There are many different opportunities during the school day to give many different students opportunities to become leaders. While one student may be a natural leader in math or history class, another student may be a successful leader in a physical education class or a reading class. Our sixth grade teachers have found additional opportunities to encourage student leadership while planning and preparing for the sixth grade play. We have been pleasantly surprised over the past few years at the unlikely students who step up and show so much leadership while practicing and taking part in this very important sixth grade presentation.

March Posting Directions

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Code of Ethics Standards

Standard 1: Professional Conduct
Standard 2: Trustworthiness
Standard 3: Unlawful Acts
Standard 4: Teacher/Student Relationship
Standard 5: Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Use or Possession
Standard 6: Public Funds and Property

Standard 7: Remunerative Conduct
An educator should maintain integrity with students, colleagues, parents, patrons, or businesses when accepting gifts, gratuities, favors, and additional compensation.

Ethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Insuring that institutional privileges are not used for personal gain.
• Insuring that school policies or procedures are not impacted by gifts or gratuities from any person or organization.

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Soliciting students or parents of students to purchase equipment, supplies, or services from the educator or to participate in activities that financially benefit the educator unless approved by the local governing body.
• Accepting gifts from vendors or potential vendors for personal use or gain where there appears to be a conflict of interest.
• Tutoring students assigned to the educator for remuneration unless approved by the local board of education.


The Leader in Me—Chapter 7
Stephen R. Covey

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”—Gandhi

Questions to consider for Chapter 7

1. How have middle and high schools integrated the 7 Habits into their schedules?
2. What impact have these efforts had on students?
3. How can you apply one thing from this chapter that could improve your school culture?

Implementation of new ideas and other strategies is always where improvement gets bogged down and progess slows. One common thread among the schools discussed in chapter 6 of THE LEADER IN ME is common purpose and action. In interviews, representatives of every school featured talked about how the work on implementation of the leadership them brought the faculty together for a shared vision. When faculties can achieve this common bond and purpose, great things can happen at school for the students.

Rodney Green: School Culture

As has already been said, school culture is reflected by everyone and everything that happens at the school. Culture must be nutured through our behaviors, language, stories and celebrations. I believe our school culture in Blount County is very positive and there is an environment that promotes student success and learning. Our buildings and grounds are well kept and provide an orderly, safe and secure haven for our students. Our schools are now constantly looking at student achievement and ways to keep our students engaged. Our attitudes have changed and we are looking at each child and trying to make sure they have every opportunity to be successful. Thanks to all of you!

Leadership Style

The leadership theme can work for all schools regardless of the leadership style used by the administrator. You must implement the leadership theme and the 7 habits in your own way. Teachers must live and love the habits in order to teach and internalize them into their students. Using your own voice and personality will help you and your students feel ownership instead of duplicating and initiative from another school.