pitchfordp@missouri.edu
www.theleaderinme.org

2. Leadership Development:
It’s Not One More Thing
Learn how elementary schools in the U.S.,
Canada, and beyond are developing
leadership at every level of their school
communities without adding one more
thing to their curricula.
Paul L. Pitchford, Facilitator

3. The A.B. Combs Story
Muriel Summers, Principal of
A.B. Combs Elementary School,
attended a 7 Habits workshop
with Dr. Stephen R. Covey and
asked:
“Could these principles be
taught to young children?”

4. Early Challenges
at A.B. Combs
Low test scores
Lack of pride for our profession
Teachers working in isolation
Dirty facility
No clearly defined mission
or vision
Very little parent involvement
Incredible uncertainty

5. What Makes This Different?
1. Pervasive paradigm: every child is a leader.
2. Universal principles.
3. Involve teachers, students, parents, plus. . .
4. Ubiquitous approach—everywhere, all the
time.

6. What is Leadership?
“Leadership is communicating people’s worth
and potential so clearly that they are inspired
to see it in themselves.”
—Stephen R. Covey

7. Video
Teaching Leadership
with the 7 Habits

8. Results at A.B. Combs
Before Leadership After Implementing
Theme Leadership Theme
Enrollment 350 850
(Magnet School) plus many more on waiting
list
Student Achievement 67% 95%
of students passing End of of students passing End of
Grade Tests Grade Tests
Discipline Issues Dramatically reduced
Other Results • Increased Student Self-Confidence
• Safe Learning Environment
• High Parent Satisfaction
• Engaged Teachers
Results for A.B. Combs Elementary, Raleigh, North Carolina

9. Results at English Estates
Before Leadership 1 year after
Theme Implementing
Leadership Theme
Discipline Referrals 225 74
State Rating of School B A
Parent Approval of School 98%
Student Achievement •Scores up 35% in some subject areas
•Awarded most academically improved school
in district
Results for English Estates Elementary, Fern Park, Florida

10. Illinois Standard Achievement Test
Before 7 After three After one year
Habits (2005) Months of 7 three months
Habits (2006) of 7 Habits
(2007)
Reading 57.4% 72.2% 89.7%
Math 77.4% 90.3% 100%
Results for Dewey Elementary, Quincy Illinois

11. Results
After One Year
Survey Item Prior to 7 of 7 Habits
Habits
Parents who agree that students are
taught attitudes and behaviors that will 69.4% 92.3%
make them successful at work when they
finish school
Staff who agree that students are taught
the attitudes and behaviors that will make 77.8% 100%
them successful when they finish school
Parents who are satisfied that students
model the characteristics of active 81.4% 90.7%
citizenship
Results for Joseph Welsh Elementary, Alberta, Canada

12. …Results continued
Survey Item Prior to 7 Habits After One Year of
7 Habits
Parents who agree that their child is
encouraged at school to be involved
in activities that help the 65% 100%
community
Parents who agree that students
respect each other 84% 98%
Disciplinary incidents referred to
school administration for further 67% decrease
follow up
Results for Joseph Welsh Elementary, Alberta, Canada

13. Students, Parents, and Staff Results
Survey Item Disagree Agree
Students: I feel that I get chances to be a leader in my 5% 95%
classroom or in my school.
Parents: The Character Education Program, The 7 Habits
of Highly Effective People, has had a positive impact on 1% 99%
the atmosphere at my child’s school
Parents: I would like to see the Character Education
Program, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, continue 3% 97%
at my child’s school.
Teachers: The Character Education Program, The 7 Habits
of Highly Effective People, assists me in teaching students 100%
the principles needed in their daily lives.
Results for Joseph Welsh Elementary, Alberta, Canada

14. …Students, Parents, Staff Results
Survey Item Disagree Agree
All Staff: The Character Education Program, The 7
Habits of Highly Effective People, has provided
this school with a useful language to 100%
communicate to students, staff, and parents.
All Staff: The Character Education Program, The 7
Habits of Highly Effective People, has had a 100%
positive impact upon this school.
All Staff: I would like to see the Character
Education Program, The 7 Habits of Highly 100%
Effective People , continue at this school.
Results for Joseph Welsh Elementary, Alberta, Canada

15. Impacts Students Plus . . .
• Improved student achievement
• Significantly enhanced student self-confidence
• Increase in teacher/administrator job satisfaction
• Delighted parents
• Improved school cultures
• Support from business and community leaders
• Reduced discipline referrals

16. Rippling Across the Globe

17. Video
Rippling Across
the Globe

18. The 7 Habits and Life Skills
What Parents and Business 21st Century Life Skills The 7 Habits of Highly
Leaders Want Effective People
INDEPENDENCE Habits 1–3
• Goal setting • Initiative • Be Proactive®
• Organization • Responsibility • Begin With the End in Mind®
• Time management • Self-direction • Put First Things First®
• Planning • Personal productivity
INTERDEPENDENCE Habits 4–6
• Teamwork • Problem solving • Think Win-Win®
• Conflict management • Communication • Seek First to Understand,
• Creativity • Collaboration Then to Be Understood®
• Analytical skills • Cross-cultural skills • Synergize®
RENEWAL Habit 7
• Fun • Meaningful work • Sharpen the Saw®
• Desire to learn • Emotional stability (Body, Heart, Mind, Spirit)
• Good health and hygiene • Technical skills

19. The Leader in Me Process
STUDENT
TEACHER EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
ALL STAFF
Implement
7 Habits Implementation Resources
Vision
Training Training • Lesson Plans
• Videos
• Leadership Tools
• Data Notebooks
Small Team • Activity Guides
7 Habits Champion • Books
• Posters
Certification Team Training

20. Blend 7 Habits into:
Modeling
Traditions Environment
Systems Curriculum
Instruction

21. What Makes This Different?
1. Pervasive paradigm: every child is a leader.
2. Universal principles.
3. Involve teachers, students, parents, plus. . .
4. Ubiquitous approach—everywhere, all the
time.

22. Contact Information:
Paul L. Pitchford, Associate Director
Hook Center for Educational Leadership and District
Renewal
University of Missouri
202 Hill Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
573.882.0862
pitchfordp@missouri.edu
www.theleaderinme.org