Eugene Field students learn to lead

Eugene Field Elementary students and faculty opened the school’s doors Friday for Leadership Day to share how The Leader in Me program makes great things happen in the students’ lives.

Visitors were greeted by a cheering squad and had their photos taken by the photography team.

The theme, “A Million Dreams,” was carried throughout the program.

Continuing throughout the program, the students said every night they have “a million dreams and we are going to make them happen.”

After singing the national anthem, pledging allegiance to the flag and honoring the military, Scarlette Urich, Malinda McElhaney, Grayson Baker, September McCoy and Owen Felts shared the seven habits for highly effective people and leadership models the students use to “bring out the best of each other.”

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you will be among the stars,” the team said.

To reinforce The Leader in Me program works, student Jeremiah Gipson introduced former students and seniors at Poplar Bluff High School Lauren Webb and Brileigh Cates. They, along with a video by Chase Taylor, emphasized how the Leader in Me seven habits have been the foundation for their successes.

Cates, who is one of the top students in the senior class, said, “if you don’t have goals you are kind of winging it.”

She challenged everyone to be involved and “to put yourself out there, love yourself, cherish yourself and be the best person you can be.”

In his video, Chase Taylor said his time at Eugene Field and learning to use the seven habits affected his life in a positive manner.

The students and the staff took the opportunity to honor the school principal Jennifer Taylor, who was one of two Poplar Bluff school administrators who were chosen by their peers to receive regional recognition.

Taylor was named a 2022 Missouri Distinguished Principal Honoree among an elite group of 11.

In recognizing Taylor, resource teacher Pam Heaton said, “by promoting excellent leadership, quality education and professional growth, this award celebrates the profession and exemplifies your outstanding achievements as a school principal.”

Heaton said, during Taylor’s tenure, eight educators under her tutelage have transitioned to administrative positions across the region. She has additionally mentored three principals within the district.

Taylor’s response to receiving the honor was “I am very humbled to be part of a profession that presents so many opportunities to positively impact others every single day. It is an honor to have been selected by my peers to represent the southeast region.”

Information provided by the R-1 School District stated, student achievement at Eugene Field has reached an all-time high in recent years, as the school has consistently scored well about state averages in both English language arts and math. In October, Eugene Field was listed at No. 8 in U.S. News & World Report’s ‘Best Elementary Schools’ out of more than 1,000 ranked statewide based on Missouri Assessment Program scores in the context of socioeconomic demographics. Last year, the elementary school was one of only two in the state, both in Poplar Bluff, to be named National ESEA Distinguished Schools. It was one out of 1,300 Missouri Title 1 educational institutions for closing the achievement gap among student groups.