Tyler ISD is proud to announce that Bell Elementary School has earned the prestigious FranklinCovey Education Leader in Me Lighthouse School Certification, a distinction awarded to schools that demonstrate excellence in creating a student-centered leadership culture and empowering students to achieve their full potential.
Bell Elementary joins a select group of campuses worldwide to earn this distinction. Of more than 8,000 Leader in Me schools globally, only about 800 have achieved Lighthouse Certification, including fewer than 100 in Texas.
“This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire school community,” Bell Principal Tamara Johnson said. “Our students embraced leadership opportunities, our staff remained committed to growing every child, and our families and community partners supported our vision every step of the way. This recognition belongs to all of us.”
Leader in Me is based on Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and focuses on leadership development, goal setting, accountability, and student empowerment. Throughout the school year, Bell students participated in leadership teams, service projects, goal-setting activities, classroom jobs, and Leadership Notebooks to track growth and success.
“Achieving Lighthouse Status reflects the leadership culture our students and staff demonstrate every day,” Assistant Principal Jennifer Daniel said. “It is proof that Bell is committed to developing the whole child by empowering students to lead, build strong relationships, and take ownership of their learning.”
Bell’s leadership culture has had a lasting impact on former students, including alumna Lorelai Walker, who credits the campus for helping shape her success.
“Bell Elementary played a huge role in shaping who I am today,” former Bell student Lorelai Walker said. “The 7 Habits taught me to be proactive, set goals, prioritize what matters, and build strong relationships. As a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, I can confidently say those lessons started at Bell. I’m grateful for the foundation Bell gave me and the mindset it instilled for success.”
Bell Elementary School Counselor Kim Collum said the campus set a Wildly Important Goal in August 2025 to achieve Lighthouse Status by May 2026 and worked throughout the year to expand leadership opportunities for students and families.
“Our vision of empowering successful leaders for tomorrow came to life through this process,” Collum said. “Students led tours and shared their learning during the Lighthouse Review, while families, community members, and former Bell Bears helped showcase the lasting impact of Leader in Me at Bell Elementary.”
Lighthouse Certification is awarded to schools that faithfully implement the Leader in Me framework and meet rigorous standards demonstrating leadership growth, academic systems alignment, and strong stakeholder engagement.
For more information, contact Jennifer Hines at Jennifer.Hines@TylerISD.org.