Lew-Port recognized as Leader in Me Lighthouse School

Article and Photo by Christopher Warner

Lewiston-Porter Intermediate Education Center (IEC) recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its certification as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School by FranklinCovey Education. The prestigious honor was awarded based on the IEC’s commitment to the Leader in Me process, which emphasizes universally valued principles, such as effective communication, goal-setting, and leadership.

Launched in 2009, Leader in Me has been adopted by more than 7,000 public, private and charter schools in the U.S. and numerous countries worldwide, including the U.K., Mexico, India and Japan. Lewiston-Porter now stands in an elite group of institutions that boasts a Lighthouse certification.

Lewiston-Porter Central School District Superintendent Paul Casseri, who had returned from a school-sanctioned trip to China, addressed the assembly held Nov. 20 in the IEC auditorium.

“The Lighthouse certification is not just a title – it reflects the transformative work done by our educators, students and families at the IEC,” he said. “This certification also honors the collaborative effort of our entire school community.”

Casseri praised the efforts of coordinators Julie Stevener, Lindsay Dougherty and Katie Eckstein.

The well-attended event featured the school band, cheerleaders, and a lineup of other speakers, including several high-achieving students, and IEC Principal Tina Rodriguez.

“We are honored to have been certified as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School,” she said. “We have seen amazing results from implementing the Leader in Me model at our school, such as students finding their voice, decrease in discipline issues, attendance, and academic results.”

In a press release, FranklinCovey Education President Sean Covey said of the Niagara County school, “We are thrilled to recognize Lewiston-Porter Intermediate Education Center as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. Schools who achieve this Lighthouse certification are great examples of a strong leadership model and of what it means to be a Leader in Me school. This school has experienced incredible results by implementing the principles and practices related to Leader in Me. And we are so pleased and honored to be their partner and to celebrate the success they are experiencing.”

According to the Leader in Me website (leaderinme.org), the program was “Founded on the belief that everyone has the potential to lead.”

Leader in Me is a comprehensive PK–12 framework that nurtures student leadership, fosters a culture of trust, and boosts academic success.”

The overall theme is largely based on Stephen Covey’s 1989 self-help book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

The IEC (grades 3-5) is part of the Lewiston-Porter Central School District, which educates children from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. Student enrollment is approximately 2,100, with about 330 full-time employees. Notable Kelly green and white alumni include former NFL All-Pro fullback Darryl “Moose” Johnston and award-winning country music singer/songwriter Gary Baker.