PLE received its Lighthouse School award at a Leader in Me symposium Wednesday in McAllen.
The recognition comes because the school has achieved outstanding results in school and student outcomes, by implementing the Leader in Me process.
“We are honored to become a Leader in Me Lighthouse School,” principal Jerri Gomez said. “We have seen amazing results implementing the Leader in Me process at PLE. This process not only has had a significant impact on all students. We expect to see greater results over time.”
PLE is the only school south of San Antonio to achieve the Lighthouse School status, and is one of 23 in Texas. Fourteen schools are in the San Antonio area. There are 271 Lighthouse Schools in the nation.
“Lighthouse status is the top-performing level of a lifestyle,” Superintendent Gonzalo Salazar said. “Children are exercising the seven habits of highly effective people, and we know that it wouldn’t have happened without the leadership of Mrs. Gomez and how she got everyone on her campus to believe. There’s an entire movement on the campus working on developing the leader in every child.”
Franklin Covey is known around the world for its “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” program.
PLE has a staff and student teams following the Leader in Me model. The Lighthouse team is comprised of staff members, are the driving force behind the initiatives that will be put forth. The Junior Lighthouse team is comprised of student leaders chosen by their teachers who bring concerns and ideas to the Lighthouse Team. They also serve as student ambassadors for visitors who wish to tour the school.
The Leader in Me program – how schools can develop leaders one child at a time – focuses on the Seven Habits:
- Be Proactive: You’re in Charge
- Begin with the End in Mind: Have a Plan
- Put First Things First: Work First, Then Play
- Think Win Win: Everyone Can Win
- Seek First to Understand. Then Be Understood
- Synergize: Together is Better
- Sharpen the Saw: Balance Feels Best
Since its official launch in 2011, more than 2,500 public, private, charter and magnet schools across 35 schools have adopted The Leader in Me. Educators continue to offer feedback on best practices, which provides continuous improvement and refinement of the process.
