Leaders Teaching Leaders
At High Ridge Elementary, third and fourth grade student leaders began learning about the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, which focuses on developing good character and empowering every student to become a leader in his or her own individualized way. In September 2011, the student leaders were offered the opportunity to teach a lesson on one of the 7 Habits to a Kindergarten class. This idea quickly became successful, and the student leaders desired to continue this teaching opportunity. The student leaders took it upon themselves to develop a regular series of lessons based on the 7 Habits by using their "free" time to brainstorm, create, practice, and present developmentally appropriate lessons to the Kindergarten students. Receiving feedback on their lessons from the guidance counselor and Kindergarten teachers sharpened their leadership skills and fed their desire to continue teaching these important ideas to our leaders of tomorrow. In turn, the student leaders have managed to turn the idea of a single presentation of the 7 Habits of Happy Kids into an ongoing program that continues to empower both the student leaders as well as the Kindergarten students as it evolves.