CLEAR CREEK ISD — Students at Stewart and Mossman elementary schools are developing leadership skills with support from community members investing in Clear Creek ISD’s expansion of the Leader in Me program.

The district and Clear Creek Education Foundation recently recognized Carl and Colene Joiner for sponsoring the program at Stewart Elementary in Kemah and the Doyle family for supporting it at Mossman Elementary in League City.

Each recognition included the unveiling of a sponsor sign outside the school and a student-led learning walk demonstrating how Leader in Me is being used on campus.

Based on Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” the program is intended to help students develop leadership, character and personal responsibility. Clear Creek ISD plans to expand it to every elementary campus as part of its Vision 2030 strategic plan.

Superintendent Karen Engle said 22 schools across the district participate in Leader in Me with assistance from community sponsors.

“To have those skills developed from kindergarten, by the time they graduate, they are so ready to do whatever it is — to pursue their passions,” Engle said.

Stewart sponsors continue history of community service

At Stewart Elementary, the Joiners’ sponsorship continues their years of involvement with the program.

Carl Joiner, a former Kemah mayor who previously served on the Clear Creek Education Foundation board, said he encouraged the city to support Leader in Me when the program was introduced. He and his wife later assumed the sponsorship after the city discontinued its involvement.

“When the Leader in Me program came out, I jumped on that real quick and got the city to support it for years,” Joiner said. “And then when they chose not to do it anymore, that’s when we picked it up, because I think it’s one of the most important things that they teach here.”

Joiner said he also encouraged other municipalities to support the program and saw its work firsthand while attending foundation board meetings at different schools.

His wife, Colene Joiner, said students appear to enjoy the leadership clubs and activities made available through the program.

“The children really get a lot out of this,” she said. “It’s very obvious, and they just love their clubs and all of the activities that they do through the program.”

Stewart student Janie Muschweck described participating in the event as exciting, though also a little nerve-racking.

“It makes me very, very happy and excited and kind of nervous,” Muschweck said.

The Joiners said they hope the skills students develop will continue helping them through high school and into college, career training or the workforce.

Mossman students put leadership into practice

Mossman Elementary is in its second year of implementing Leader in Me, Principal Sara Konesheck said.

Students study the seven habits and learn how to demonstrate leadership both at school and elsewhere. At the beginning of the school year, each class develops a mission statement outlining what students believe is needed to create a successful classroom community.

Students also establish academic, attendance or behavioral goals and track their progress during the year.

“They seem so much prouder,” Konesheck said. “They seem like leaders. They stand up a little bit taller.”

Konesheck said the program has increased collaboration among students, parents and staff members and encouraged the school community to develop a shared vision for the campus.

Students said the lessons have helped them recognize how their actions can influence younger classmates.

“It helps me become a better fifth-grade leader because we’re the leaders of the school, and the little kids look up to us,” student Caroline Konesheck said.

Student Cooper Sorge said he tries to share what she learns with younger students and his brother.

“Leader in Me has taught me life lessons,” Sorge said. “I try to pass them on to other littler kids.”

Rylan Cerelli gave examples such as retrieving a piece of trash after missing the garbage can and remaining quiet in hallways while other classes are working.

The Doyle family’s support of Mossman is personal. Sponsor Sean Doyle is a director of the Clear Creek Education Foundation, lives near the campus and has children who attend the school.

“We felt like it was a good opportunity to invest not only in our children, but in the kids at Mossman,” Doyle said. “We have a lot of friends whose kids attend Mossman as well and thought it was a good opportunity to invest in the future long term.”

The district and foundation are adding Leader in Me to five more CCISD elementary campuses through the latest round of community sponsorships. District leaders say continued community support will be needed to reach the goal of bringing the program to every elementary campus by 2030.