Molding Future Leaders



Friday’s editorial celebrates an exciting new initiative being put in place at Myrtle Beach schools over the summer:

Coming to Myrtle Beach elementary schools this fall: A cultural shift.

Training has already begun as part of a new initiative meant to foster leadership skills in Myrtle Beach students, molding a new generation of confident, competent residents. “The Leader in Me” model, based upon Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” has been implemented already in about 435 schools around the world, and proponents gush about its success -- raising academics, teacher engagement, student self-confidence and parent satisfaction while decreasing discipline referrals.

In Myrtle Beach, leaders are already thrilled about the possibilities, and it’s not hard to see why. City Council members praised the idea during a brief discussion in their workshop on Tuesday morning.

Councilman Phil Render loved the idea of teaching children about public speaking, integrity and self confidence, skills that may not show up on a multiple choice test, but which can mean a world of difference to a child’s future. “This is what employers are looking for,” he said.

Councilwoman Susan Grissom Means was also excited about the program. “Those basic principles are not being taught at home anymore,” she said. “Nobody teaches them now.”

It’s easy for us to share that excitement at the prospect of this program. The results already achieved and the passion of all those involved in it are strong indicators of its success and worth. It’s the program’s holistic view that distinguishes it from most other character-building initiatives in schools. Instead of having a themed week or a day of the month dedicated to working together or being confident, the entire curriculum is built around and focused on reinforcing leadership values.

“This really is impacting culture,” said Bob Zuercher, a member of the S.C. School Improvement Council board and a long-time partner with Horry County Schools in Myrtle Beach. He’s been involved with the project since 2009, when a group began looking for ways to make Myrtle Beach schools even better than they were. The committee found that a big concern of both students and parents was a perceived lack of “respect” from the other group. After looking at a number of initiatives, they settled on the “Leader in Me” program as the best fit for Myrtle Beach.

The initiative comes with some cost, to the tune of about $306,000 over three years to get up and running. But the school district has committed to paying about half of that, and the city and business community are also contributing support. On Wednesday night, Render and fellow City Council members Wayne Gray and Mike Chestnut met with Zuercher and Superintendent Cindy Elsberry. The council members indicated the city could contribute $50,000 in the first year and $25,000 in the second year. Elsberry said that the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has also signed on, and the district has a promise from them for $75,000-$100,000.

That buy-in from the community and businesses is an incredibly important part of the initiative, providing leadership models for students and interaction. The city, for its part, seems more than ready to help. “It’s more than just a financial commitment. We want to see this work,” said Render.

Gray echoed that willingness to lend a hand. “We’re all building model citizens.”

The program will begin in the fall just at elementary schools in Myrtle Beach, but the hope and dream is that eventually it will spread to the middle and high schools, and from there to the rest of the county. We can’t wait to see it in action, and we’re excited about the difference it could make throughout our the Grand Strand. As Elsberry said on Wednesday, “So goes Myrtle Beach, so goes Horry County.”

 

The seven habits

Be proactive: You’re in charge

Begin with the end in mind: Have a plan

Put first things first: Work first, then play

Think win-win: Everyone can win

Seek first to understand, then to be understood: Listen before you talk

Synergize: Together is better

Sharpen the saw: Renew yourself

 

In Myrtle Beach, leaders are already thrilled about the possibilities, and it’s not hard to see why. City Council members praised the idea during a brief discussion in their workshop on Tuesday morning.

Councilman Phil Render loved the idea of teaching children about public speaking, integrity and self confidence, skills that may not show up on a multiple choice test, but which can mean a world of difference to a child’s future. “This is what employers are looking for,” he said.

Councilwoman Susan Grissom Means was also excited about the program. “Those basic principles are not being taught at home anymore,” she said. “Nobody teaches them now.”

It’s easy for us to share that excitement at the prospect of this program. The results already achieved and the passion of all those involved in it are strong indicators of its success and worth. It’s the program’s holistic view that distinguishes it from most other character-building initiatives in schools. Instead of having a themed week or a day of the month dedicated to working together or being confident, the entire curriculum is built around and focused on reinforcing leadership values.

“This really is impacting culture,” said Bob Zuercher, a member of the S.C. School Improvement Council board and a long-time partner with Horry County Schools in Myrtle Beach. He’s been involved with the project since 2009, when a group began looking for ways to make Myrtle Beach schools even better than they were. The committee found that a big concern of both students and parents was a perceived lack of “respect” from the other group. After looking at a number of initiatives, they settled on the “Leader in Me” program as the best fit for Myrtle Beach.

The initiative comes with some cost, to the tune of about $306,000 over three years to get up and running. But the school district has committed to paying about half of that, and the city and business community are also contributing support. On Wednesday night, Render and fellow City Council members Wayne Gray and Mike Chestnut met with Zuercher and Superintendent Cindy Elsberry. The council members indicated the city could contribute $50,000 in the first year and $25,000 in the second year. Elsberry said that the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has also signed on, and the district has a promise from them for $75,000-$100,000.

That buy-in from the community and businesses is an incredibly important part of the initiative, providing leadership models for students and interaction. The city, for its part, seems more than ready to help. “It’s more than just a financial commitment. We want to see this work,” said Render.

Gray echoed that willingness to lend a hand. “We’re all building model citizens.”

The program will begin in the fall just at elementary schools in Myrtle Beach, but the hope and dream is that eventually it will spread to the middle and high schools, and from there to the rest of the county. We can’t wait to see it in action, and we’re excited about the difference it could make throughout our the Grand Strand. As Elsberry said on Wednesday, “So goes Myrtle Beach, so goes Horry County.”

 

The seven habits

Be proactive: You’re in charge

Begin with the end in mind: Have a plan

Put first things first: Work first, then play

Think win-win: Everyone can win

Seek first to understand, then to be understood: Listen before you talk

Synergize: Together is better

Sharpen the saw: Renew yourself