Gravette Middle School’s Rachel Gibson was surprised with KNWA’s Golden Apple Award in class during the third week of the new school year. Gibson was recognized for the work she put in throughout the summer to prepare for her students, and the creative approaches she uses to capture their attention in class.
Presented by KNWA in partnership with Post Consumer Brands, the Golden Apple Award recognizes Northwest Arkansas educators and school staff through nominations from students, families, colleagues, and community members. Gravette Middle School is the first school of the year for a staff member to receive the award.
Gibson serves as Gravette Schools’ Gifted and Talented Program Director and teaches GT classes for students in sixth through eighth grades. During the interview, Gibson discussed her implementation of Leader in Me in the class, a school-wide program that Gravette Middle School began last year. Built around FranklinCovey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, it is a holistic framework that elevates leadership from something students simply study to something they practice daily. This is done through goal-setting, decision-making, collaboration, student voice, and opportunities taking responsibility. As Gibson explained, the goal is for every student to have opportunities to practice those habits at school and apply them in life outside of school.
Leader in Me is a program in place at Glenn Duffy Elementary, Gravette Upper Elementary, and Gravette Middle School. It gives students repeated opportunities as they progress through school to build healthy life habits. Congratulations to Mrs. Rachel Gibson, and thank you for the time and work you invest in helping Gravette students develop their abilities and learn how to use them well.