Franklin Covey Company has announced that four elementary schools in the Daviess County Public Schools district have been named Leader in Me Lighthouse Schools. The attainment of the Lighthouse status recognizes the extraordinary impact the schools are having on staff, students, parents, and the greater community by implementing The Leader in Me process with fidelity.
“We are thrilled to recognize Whitesville, Sorgho, East View and Country Heights elementary schools as Leader in Me Lighthouse Schools,” said Sean Covey, Education Practice Leader for the Franklin Covey Company. “Schools who achieve the Lighthouse Milestone are great examples of a strong leadership model and of what it means to be a Leader in Me school. These schools have experienced transformational results by implementing the paradigms and practices related to The Leader in Me. We are so pleased to celebrate the success they are experiencing.”
The Leader in Me is Franklin Covey’s whole school transformation process. It teaches 21st century leadership and life skills to K-12 students and creates a culture of student empowerment, based on the idea that every child can be a leader. The Leader in Me framework helps students learn how to become self-reliant; manage their emotions; set and track goals; do their homework; prioritize their time; increase interpersonal skills, such as resolve conflicts and interact well with others; as well as helps them develop the skills and self-confidence to succeed. Content from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a key component of the overall Leader in Me process.
Whitesville Elementary School principal Cindy Appleby said, “We are honored to become a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. We have seen such amazing results, such as increased student ownership, decrease in behavior incidents and a more positive overall culture in our building. Students now believe they can be leaders and they WANT to be leaders. We expect to see greater results over time.”
“We at Sorgho truly believe that the Leader in Me is preparing our students for the skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century,” said Laura Cecil, principal at Sorgho Elementary School. “We are helping students see the importance of goal setting, planning, responsibility, listening and speaking skills, respect, and overall health for future success. It is a joy to watch this happen and find the greatness in each student and staff member through the Leader in Me.”
Ann Marie Williams, principal at East View Elementary School, said, “The Leader in Me has made an extraordinary impact on my students and staff. Students are taking ownership of their learning through goal setting and tracking their progress. They are making positive choices in behavior when faced with issues, they look for the win-win and they are empowered to take on responsibility. We feel that we are now a beacon that will light the way for future generations.”
Country Heights Elementary School principal Stacy Harper said, “The Leader in Me has truly empowered our students. It is inspirational to see our students beaming with pride and excitement over their knowledge and truly serving as leaders in our school and our community. Our students use the 7 Habits both at school and home. The support and enthusiasm from our parents for the 7 habits and the Leader in Me are foundational components of our students’ growth and success.”
The Leader in Me differs from other whole school transformation processes in that it offers a holistic, school wide experience for staff, students, and parents, and creates a common language and culture within the school. The leadership principles and lessons are not taught as a curriculum, but instead, are incorporated into the coursework, traditions, systems, and culture.
