ATLANTA (August 18, 2023) | On Wednesday, August 23, Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R – Macon), along with Legislative Leaders and members of the Georgia Board of Education, will formally announce the launch of the Leader in Me statewide pilot program following a student-led tour of one of Macon’s Leader In Me Schools, Vineville Academy of the Arts. The announcement comes after the expansion of the Leader in Me model under the Amended FY2023 Budget.
Leader in Me is an evidence-based Pre-K-12 model, developed in partnership with educators, designed to build resilience and leadership in students, create a high-trust school culture, and help improve academic achievement.
The student-centric curriculum aims to foster leadership skills, character development and personal growth in students and is implemented in schools to empower students with the necessary tools to thrive academically and in their personal lives. It is designed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and goal-setting skills. Students learn to take responsibility for their actions, set and work towards personal and academic goals, and develop a strong sense of self-confidence and self-efficacy.
The model’s success in Macon-Bibb County began during the 2015-2016 school year when Macon’s Business Education Partnership raised funds to implement the Leader in Me program within two pilot schools. The positive outcomes and transformative impact led to its expansion countywide in 2018 and is the reasoning behind the statewide expansion initiatives announced earlier this month.
WHO: Senator John F. Kennedy (R – Macon), Representative Robert Dickey (R – Musella), Members of the State Board of Education
WHAT: Tour of Leader in Me Pilot School, Vineville Academy of the Arts, and formal announcement of Leader in Me Statewide Pilot Program
WHEN: Tour of Vineville Academy of the Arts
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 1:30PM
Press Conference to be held following the school tour at 2:30PM
WHERE: Vineville Academy of the Arts
2260 Vineville Ave, Macon, GA, 31204
**Members of the media who wish to attend should RSVP to Charlie Barrett by email at Charlie.Barrett@senate.ga.gov
A link to Senator Kennedy’s full statement regarding this initiative can be found here.
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Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, and portions of Bibb and Houston Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov