During the 2015 St. Louis Symposium, I visited LaSalle Middle School and heard a presentation from the leadership of three Rockwood Middle Schools. LaSalle would be an amazing school just to walk through since it seems that every hallway space has been utilized as a teachable moment with inspirational quotes and displays. In addition to the beautifully painted walls, a simple item caught the eye of visitors. Outside each classroom hung a small white board. The teachers could easily write a message with a white board marker and change it often.
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My guide for the school tour was an 8th grader who was new to the school this year. I asked him what was different between his former school and LaSalle. I thought it was interesting that he did not start out with talking about the 7 Habits but said, "The teachers care about you more here. I was having trouble writing a paper and my LA teacher took time with me after school. Teachers really want you to be successful."
During one of the St. Louis Symposium presentations, the middle school principals from Crestview and LaSalle indicated that discipline referrals have significantly decreased since the implementation of the leadership theme. These middle schools are exciting examples of leadership work with 6th-8th grade students.
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