New Hope Christian Academy in Plano has recently adopted the Leader in Me program, a comprehensive PK-12 model developed by Franklin Covey to build leadership skills, create a high-trust culture, and improve academic achievement.
The initiative, which integrates Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, aims to instill these principles in students at all educational levels. “I became aware of the Leader in Me about ten years ago, visiting a Leader in Me school, and was impressed with the student results,” said Deedee Mims, head of school at New Hope Christian Academy. "I recognized the seven habits as something we were hoping to instill in our students, and the program provided a foundational methodology and curriculum to do it effectively."
The Leader in Me program adapts Covey’s principles to suit various educational stages, providing material for elementary, middle, and high school students and includes career-focused and college-readiness content. The initiative at New Hope Christian Academy is still in the early stages, entering the second year of a three-year implementation plan.
Local Profile: How does the program integrate Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People into its curriculum?
Deedee Mims: It contains the same information as his book, simply redesigned for the appropriate educational levels. The program provides material for elementary, middle and high school and also outlines a career focus and college readiness material.
LP: How was the initial implementation process? Were there any challenges or unexpected hurdles?
DM: The teachers were mostly supportive, as they recognized it was character we were already trying to teach and model to our students, but now it became an actual curriculum to teach. Leader in Me was something they needed to implement into their current schedules, which were already full, and adjusting to making it a priority took some time.
LP: How did you prepare your staff for the Leader in Me program?
DM: The initial implementation included a week-long training. The training surprised the entire staff by not instructing the teachers how to teach the material but teaching us all how to implement the seven habits into our own lives. Modeling the seven habits is very important to the program's success, and we all learned a lot about ourselves through the initial training.
LP: What kind of training and resources were provided to teachers and administrators?
DM: We received several coaching hours, consulted with a mentor, and received additional training throughout the year. They also provide online professional development, teaching tools and videos, and additional support throughout the three years of implementation.
LP: How has the Leader in Me program been integrated into your school’s curriculum and daily activities?
DM: Each kinder to high school class has a minimum of three weekly classes to discuss one of the seven habits. Teachers are using the same verbiage related to the seven habits and incorporating it through lessons, recess, PE, lunch and after-school duties. We have a monthly Leader in Me rally, highlighting students (individuals or an entire class) where teachers and students recognize the application of one of the seven habits. Our older students went through the Seven Habits of Highly Successful Teens as a book study together, in addition to studying and implementing the seven habits into their studies.
LP: How has the Leader in Me program influenced the overall culture of your school?
DM: Our students are accepting of each other and their differences, culturally as well as academically. They are quick to volunteer for chores, learn how to collaborate with a win-win mentality, and begin to advocate for themselves and others. A parent shared that her 4-year-old daughter generally would throw a fit or pout when she didn't get her way. She came home one day and told her mother they needed to talk, as her mom had said something that frustrated her. So, not only is it making a difference at school, but also at home.
LP: Have you noticed changes in student behavior, engagement or attitudes since the program was implemented?
DM: I think it has made a difference, not because it is something new, but just a more productive way to teach and present the material to the students systematically. It has helped our teachers to focus more on consistently setting student expectations.
LP: Have you observed any impact on students' academic performance or classroom participation?
DM: We have not done it long enough to research the direct impact on student academic performance, but it has positively impacted classroom participation. The focus on the seven habits has created a safe, positive classroom environment where the students can learn from mistakes. I can only imagine that it must have a direct impact on academics with the positive classroom environment it provides.
LP: Can you share specific examples of academic improvements linked to the program?
DM: I hope to be able to provide a more documented impact on academics after this upcoming year. One of the things we implement this year is student portfolios and personal goal setting, led chapels, and student-led parent conferences twice throughout the year.
LP: How has the program affected students' personal development, such as leadership skills, self-confidence and responsibility?
DM: This is where we have witnessed the initial growth. Students are becoming more resilient able to try again after defeat, knowing it’s part of the learning process. They are taking accountability for their positive and negative actions and supporting each other.
LP: Are there any student success stories or notable transformations you can share?
DM: One of our students who has been with us for about 5 years (since preschool) struggled with social situations and managing her emotions. She would retaliate if someone offended her, whether intentionally or not. Her general conversations were sensationalized for attention or negatively criticizing other students. We assigned her a new position as head of our carline patrol because we recognized she could be a great leader if mentored. She was fully responsible for interviewing, selecting, and training her workers. She wrote the application and the job description, considering safety factors and morning greetings. She not only succeeded in that position, but it also reflected in her relationships with others and behavior in the classroom.
LP: How are parents involved in supporting and reinforcing the principles of the program at home?
DM: We will implement it more directly in the homes this school year by providing parent training to our own families and offering it to the general public for free.
LP: Has the Leader in Me program impacted the school’s relationship with the broader community?
DM: Absolutely. Our students are very active in community projects such as food drives, shoes for orphan souls, and other projects. Our older students serve once a month at Our Calling, serving as hosts to the homeless community who came for support. The girls gave manicures to the women, and they all served breakfast, filled needs requests for those who came in, and sorted items in the warehouse. They also served as volunteer swim instructors this summer at the Texas Pool alongside TankProof, a non-profit organization providing free swimming lessons and food to kids in need.
LP: What challenges have you faced in implementing and maintaining the Leader in Me program?
DM: Purchasing all of the material can be costly, but we want to use everything they have to offer initially. Once we better establish our program, we will be more effective in selecting specifically what is needed to equip our school. Also, it is defining and establishing the school environment, which will take some time to instill into the fiber of our school.
LP: How have you addressed these challenges and what solutions have been effective?
DM: Establishing it into the fiber of the school takes time, repetition, reminders, encouragement, and support from the administration and staff. It also requires recognizing that it is not a one-time event but a way of conducting yourself on a daily basis. This attitude comes from the top administrator down to the youngest student.
LP: What metrics or indicators do you use to evaluate its effectiveness?
DM: This year we will be able to evaluate based on student goal setting and portfolios and how well they conduct their parent conferences, demonstrating their personal goals and success.
LP: What are your future goals for your school's Leader in Me program?
DM: Our goal is to become a model Leader in Me school (termed a “Lighthouse School”) to better accomplish our mission of graduating young people who are knowledgeable, leaders in their professions and careers, and compassionate to others.
LP: What advice would you give to other schools considering implementing the Leader in Me program?
DM: It is an effective way to instill character, resilience, collaboration skills, critical thinking, and positive life skills. The Leader in Me material states that it is not just another leadership program: “It’s a standout experience, blending a fresh approach with elite content and mentorship. Our framework offers schools the tools to make tangible advancements in leadership, culture and academics.”
LP: What are some key lessons learned that could benefit other educators?
DM: As a 40-plus year educator, I believe this material is the key to a school successfully educating its students. What we do as educators will impact an entire generation. We have the opportunity to educate students to make a positive difference in the world in which they live. What better way to accomplish this than through redirecting our focus to SEE differently and adopt these five educational paradigms:
- Paradigm of Leadership: “Everyone can be a leader.”
- Paradigm of Potential: “Everyone has Genius” through unique talents.
- Paradigm of Change: “Change Starts with Me” (even the teachers and administrators!).
- Paradigm of Motivation: “Students Lead Their Own Learning.”
- Paradigm of Education: “Educators and Families Partner to Develop the Whole Person.”
To lean more about New Hope Christian Academy Leader in Me program, click here.
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