Carr Elementary earns recertification as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School

A light for learning and leadership is shining brightly at Carr Elementary School in Dallas.  

Recently, Carr earned recertification as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, which is a designation given by Franklin Covey Education. It recognizes the school’s continued commitment to infusing leadership education across the curriculum.  The recertification is valid for a two-year period.

Carr became a Leader in Me Lighthouse School in 2023 with a successful, whole-school commitment to concentrating on the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People that were developed by Stephen Covey: Be Proactive; Begin with the End in Mind; Put First Things First; Think Win-Win; Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood; Synergize; and Sharpen the Saw.  Leadership is a central focus for the school, and all students are involved in developing and promoting leadership qualities.

Lauren Stefaniak, the new principal at Carr, says she is eager to carry forward the work of her predecessor, Dr. Rebekah Dunan, who retired in June.  Duncan embraced the leadership concept for Carr and led the efforts with the school’s faculty and staff to secure the Lighthouse School distinction.

“In addition to doing well on their academic work, we expect our students to learn how to become leaders and develop leadership skills that will stay with them for life,” said Stefaniak.  “We are proud to be a Leader in Me Lighthouse School and an example for other schools.”

The four schools in the Dallas area – Carr Elementary, Costner Elementary, W.C. Friday Middle, and North Gaston High – focus on leadership as part of the Gaston County Schools Leadership Academy.  The schools work to incorporate leadership in all facets of the school environment by putting students in leadership roles, encouraging their involvement in clubs and activities, and speaking up to be a voice for their school and classmates.

“Our students take on leadership roles during events such as open house, and instead of having a traditional awards ceremony, we have student recognition days where the students lead the entire program and are honored for their accomplishments,” explained Stefaniak.  “We also ask students to keep a notebook where they can document their leadership experiences and have a record of how they are being responsible, working well with others, solving problems when they arise, and making good choices.  All of this contributes to the students developing skills that will help them in school and as they get older.”

In recertifying Carr as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, the review team noted how the school’s physical environment features visuals and spaces that inspire leadership and learning and how there is consistent effort, strong engagement, and positive collaboration.  Further, the school fosters student ownership of the Leader in Me program and maintains a culture where everyone is welcome, valued, cared for, and supported, according to the review team.

Currently, there are only about 30 Leader in Me Lighthouse Schools in North Carolina, which makes the recognition for Carr Elementary significant.  Stefaniak says she is excited to work with the principals at the other Dallas schools to further enhance the focus on leadership and even help them get Lighthouse School recognition.