MADISON – After satisfying stringent requirements, Heritage Elementary School has qualified for national recertification as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School.

“This (recertification) is a very involved process, and I am so proud of our school community,” Heritage Principal Dr. Georgina Nelson said after receiving notification on the last day of school on May 25.

The Lighthouse Certification involves a highly-regarded standard that Franklin Covey set for each Leader in Me school to attain. (leaderinme.org) These schools have an extraordinary impact on faculties, students, parents and the greater community.

“Leader in Me Lighthouse Certification is a tremendous honor held only for those schools who show evidence of implementation of teaching leadership principles, creating a leadership culture and aligning academic systems,” Nelson said. “The processes involved with becoming both a Leader in Me School and a Lighthouse School help us teach and support our students in becoming the leaders of tomorrow.”

Several practices at Heritage sets the school apart from others and essential to Leader in Me recertification, Nelson said:

* Ownership — Students own their learning by setting both personal and academic goals and tracking their goals throughout the year.

* Student voices — The youth participate in student-led conferences where they can discuss their learning, areas of strength and next steps with their parents/guardians.

* Taking charge — Students have leadership roles within their classrooms and within the school.

* Speaking out — Students have a voice in the decision-making process at their school through the Student Lighthouse Team and through processes to hear the student voices.

* Daily habits — Students learn about “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” from Stephen R. Covey’s book. They find ways to use those habits as a school and community leader.

In addition, Leader in Me applies a theory of change known as the “See-Do-Get Cycle.” When a person changes the way to see things, that perspective influences what the individual does and the results.

For example, use the perspective that ‘everyone can be a leader’; do not endorse ‘leadership is for the few.’ Another example encourages to ‘develop the whole person,’ but not ‘focus solely on academic achievement.’

“Congratulations to our entire Heritage family on this milestone,” Nelson said. “We certainly are growing leaders here at Heritage.”

For more information, visit leaderinme.org.