Tucker Elementary Achieves Lighthouse Status

“I like Tucker because leadership is cool here.” This student comment sums up the culture of the Perry, GA elementary school. Tucker Elementary was recently named the 21st The Leader in Me Lighthouse School. A 2nd -5th Title I school with 72% free and reduced lunch, Tucker has experienced great results since beginning their leadership journey. According to Principal Dr. Kimberly Halstead, students are actively involved in various aspects of running the school.

What does student leadership look like at Tucker Elementary?

• Student-run announcements include the daily singing of a student-written leadership song.
• Students understand, and can explain the data in their Leadership Notebooks. They know why data is tracked and use it to improve. Students can also explain classroom and schoolwide goals and data.
• A PALS mentoring program includes student-to-student mentoring each morning.
• An active Student Lighthouse Team consists of 2nd-5th grade students who meet with the Staff Lighthouse Team.
• New students are given a tour of the building and learn about the 7 Habits and Tucker’s leadership culture from other students through the “New Tucker Leader” program.
• Students earn lanyard pins by exhibiting leadership skills. On special days, students wear their lanyards and proudly display their leadership achievements. 
  

Parents love that it is now popular to be a leader at school and are thrilled that their student is proud to show off his/her leadership roles and skills. Parent attendance at school events has increased from 2010-2011 participation well beyond the 25% goal set by the Lighthouse Team, Parents feel The Leader in Me also offers increased emotional safety to their kids.

Tucker’s goal is to help students “build a uniform from the inside out” through leadership. A strong three-year sustainability plan, including allocated funds, has been established so that staff can experience continued training and improvement to accomplish this goal.

Tucker Elementary has done a remarkable job of making leadership “cool” and is reaping the rewards of intrinsically motivated students.