Mitchell Elementary Becomes One of 46 Legacy Leader in Me Schools

Andrew J. Mitchell Elementary School in Henderson became one of only 46 schools worldwide to earn a Legacy Leader in Me Lighthouse designation.

The school received the recognition at the end of the previous academic year but held a ceremony on Friday to officially celebrate the achievement. Principal Tracy Echeverria stated that fewer than 5% of Leader in Me schools globally have secured this specific honor.

The Leader in Me program began at Mitchell Elementary in 2011 under former principal Ben Day. The framework is based on the belief that every student has the potential to lead. The program aims to build leadership skills alongside academic success. It has since expanded to thousands of K-12 schools in more than 70 countries.

Muriel Summers, who served as principal of A.B. Combs Elementary School in Raleigh, North Carolina, for 20 years, attended the Friday event. Summers co-authored the book "Leader in Me" and led the first school to adopt the model. She told the audience that the school is special because it views students as more than test scores.

"They are our future and are our leaders," Summers said. "With that comes probably the most important work we as educators can do. And that is to not just prepare our students for what they do in school but more importantly, prepare them for life after school."

To earn the initial Lighthouse School Designation, a school must meet nine specific criteria. These include ongoing professional development for staff, direct instruction in leadership principles for all students, and active partnership with families. The school maintains this certification for two years before undergoing a virtual self-assessment for re-certification.

The Legacy status is more difficult to achieve. A school must hold Lighthouse certification for at least eight years. It must also show sustained innovation and growth in most areas of the program. Additionally, the school must make a distinctive contribution to the Leader in Me community or the broader education sector.

Mitchell Elementary met these requirements after maintaining its Lighthouse status for the required period. The school has continued to integrate leadership habits into its daily operations. Echeverria said the recognition reflects the school's long-term commitment to empowering students.

"Building upon a journey that began many years ago and continues today, Mitchell Elementary’s recognition as a Leader in Me Lighthouse Legacy School reflects an enduring commitment to growing students who are empowered to be the best they can be," Echeverria said.

Former principal Ben Day also attended the celebration. He noted that he started the implementation process in 2011 with the goal of creating a distinctive school culture. Day said he is proud that students leave Mitchell with skills for working with others and leading their own lives. He expressed surprise at the school's global ranking but affirmed his belief in the program's potential.

The ceremony included the hanging of a banner displaying the new distinction. The event was held in front of the entire Mitchell student body and staff. Students from neighboring King Elementary attended as guests. District representatives and community members were also present for the morning festivities.