Young Observer had the opportunity to tour Francis Patton Primary School this week. Mrs Garita Coddington, the Principal, introduced us to each class.

As we entered each classroom, a student jumped up and came and shook our hand to welcome us into their classroom. Mrs Coddington explained: “We are helping students to think of themselves as leaders who are empowered and participate in all leadership expectations.”

“For students, a successful experience with leadership and following minute by minute routines and procedures begins with the basics: how to think like an active leader, how to speak like a leader and how to set goals, collect data, record data and share their thinking about data,” she added.

The Leader in Me

Francis Patton was first introduced to the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R Covey) by Mrs Coddington in November 2010.

The teaching staff studied the book, The Leader in Me, as a professional learning community. Small groups of staff members (synergy teams) read specific chapters and presented on those chapters to the entire staff at monthly staff meetings.

Reading the book created excitement throughout the staff, and at the suggestion of Mrs Coddington, it was decided to move forward in The Leader in Me process.

In February 2011, the entire staff of Francis Patton Primary School, including the custodians and the administrative assistant, were trained in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, a workshop presented by Mrs Martha Kirkland of Effective Leadership Bermuda, a Franklin Covey authorised dealer.

In June, the first Francis Patton Lighthouse Team was formed, comprising of the principal, teachers and para-educators. The team was asked to prepare the school for the implementation of The Leader in Me in September 2011.

In September 2011, students began school in a different environment. They participated in three days of workshops to introduce them to the 7 Habits, they helped to decorate the environment with leadership murals and they learnt their way around their “new” school, which includes hallways named in accordance with Bermudian culture and linked to a habit.

Mrs Coddington said “Since September 2011, the school has been known as Bermuda’s first Leadership in Me school. Every year, workshops are given to both staff and students, the 7 habits are integrated in all that goes on at Francis Patton as they engage in developing leaders one child at a time.”

Mrs Coddington went on to say “All students are told that they are leaders and are competent learners and are able to use the 7 habits to educate, inspire, empower and make Bermuda and the world a better place.

“Students become leaders by having an opportunity to lead. Teachers become better teachers by living the 7 habits principles inside and outside of school, bringing the staff closer as a learning community.”

The 7 Habits

Habit 1: Be Proactive.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind.

Habit 3: Put First Things First.

Habit 4: Think Win/Win.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.

Habit 6: Synergize.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw.