At the ǿմý principalmeeting last week, the focuswasn’tjust on leading schools– itwas growing leaders at every level.
ǿմý principals gathered at theǿմý Professional Development Centerfor a speciallunch following their principal meeting, where they heard from, co-author of“and president of. His message centered on the heart of the: leadership, potential, change,motivationand education–the five core paradigms that drive strong leadership, cultureand,academics (LCA) on campuses.
“You can be a leaderofyour own life,” Covey said. “You can be a leader of your friend, be a leader among your peers. Leadership is doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching.”
He reminded principals that the work starts with adults. 
“Leader in Me is just as much about the adults as it is the students, and it starts with your goals,” he said. “Everyone is smart, just indifferent ways. This isultimately whatour job as educators is all about–to help these children understand their potential and give them the opportunity to exercise their vision.”
For ǿմý, that vision is already taking shape. The district currently has 16 Leader in Me campuses.
AtSherrod Elementary, the journey began with culture.
“We started with the C because it has to start with your staff first,”Sherrod principal Karen Hicks said. “We want to make sure that teaching and learning happens first.”
Leader in Medidn’tjust shift student leadership–it transformed campus leadership as well.
“I used to feel like I had to be commanding the trouble all the time, like I had to have my hands in every little thing,”shesaid. “What Leader in Me has done for me with the LCAhasallowedmeto trust andinspire.It’sbeen a change, butit’sbeen a beautiful change.”
Now, teacher and student teams lead key initiatives across campus.
“We have our live cast team, our actionsteam,and our leadership team. When I go to actions team meetings, I sit back and watch the work happen.”
Covey described the framework as “jet fuel” for schools, accelerating practices that are already in place and giving thema deeperpurpose. But at its core, he said, the work is bigger than programs or systems.
“This is sacred work,” he toldprincipals. “We’reshaping the lives of these students and believing in them. Seeing the worth and potential is the foundation of all of this.”
As ǿմý looks to expand its Leader in Me footprint, the message from the lunch was clear: the districtisn’tjust building strong campuses–it’sdeveloping leaders, in classrooms,and beyond!