Taking HOMies from the classroom to the whole school

Demetrius Fuller developed the HOMies to promote a strong work ethic, curiosity, and risk-taking among his students at the Sokolowski Elementary School in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The Sokolowski School is an urban elementary school serving grades 1 through 4. Of its more than 500 students, 70% speak English as a second language, 90% qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, and 85% identify as Latinx.

The HOMies are a group of eight characters that each personify a habit of mind successful writers, mathematicians, scientists, artists, and others employ to excel in their field. The HOMies and their habits are:

A few years ago, the HOMies spread to the rest of the school, in large part because of the relationship between Demetrius and his principal, Nate Meyers. Nate knew how to support Demetrius and how to help the HOMie project spread to other teachers and classrooms until it became part of the entire school’s culture. Linda Nathan, as Demetrius’ leadership coach, met Demetrius and Nate to talk through how they could further integrate the HOMies into the daily life of the school.