Bernd Elementary hosts Leadership Day, encourages students to ‘Go to Infinity and Beyond’

"Our students are making gains, and we're also getting them ready to go out and become caring citizens in the world," Principal Amber Daniel said.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Leadership was on full display at Bernd Elementary School on Friday as students took part in the school’s Barned Leadership Academy’s Leadership Day. This year’s theme, “Leadership Will Take You to Infinity and Beyond,” encouraged students to dream big and embrace their potential.

“Everyone has genius, everyone has talent, and they just need to tap into what they feel and what they dream.”

These inspiring words guide Bernd Elementary’s approach to teaching leadership, helping students develop confidence and skills that will serve them beyond the classroom.

Principal Amber Daniel says students have displayed leadership skills through programs like this.

“Our students are making gains, and we’re also getting them ready to go out and become caring citizens in the world,” she said.

Daniel says the program follows principles from Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

“They use those habits to not only build themselves as learners but also to grow socially and emotionally—how to be caring, how to be kind, and how to advocate for themselves,” she said.

Jamier Griffith, a special education teacher at Bernd Elementary, has seen the impact of the program firsthand.

“It boosts their self-confidence, it highlights what they’ve been doing all year long, and it’s a fun way to showcase their growth,” Griffith said.

Griffith says students also keep a leadership notebook to track their academic progress and growth.

“It helps them set goals for becoming lifelong learners and achieving what they want in life,” Griffth added.