McNeal becomes

LIZ RAMOS SENIOR EDITOR

Sheila Waid, principal of Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, beamed with pride as she saw students run the school’s Leadership Day.

Two students served as the master of ceremonies as others went on to describe the leadership projects they worked on, initiatives they led and personal accomplishments they had throughout the year.

Waid surprised students, staff, volunteers and parents April 24 with the news that McNeal Elementary is the first traditional school in Manatee County to become a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, showing their hard work to implement and incorporate the character development program into various aspects of the school day paid off.

Leader in Me is an evidence-based, comprehensive educational leadership and school improvement model. It empowers students to lead in their own learning as they learn the seven habits of highly effective people.

The habits are to be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand and then be understood, synergize, and seek continuous improvement and renewal.

There are 173 Leader in Me schools in Florida. Of those, only 41 schools are Leader in Me Lighthouse Schools.

McNeal began implementing the program five years ago. Ashlie Fulmer, the school’s student support specialist and a Lighthouse coordinator, said the program is woven through curriculum, instructional standards and assessments.

“You’re creating kids who will be successful in whatever they choose,” Fulmer said.

She said every student has a leadership notebook to help them set goals, determine leadership opportunities and celebrate their accomplishments.