By Tyler Dahlgren

Two schools in the state of Nebraska have achieved Lighthouse certification and status in FranklinCovey Education’s Leader in Me model, and they’re separated by less than a mile in the same small town with big-time charm.

Welcome to Wood River, located along Highway 30 between Kearney and Grand Island. What makes this place so special? It’s simple, really. The people.

“We are just a big family here,” said 4th-grade teacher Lindsay Davis, a Wood River alumna herself. “I feel like we go to church together, we go to school together. We are involved in our community together. I love it here.”

More than 7,000 schools globally have implemented the Leader in Me process since its launch nearly a decade ago. Nearly 700 have gone on to achieve prestigious Lighthouse Certification to date.

Leader in Me training helps schools and districts establish a clear vision, set goals, and implement personal accountability systems. Aligned with top-tier educational research and best practices, the model is built on the core belief that every child possesses unique strengths and leadership potential. This foundation is driven by a comprehensive PK-12 framework, the "See-Do-Get" model, and the Student Leadership Portrait and competencies.

Wood River adopted the model a handful of years ago. It didn’t take long before the district’s entire culture started to surge.

“It's completely transformed our building,” Davis said. “Leadership isn't just something that we teach or we do. It's woven into every aspect of everything that we do. When we started, it was kind of a separate program and now it's who we are as a school. It’s part of our culture.”

If you really want to see the model’s effect on the district in real time, stop by the Wood River Talent Show, the main attraction during the district’s end-of-the-year Fun Day. What you’ll see and hear is students supporting students, amplified by loud cheers and endless applause.

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, they do help you support each other,” said 8th-grader Kendall Rennau, referencing the model’s core principles. “There's a habit for that seekers to understand then to be understood. It helps everyone support each other very nicely. There's always an outcome that suits everyone.”

Elementary students were bused to the talent show, which was, in itself, a total embodiment of Leader in Me. The two-hour show was a spectacle, a celebration of students and their talents. There was singing, dancing, piano-playing and much more. The auditorium, packed with proud families, high-schoolers and beaming teachers, erupted with applause after each act.

The event was completely student-run, with the Elementary and Middle School Student Lighthouse Teams serving as the masters of ceremony and backstage crew.

“I feel like a lot of students became more supportive of their peers when we started doing Leader in Me,” said 8th-grader Ali Klanecky. “We’ve gained so many leadership skills, and everybody is always willing to help one another.”

Ask anybody in that auditorium, and they’d tell you the same thing. Wood River is one big team. One big family.

“What makes Wood River unique is that we have everybody on board,” said 7th and 8th-grade teacher Madeline Smith. “Everybody is on the same page in wanting to make Wood River great. It starts with our administration, and then trickles down to our teachers and students.”

Superintendent Terry Zessin “lives and breathes Leader in Me,” said Davis. Teachers feel constantly supported. If one of them shows interest in a webinar or attending a symposium, they’re encouraged to do so. 

“If we didn’t feel supported, then we wouldn’t want to take risks because we’d be worrying about what’s going to happen on the backside,” said Smith. “But we know that they’re going to support us, and if things don’t go well the first round, they’re going to coach us and make it better the next round.”

The model has made teachers’ lives easier, too.

“I would struggle to fully give control to my students in the classroom before,” said Smith. “Leader in Me has taught me that when you empower them, they step up and shine. It’s so cool to see.”

Klanecky, who was introduced to the model as a 4th-grade student, is excited for the jump to high school. She’s looking forward to playing sports and all the different activities high school has to offer. Leader in Me has instilled in her the life skills to get the most out of the next four years.

“I’ve learned a lot of leadership skills through this experience, and it’s kind of changed how I do things,” she said. “It’s also given us the initiative to go out and get a job done.”

For an educator, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a student flourish.

“It’s awesome,” said guidance counselor Matt Cantrell, who is in his fifth-year with the district. “Reaching for excellence is our school mission, and I constantly see kids who are pushing themselves towards their goals and what they want to achieve. Leader in Me gives that framework that they need to do so. They want to get their best out of every moment. They’re excited about success and the success of others.”

That framework has also allowed Cantrell to better connect with each student, which is vitally important for a counselor. The Seven Habits are applicable for teachers, too. It’s a total win-win, he said. Like Davis alluded to, everybody is rowing the boat in the same direction.

“We have the most supportive, respectful and kind teachers at Wood River,” said Rennau. “They’re all about helping the students.”

The talent show came to a close with the entire eighth grade, donning giant faces of Wood River staff, grooving to a mash-up of dance floor ballads. It was the perfect grand finale to another memorable school year at Wood River.

Next year, they know, will be even better. That’s what the Leader in Me model has taught them to believe.

“It’s amazing how much potential these kids have and what they’re capable of,” said Davis. “They love being leaders.”