NEWS RELEASE:
Students at Bucyrus Middle School will focus on developing their leadership skills during the 2017-2018 school year through the newly-implemented YouthMAX Leadership Program. The program is being led by Mr. Steve Mohr and is part of the Community Connectors Grant, which also funds The Leader in Me program at Bucyrus Elementary School.
YouthMAX is a youth leadership curriculum, designed to give today’s young people practical tools and ideas to help them navigate life in four key areas: Stand Up & Be Counted (Stop Bullying); Learning to Fail Forward to Success; Developing a Positive Self-Image and Developing Strong Personal Character.
“I meet with seventh and eighth grade students for one class period twice a month,” said Mohr. “I also meet with After-School Program students for one hour once a week.”
Research shows that 1 in 7 students in grades K-12 is either a bully or a victim of bullying. 1 out of every 10 students who drops out of school does so because of repeated bullying.
“With the heavy emphasis on state testing results and other demands, teachers are hard pressed to find the time to teach character education and to develop the so-called “soft skills” that young people will need to be successful in todays’ world,” said Mohr. “YouthMax can build upon, and expand on, the work that teachers do on a daily basis to develop the whole child.”
Bullying, failure, low self-image, and poor character decisions are at the heart of many of the challenges facing young people today. John Maxwell and the John Maxwell Team have decided to do something about it! YouthMAX gives John Maxwell Team members an opportunity to serve youth and youth organizations in their communities by helping youth grow and develop to meet the challenges of life in today’s changing world.
“The habits, strategies and techniques learned by Bucyrus students in The Leader in Me at Bucyrus Elementary School are reinforced and expanded upon in the YouthMax program,” said Mohr. “Nearly 200 students at Bucyrus Middle School are involved in this program during the 2017-2018 school year.
Funding for the program is provided through the county’s Community Connectors Grant. The five core principles of the grant include: setting goals to be prepared for a 21st century career, building character, developing pathways to achievement, building a sense of resiliency and believing in a positive future.
“The YouthMAX program is a great addition to the leadership development programs already in place for our students in the district,” said Bucyrus Superintendent Kevin Kimmel. “I’m thankful that Mr. Mohr is able to bring this curriculum to our students at the Middle School, and look forward to see the positive impact this will have on our students, staff and district.”
To learn more about the YouthMAX program, please visit http://johnmaxwellteam.com/youthmax/.