The Leader in Me initiative that has taken the Vicksburg Warren School District by storm is growing a little bigger this upcoming school year.

One of the schools adding the program to its curriculum is the Academy of Innovation. The school is the first junior high in the district to use the program.

“We see the positives that come from the elementary schools that have it. We see the positive outcomes in the way it helps change students and changes grown-ups. We just feel like we were ready to take that step and implement it in our building,” principal Jason McKellar said.

The school’s leadership teacher Teresa Kitchens said taking the program to the junior high level really isn’t all that different than the elementary level because they will teach the same seven habits; however, the students will use a book directed at their age group called “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens.” Those seven habits are: be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand then to be understood, synergize and sharpen the saw.

Kitchens, who was at Bovina Elementary, said students take on leadership roles within the school and those with outstanding leadership skills will work on a student lighthouse team.

“I’ve seen that children really do take ownership of it and are proud of what they accomplish. I think it really helps them, and they keep up with their grades and data. They set goals and make plans on how to achieve those goals,” Kitchens said.

Many of the students at Academy of Innovation came from elementary schools that were already using The Leader in Me, and McKellar feels the transition should be smooth.

“We have a good many Leader in Me students at our school so the students already know it. Really now we’re trying to get the grown-ups on board,” McKellar said.

The school’s faculty has gone through the first stages of training by learning how to use the program in their own lives. Kitchens said this training is important because the faculty needs to be an example to the students.

“We have to take ownership of that too and show them that we live by those habits, and we do what we’re asking them to do,” Kitchens said.

During training, McKellar said the faculty has learned about goal setting, being positive and conflict resolution. He said district personnel who have gone to training are teaching his staff the basics of the program. Soon the faculty will work on how to implement the program.

Sherman Avenue, South Park and Warrenton elementary schools are also starting The Leader in Me this year.