I was chosen to be a part of McAuliffe's lighthouse team. This team of 8 have been trained to be facilitators of the seven habits. This opportunity allows me to train new staff in the habits and hold continuing education for the entire staff. As a curriculum coach, I consistently create and/or share ways to effectively integrate the principles of the 7 habits into the everyday curriculum, language and culture of our school.This responsibility consists of mentoring children, adults, and classes to create their own mission statements and goal folders that aligns with the data required of the grade. It also involves helping staff develop new paradigms, I recognize and acknowlegde their talents in order to achieve a common goal. I locate resources and ideas that are useful, real, and interesting to spark a love of learning in our students.

I have taught Kindergarten for six years as well as developed my own creative ways to integrate the 7 habits into an early childhood classroom. I am resposible for originating an afterschool program to teach upper elementary students Dr. Stephen Covey's 7 Habits.I took initiative to form partnerships with Panda Express, Panda Cares, and State Farm Insurance. I created a synergistic approach to their support and we received the implementation training towards Lighthouse Status. www.pandacares.org http://mattmccoyinsurance.com/The following link is the first project created by the students according to their interests. They planned, wrote, and produced it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x32ygWWVXr4These efforts created an opportunity for our entire staff to be trained in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, furthermore; it resulted in our school being the only elementary in Oklahoma to be sponsored by Panda Express to journey toward lighhthouse status. Our teamwork with Panda has been an instrument of harmony in our community, families, staff relationships, and personal classrooms.Panda Express and Franklin Covey awarded my efforts with the opportunity to visit The original Leader In Me School, A.B. Combs'. I attended their Fall 2011 Leadership Day in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was an honor to meet Mrs. Muriel Summers. I was able to witness first hand the incredible impact leadership has made on her school. She is a wonderful example and mentor at empowering students with their unique gifts.I am currently serving on our school's Lighthouse Team. Together with our students ranging in ages 4 - 11, we presented the Leader In Me to the Union Public Schools' school board on February 13, 2012. The students are truly the beacons of light shining very brightly. For more information go to www.leaderinme.org