‘Leader in Me’ Program Gives Jobs to Elem. Students

By Michelle Luce

Just because kids are in school doesn’t mean they can’t hold important, meaningful jobs. A FoxNews article entitled “Students at Wyoming School Experience Real School Work” highlights Coffeen Elementary’s volunteer “leadership jobs” for students:

“We decided to turn over some of the day- to-day leadership to the kids,” [Principal] Trahan said. “We have door greeters, so we have two girls that come to school early, they open the doors and greet the kids and parents as they come in. We’ve got cafe cleaners. Those kids give up their lunch recess to come in and clean the tables for the older kids coming in. We’ve got salad bar helpers who help the younger kids go through the salad bar. We’ve got a recycling team.” says Nicole Trahan, Coffeen’s principal.

A student interested in a position on the leadership team must apply for the job and be interviewed. Just like you or me. Then, the applicant is given expectations for the job. The students are not allowed to quit unless there is a very good reason.

Students take their jobs seriously. One student highlighted in the article, Kaleb Hiller, recruited for assistants when his job became too overwhelming. When he found someone to help him, not only did he once again show enthusiasm for his job but also pride in being able to show the new “hire” how the job was done. He took the leadership role.

The students’ volunteer “leadership jobs” are only part of a wider program at Coffeen Elementary called “Leader in Me,” which is modeled after Steven Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

Jennifer Black, the school’s counselor, said that with the common language and common expectations from the program, discipline referrals have dropped 90% from three years ago:

“Kids didn’t know what they were expected to do, how they were expected to behave on the play- ground, in the hallway, in the classroom, in the cafeteria. If they don’t know those expectations, they can’t meet them. When we put those expectations into place, it was almost overnight. Once they knew what was expected, referrals dropped,” she said.

That in itself, is impressive.

Another bragging point for Principal Trahan is the steadily rising tests scores. “In 2006-2007, there was not one score that was above the state average,” she said. “Starting in 2008, there has been a consistent increase in Coffeen scores.”

Teachers, students and parents are seeing benefits from the “Leader in Me” programs. Parent and PTO president, Angie Hiller, is passionate about Coffeen and the changes happening there. She commented, “At the end of this long road that is school, we just want our kids to come out capable — capable of having a functional, happy life. That is what is nice about Coffeen … if my kid comes out of here an incredible leader, that would mean as much to me as my kid getting a (perfect) report card, if not more.”

Michelle Luce is a mother, teacher and a writer. She lives in Swansea, South Carolina.