The Leader in Me Program Changing Lives
Mar152019
Gossler Park Elementary announced that their school has been named as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School by Franklin Covey Co. This recognition comes because the school has achieved outstanding results in school and student outcomes by faithfully implementing The Leader in Me program. The announcement was made at Gossler Park School’s annual Leadership Day on Friday, March 15, 2019.
Sean Covey, President, FranklinCovey Education, said, “We are thrilled to recognize Gossler Park Elementary as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. Schools who achieve the Lighthouse Milestone are great examples of a strong leadership model, process, and of what it means to be a Leader in Me school. This school has experienced transformational results by implementing the principles and practices related to The Leader in Me. We are so pleased to celebrate the success they are experiencing.”
Lori Upham, Principal of Gossler Park Elementary said, “We are honored to become a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. We have seen such amazing results from implementing The Leader in Me process at our school, such as increased parent engagement, an increase in students’ confidence as they volunteer to take on classroom and school-wide leadership roles, and a warm and welcoming school culture created by empowering staff and students to find their voices as they all find the leader within themselves.”
The Leader in Me is a transformational school-based program based on Steven Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The program integrates leadership development into the classroom curriculum, activities, faculty/staff development, and physical space, building resiliency and a cultural transformation in children that need it most. Students as young as age five learn how to track their own attendance and academic performance, complete applications and interviews for classroom jobs, and develop and implement service projects to address school and community needs. The Leader in Me is not a class; it’s a way of life. It creates healthy habits in students and staff that encourages them to set goals, positively influence others, and share their talents with their community.
Gossler Park School adopted the program four years ago with the support of Granite United Way. The program has been so successful that Granite United Way recently announced that a $225,000 Leader in Me Challenge has been offered by Mark and Sally Stebbins, owners of PROCON, LLC., to bring The Leader in Me program to all five West Side schools in Manchester. Organizations are already investing in this West Side expansion, including Catholic Medical Center and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
The Leader in Me differs from other whole-school transformation processes in that it offers a holistic, schoolwide 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 coursework, traditions, systems, and culture.
“When you walk in to Gossler Park School, there is a palpable feeling of leadership; a culture of embracing the leader in all of us,” said Patrick Tufts, President and CEO of Granite United Way. “We are so proud of Gossler Park School being named a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, and applaud the students, staff, and administration for their dedication to infusing this transformational program into their school. Every Gossler Park student we meet validates the investment we’ve made in this program. They are developing skills they will leverage for the rest of their lives.”
The Lighthouse Milestone is a highly regarded standard set by FranklinCovey that is attainable by every Leader in Me school. The attainment of the Lighthouse Milestone represents a significant benchmark, and it is evidence that a high standard has been met by a school. Applying for the Lighthouse Milestone typically occurs three to five years after a school begins The Leader in Me program.
Upham recalls an example of a student with poor attendance who began tracking her attendance in her leadership notebook. “Once she recognized how much school she was missing, she set a goal to come to school on time every day. She made it twenty-three days in a row and only missed the twenty fourth day because she was sick. Disappointed that her streak was over, this student started a new one when she returned to school. This process has not only had a significant impact on this student, but on all students. We have seen significant changes in behaviors and know that this will continue to play a positive role in our students’ lives.”
Those wishing to contribute to The Leader in Me expansion can contact Sarah McCluskey at Granite United Way at 603.625.6939 extension 105.
To view photos from Leadership Day click here.