Nearly two dozen seventh graders at Berner Middle School in the Massapequa School District are ready to lead with purpose after participating in an engaging two-day leadership workshop.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Workshop: Begin With the End in Mind was hosted by the FranklinCovey Institute. It was held in the Berner library on Aug. 10 and 11 and featured 23 student participants. Through interactive experiences and team-building activities, they learned leadership skills and how to serve as role models for others. Students explored practical strategies to become more confident, responsible, resilient and effective leaders.
Superintendent Dr. William Brennan explained that the workshop aligns with Massapequa’s Profile of a Learner and Leader, and reinforces the qualities that the district strives to cultivate in every student.
“I’m thrilled that our middle school students are participating in a globally recognized program and that they are actively engaged in this experience,” Dr. Brennan said. “They are developing habits of mind and heart to achieve success and are ready to make a positive impact in their school and beyond.”
Students completed a mystery drawing based on vague instructions. While it was supposed to be a small house with a sun and tree, many drawings were vastly different. The purpose was to show students that it’s hard to take the right steps when they don’t know the desired outcome. They also worked in teams to solve a peg game, with a goal of having only peg remaining. It taught them how to think ahead and also to try again if they didn’t succeed the first time.
The presenters were Cat DiGioia, director of curriculum, and Tori Kass, Leader in Me coach, from the FranklinCovey curriculum department. They noted that the program strongly aligned with the district’s vision and mission, and it gave students practical tools to develop the competencies of a Massapequa Learner and Leader.
Ryan K., the seventh grade class secretary, said he signed up for the leadership workshop because he wants to be more outgoing and talk to peers he doesn’t know. He said the experience taught him resilience.
Ella S., who said she would like to join student government in the future, said her biggest takeaway was learning new strategies to manage time and set priorities.
“I think it’s a really fun program and a great way to learn new skills that can go into different aspects of my life,” Ella said.
Owen M. said he wants to lead with kindness, and that’s why he signed up for the workshop. He wanted to learn skills to be an inclusive leader who sets an example for others to follow.
“I’m learning how to be a leader and how to help other people out,” he said.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Brian Trapani said several administrators have attended a workshop on FranklinCovey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and wanted to bring that to Massapequa’s learners and leaders. The opportunity for the summer workshop was made available to all rising seventh graders.
“The hope would be that they ultimately pass along the leadership traits they learned,” Dr. Trapani said, “and exhibit them in their lives, particularly in school to become model students for those around them.”