The Leader in Me founder, Muriel Summers, to give keynote address
Since its introduction to Acadiana in 2009, The Leader in Me system has empowered more than 16,500 elementary and middle school students in Lafayette, Acadia, Vermillion and St. Martin parishes to become leaders and has positively transformed schools.
The public is invited to experience the impact of The Leader in Me system and hear from its pioneer, Muriel Summers, at the United Way of Acadiana Educator’s Summit on Oct. 20, at 9:30 a.m. in the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Student Union Ballroom.
Summers created the first leadership elementary school in the nation using FranklinCovey's 7 Habits program as a foundation. As principal of A.B. Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh, N.C., Summers realized that leadership skills are critical components to success. She enlisted Franklin Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, to help her structure and implement a leadership-based model for her school. Since implementing the program, A.B. Combs has twice been named the #1 Magnet School in the United States and has been featured on several national television programs including PBS, “Good Morning America,” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” In addition, the school has won several awards including the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, the National Title 1 Distinguished School, the National Elementary School of the Year, the North Carolina Honor School of Excellence, the North Carolina Governor's Entrepreneurial Award, and the National School of Character Award.
The United Way of Acadiana Educators’ Summit includes a panel discussion held by students and facilitated by principal Kim Cummins from Martin Petitjean Elementary, which was recently named a National Blue Ribbon School. Guests of the summit will also hear a testimony from a parent of a Leader in Me student.
“The summit gives the community an opportunity to come together to celebrate The Leader in Me schools’ accomplishments and learn more about the role this model has played in helping more local children succeed in school,” said Margaret Trahan, United Way of Acadiana president and CEO.
United Way of Acadiana’s partnership with The Leader in Me supports 29 schools in Acadiana to implement the program successfully.
“Our communities have told us time and again how important education is to their aspirations,” Trahan added. “United Way shares that common vision for excellence in education and for all students to achieve their potential. The Leader in Me is inspiring positive results, academically, behaviorally, and beyond the classroom.”
Preliminary results from a 2014 longitudinal study conducted by UL Lafayette’s Picard Center indicate a promising model overall. Examples from local Leader in Me schools indicate a rise in attendance to as much as 96 percent and a decrease in absences by as much as 26 percent. Also, disciplinary referrals were lowered by as much as 49 percent over the course of one school year. Performance by fourth-graders at Leader in Me schools on state standardized tests during 2013-14 showed improvement by as much as 12 percentage points in English Language Arts, and 9 percent in math.
“The cultural transformation in these schools is seismic and the data bears out a direct and quantifiable impact in student achievement, staff engagement and students seeing themselves as leaders who are accountable to themselves,” said Jason Quinlan, senior client partner at FranklinCovey.
United Way of Acadiana’s goal is to bring The Leader in Me to 90 percent of area schools who want it by 2019.
Educators’ Summit tickets are $20. To RSVP or for more information visit UnitedWayofAcadiana.org or by calling 377-233-8302 ext. 237.
