by 
Jacob Bello
Madelynn Kennedy, Edison Campbell, and Cassidy Lopez
Shelby Lopez
Two years ago Walker Butte K-8 launched its Leader in Me Program, which is based on similar principles in the popular book by author Stephen R. Covey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The Leader in Me program focuses on “The Seven Habits of Happy Kids” and “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens” to teach students the principles of personal leadership.
The goal is to help children learn how to lead their lives using the following seven habits:
Habit 1 – Be proactive; You’re in charge.
Habit 2 – Begin with the end in mind; Have a plan.
Habit 3 – Put first things first; Work first, then play.
Habit 4 – Think win-win; Everyone can win
Habit 5 – Seek first to understand, then to be understood; Listen before you talk.
Habit 6 – Synergize; Together is better.
Habit 7 – Sharpen the saw; Balance feels best
“We are trying to create a culture that is principal proof,” Walker Butte Principal Paul Hatch told the Ledger in 2014, the first of the two-year implementation process. “We’re trying to create a culture that will allow kids to succeed where ever they go.”
Now fully implemented, Walker Butte’s Leader in Me Program is a way of life for students.
There is measurable data, such as a decrease in referrals, which school and district administrators use for their own purposes. But the most important data is the results seen in the students’ personal leadership skills.
“I really liked when they started the Leader in Me Program,” said fourth-grader Cassidy Lopez. “I think it helped a lot of kids (perform) better. It helped me more when I was preparing for tests; I studied more after learning the seven habits and my grades improved.”
Shelby Lopez, a seventh-grader, was elected the school’s student body president, an unusual occurrence considering an eighth-grader is typically voted into the position.
Habits 1 and 5 were the most influential of the seven habits in Lopez’ decision to run for president and in her responsibilities in that role.
“I realized to run for that position I needed to possess leader-like characteristics,” she said. “After learning about those characteristics, I felt like I was a good (candidate) for student body president.”
Madelynn Kennedy, a fifth grader, is the founder and president of Helping Hands, an on-campus group of students that provides assistance to autistic students at the school. Following the seven habits, especially Habit 6, have proved to be beneficial to the student-assistance program.
“We work together to do fundraisers and other group functions,” Kennedy said. “So far we’ve done stuff for Diabetes and I found while we were doing that we were using most of the habits.”
First-grader Edison Campbell said Habit 7 – Sharpen the saw – is his favorite because likes to exercise by riding his bike.
When it comes to school work, the consensus among students interviewed was that Habit 3 – put first things first – was the most important to their educational success.
“You have to do your homework and then you get to play,” Campbell said.
“I usually do my work before I start playing or doing other things,” added Jacob Bello, an eighth-grader. “I try to focus on my work before doing anything else.”
Bello acknowledged following the seven habits in other areas of his life as well.
“I have a whole new perspective on everything I do when it comes doing chores, homework, or when to play games,” he said. “I try to focus on what’s most important first. The habits have helped become a better person at school and at home.”
Some habits are hard to break and at Walker Butte K-8 School that’s a good thing.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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