At the November meeting, the featured guest speaker was Monica Speaks, Clear View High School’s principal.

Clear View High School began more than 20 years ago as the Alternative Learning Center for Clear Creek ISD. Today is one of two district charter schools and offered enrollment for students in grades 9-12. Classes are smaller, with a maximum of twelve students. In addition to core curricula, some programs lead to job certifications in health care and cosmetology and a support system to help with other issues that can make the school years difficult. Clear View’s motto is ‘a place to begin, belong and become.’

Ms. Speaks discussed the second core value of Assistance League^®, Leadership. She cited examples from Sean Covey’s ‘Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens,’ modeled after his father’s best-selling ‘Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ and the blueprint for the district’s Leader in Me program.

Ms. Speaks emphasized three habits rooted in effective leadership – Sharpen the Saw (taking care of yourself), Begin with the End in Mind (setting goals, flexibility, and considering the consequences of your actions), and Seek First to Understand, and then To Be Understood (active listening).

Assisteens^® were equally fortunate to hear from Ms. Speaks afterward when Vice Chairman Marketing and Communications, Kate Marks posed some questions as they related to the topic.