Leader Valley

Leader Valley Leader Valley works to change lives through leadership by bringing the Leader in Me program to Cedar Valley schools

Leader Valley's mission is to develop the leadership skills of Cedar Valley students so that every student is prepared to contribute to the success of the Cedar Valley community and its businesses. We are achieving this through the Leader in Me initiative. Leader in Me is a school-based initiative that gives all students the opportunity to develop the skills and mindsets needed to be successful st

udents and future leaders in the workforce. Leader in Me uses Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to allow students to develop skills like responsibility, teamwork, perseverance, public speaking, time management, and resiliency. All students in Leader in Me schools have the opportunity to set and achieve goals, take ownership of their learning, have a voice in school decisions, and take on leadership roles that give them a taste of future career fields. Leader in Me is currently being implemented in 23 schools in six Cedar Valley school districts. Our goal is to bring Leader in Me to all 34 Cedar Valley schools and expand outward to create quality, consistent leadership development opportunities across the entire community for all PreK-12 students.

The new school year is officially underway, and we want to take a moment to give a warm welcome to the incredible leader...
09/01/2026

The new school year is officially underway, and we want to take a moment to give a warm welcome to the incredible leaders stepping into new administrative leadership roles across our Leader in Me schools!

Congratulations to each of these educators as they begin the year in their new positions. We’re grateful for your commitment to growing leadership, belonging, and excellence for students across the Cedar Valley. Here’s to a great year ahead! 💙🌟

Nashua-Plainfield Community Schools
Kittrell Elementary School
Wapsie Valley Jr./Sr. High School
Bosco Catholic School System
Columbus Catholic High School
Hoover Middle School (Waterloo, IA)
Becker Elementary
Bunger Middle School

One Month Away! Difficult conversations are part of leadership, but knowing how to navigate them well is what sets great...
08/31/2026

One Month Away!

Difficult conversations are part of leadership, but knowing how to navigate them well is what sets great leaders apart.

"Saying the Tough Stuff: Leading Difficult Conversations" Leadership Accelerator is just ONE MONTH AWAY, and we still have seats available!

Whether you’re leading a team, managing conflict, giving difficult feedback, or simply trying to communicate more effectively, this session will give you practical tools and strategies to approach tough conversations with confidence, clarity, and empathy.

September 23rd, 2026
8:00am-4:30pm

A big shoutout to Lincoln Savings Bank for hosting us!
360 Westfield Ave., Suite 6
Waterloo, IA 50701

Don’t wait until the conversation is unavoidable, prepare now.

Register today!
https://leadervalley.org/leadership-accelerators/

We are so grateful to 7 Brew Cedar Falls for choosing Leader Valley as the beneficiary of their Caffeine for a Cause wee...
08/26/2026

We are so grateful to 7 Brew Cedar Falls for choosing Leader Valley as the beneficiary of their Caffeine for a Cause weekend, and equally grateful for the amazing Cedar Valley community who showed up with such kindness and generosity!

At today’s ribbon cutting hosted by our friends at Grow Cedar Valley, 7 Brew presented Leader Valley with a donation of $10,107.67, all raised through customers who gave what they wished for their drinks during the soft‑opening "Caffeine for a Cause" weekend. Your generosity directly supports leadership development for students across the Cedar Valley, and we couldn’t be more thankful.

Thank you, 7 Brew of Cedar Falls, and thank you to every community member who contributed. Your support helps empower thousands of students with the confidence, skills, and leadership habits that will help them thrive for years to come. 💙

Taste of Leadership is THIS WEEK - don’t miss it!Our first Taste of Leadership Accelerator is happening this week on Aug...
08/25/2026

Taste of Leadership is THIS WEEK - don’t miss it!

Our first Taste of Leadership Accelerator is happening this week on August 27, 2026, and there are still a few spots open for this free, virtual session.

This is your chance to get a preview of several of our most popular leadership accelerators and walk away with tools you can put to use right away. During this session, you’ll explore content from:
• Difficult Conversations
• Emotional Intelligence
• 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

It’s a great way to sample multiple topics, build practical skills, and decide which accelerators you may want to join throughout the year.

Save your spot while they’re still available by emailing Kristen at [email protected].

