Elmsford peer leaders workshop part of 'Seven Habits' initiative

In the first of a series of workshops inspired by Stephen Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” student leaders at Alexander Hamilton High School presented younger peers with important material to consider as the school year progresses.

On Oct. 19, the older students discussed two of the seven habits, “Be Proactive” and “Begin with the End in Mind.”

Students were divided into groups where they could openly discuss the concepts being shared by the peer leaders.

Sophomores Grace Maresca and Kate Hidalgo and junior Sarallya Boyini spoke with seventh-graders.

After discussing what the terms meant — proactive “taking responsibility,” and reactive as in “affected by their physical environment” — the group discussed real-life situations which had different results based on proactive versus reactive behavior.

One such example was a dog who was restless and barking. A proactive approach to caring for the pet was to take the dog for a walk, making the dog feel better. The reactive approach would be to ignore the dog, and let it continue to be uncomfortable and annoy you with its behavior.

In addition to sharing a video and worksheet peer leaders also took time to discuss Habit 2 — “Begin with the End in Mind.”

“That means developing a clear picture of what you want to do,” Grace said, “to plan ahead, set goals and to do things with meaning.”

One seventh grader said he intends to join the Navy. With that as a goal, he knows he has to get good grades now and stay in good physical shape.

“Small things you do today will set you up for the future,” Sarallya said.

Kate had attended the college fair held at her school the day before. Even though she is a sophomore, she was considering her future.

“It got me thinking,” she said, adding that she would like a career in sales one day.

The leaders also reminded their peers about the importance of making connections and how the relationships they develop now with peers, their teachers and school staff, can one day help them with their goals. It is not uncommon, they said, for someone they have met to know someone who may be able to help them reach their goals, whether that is improving a skill or finding a job.

“Networking is key,” Sarallya said.

“A lot of the world is someone helping you out,” echoed senior Mossiah Smith, who was leading a group of sophomores. “No one makes it on their own.”

Mossiah was joined by fellow peer leader senior Danielle Sydney. The two were also discussing the first two habits.

“Someone will see something in you that you can’t see for yourself,” Danielle said.

As for the future, Mossiah encouraged his peers to be proactive.

“If you know what you want to do, start doing it now,” he said.

The older students are familiar with the 7 Habits as it has been a part of their school culture for much of their time in Elmsford Union Free School District. They each decided to become peer leaders as a way to continue to spread the message to younger students, as someone had done for them.

There is a class available for those interested in becoming a peer leader, Grace said, where they learn valuable leadership skills and develop ideas to work with younger students.

Danielle was hopeful the message she and her peer leader partner shared struck a chord with the younger students.

“It’s better to talk to someone closer to their age,” she said, adding that often students feel more comfortable sharing with one another rather than an adult.

Kacie Shulman oversees the Peers as Leaders group and said there are 35 students in the program, all of whom had to fill out an application and be interview before being accepted into the Peers as Leaders.

In addition to running the lessons relating to the 7 Habits, the leaders also assist with other events, including the “It Starts with Hello” initiative at the start of the school year.

There were 12 Peers as Leaders teaching on Oct. 19.

“I feel that the Peers as Leaders did a great job with their presentations,” Ms. Shulman said. “They worked hard to prepare engaging and educational presentations. This was their first half day of the year and some students who have been part of the Peers as Leaders group have taught these lessons before but others were doing this for the first time. There is always room for improvement but overall I thought the lessons went smoothly.”

The next program will be held on Dec. 19.

“I think the Peers as Leaders program is a great way to get students involved in many school activities and push them to be leaders in the school. By being chosen to participate in the Peers as Leaders program, the students have the opportunity to step up and show their leadership in the school,” said Ms. Shulman. “I look forward to future half days as well as many other programs the Peers as Leaders will help lead.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marc Baiocco explained the district has been using the 7 Habits concepts for about five years. Teachers underwent training by the Covey Foundation and the following year students received instruction.

“Then we began creating those leadership days and doing leadership training,” Dr. Baiocco said. “We have teachers in the room for compliance measures, but ultimately the students are the ones who are leading the session.”

The peer leadership program, the superintendent said, has grown in the past four years.

“They are pals,” he said of the older and younger students, adding the program focuses on students who have good leadership skills, and not necessarily those who are the best academically.

In addition to the workshops, Dr. Baiocco said two service days are incorporated throughout the year. The day before Thanksgiving, students and staff will put together gift baskets to be given to the community. Last year they created 60 baskets. In the spring, a project might include writing letters to service members or making cards for elderly residents in homes.

There are also additional days when the remaining habits are discussed throughout the school year — “Put First Things First,” “Think Win-Win,” “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood,” “Synergize” and “Sharpen the Saw.”

Dr. Baiocco said too that Mr. Covey wrote a second book on an eighth habit, “Find Your Voice,” which is also incorporated into the schools.

“I am always impressed by the day when we get to see our students leading other students,” Dr. Baiocco said. “You see the basic essence of the seven habits. I find it incredibly powerful.