Eugene Field Elementary students are all part of leadership teams that have specific missions to contribute to the school community. Individually, the students set and track their own academic, attendance and behavior goals. 

“Our ultimate goal is for the students to take what they’re learning in leadership and apply it outside of the school setting,” explained Jennifer Taylor, Eugene Field principal. “We’re hoping that parents see it, recognize it and encourage it from their children, reinforcing those habits at home. That’s what we call a win-win.” 

Eugene Field is on track this school year to achieve lighthouse status under The Leader in Me program, an initiative based on Dr. Stephen Covey’s best-selling book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” which provides students the tools to become life-long leaders. Only a dozen schools in Missouri carry the prestigious distinction. 

The elementary school piloted the program during the 2011/12 academic year, and ultimately received professional consultation through a grant awarded by FranklinCovey’s I Am a Leader Foundation valued at about $75,000, due to the staff’s buy-in. 

In December, a certification team visited Eugene Field to observe the building-wide culture in action and determine if the elementary school will receive the golden seal of approval. During the third annual Leadership Day at the end of the 2015/16 school year, Leader in Me Senior Consultant Dr. Paul Pitchford expressed his confidence in the incredible progress that has been achieved.