To explore the full 2026-2027 Accelerator schedule, check out: https://leadervalley.org/leadership-accelerators/

We hope to see you soon!

Get Ready for a Fresh Taste of Leadership on August 27!We’re excited to kick off the year with our first Taste of Leader...
08/20/2026

Get Ready for a Fresh Taste of Leadership on August 27!

We’re excited to kick off the year with our first Taste of Leadership Accelerator on August 27, 2026 - a free, virtual opportunity to jump‑start your professional growth.

This session gives you a sneak peek into several of our most popular accelerators. You’ll explore insights and tools from:
• Difficult Conversations
• Emotional Intelligence
• 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

This is a great way to sample multiple topics, build practical skills you can use right away, and get a feel for other accelerators you may want to join throughout the year.

To register, email Kristen at [email protected].

To explore the full 2026-2027 Accelerator schedule, check out: https://leadervalley.org/leadership-accelerators/

We hope you'll join us!

Thank you to our friends at Grow Cedar Valley for featuring Dr. Melissa Reade and Leader Valley in their latest Live the...
08/19/2026

Thank you to our friends at Grow Cedar Valley for featuring Dr. Melissa Reade and Leader Valley in their latest Live the Valley blog post. The story highlights what makes our work so meaningful, from spotting a Leader in Me student by their confidence and connection, to helping kids learn leadership skills long before adulthood.

We loved seeing Melissa’s reflections highlighted, including her reminder that “leadership is a choice, not a position” and that great leaders lead with integrity, humility, and a “loving edge.” The blog also shines a light on the impact of Leader in Me across 31 schools and the importance of developing both students and our regional workforce.

We’re proud to be part of a community striving toward “one big, great Cedar Valley,” where abundance, collaboration, and shared growth guide the way. 💙

Check out the blog feature in the link below and drop a comment to let us know what you think! ⬇

https://livethevalley.com/2026/08/18/leadership-is-a-choice-not-a-position/?_kx=n6pw7FrLcPSnnHNa3T7YxBTBIhJ4oX5EL256NhJej94.THt2rU

Over the last two weeks, we had the privilege of hosting two summer 7 Habits of Highly Effective People sessions for edu...
08/19/2026

Over the last two weeks, we had the privilege of hosting two summer 7 Habits of Highly Effective People sessions for educators as we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year!
There’s something so special about bringing new educators from our Leader in Me schools together in the same space to learn, connect, reflect, and grow.
This room was filled with SO many incredible humans who showed up ready to become the best version of themselves and, most importantly, make a meaningful difference in the lives of ALL kids.
Here’s to a new school year filled with intentional leadership, growth, connection, and impact!

Lowell ElementaryBecker ElementaryOrange ElementaryKingsley ElementaryWapsie Valley Jr./Sr. High SchoolFairbank Elementary-Wapsie ValleyWaverly-Shell Rock Community School DistrictWaverly-Shell Rock Middle SchoolNashua-Plainfield Community SchoolsHoover Middle School (Waterloo, IA)Expo Alternative Learning CenterColumbus Catholic High SchoolSaint Edward Catholic SchoolBlessed Maria Assunta Pallotta Middle School

It's the final day for "Caffeine for a Cause" at 7 Brew Cedar Falls!There’s still time to swing through the brand‑new 7B...
08/16/2026

It's the final day for "Caffeine for a Cause" at 7 Brew Cedar Falls!

There’s still time to swing through the brand‑new 7Brew in Cedar Falls and make your coffee run count. Today is the last day where 100% of proceeds go directly to Leader Valley, supporting leadership development for students across the Cedar Valley and beyond.

📍 7Brew Cedar Falls
6003 University Ave, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

🕒 Today’s Hours (Aug 16):
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

If you haven’t made it out yet, now's the time. If you already stopped by, we’d love to see you again. Help us finish strong - grab a drink, spread the word, and help us wrap up this incredible three‑day event with purpose and impact! ☕💙

One of our amazing supporters let us know that the card reader is down at 7 Brews right now. If you are planning to head...
08/14/2026

One of our amazing supporters let us know that the card reader is down at 7 Brews right now. If you are planning to head out and support us today, take some cash or head over to https://leadervalley.networkforgood.com to make a donation.

We appreciate you all!

Today's the Day - "Caffeine for a Cause" is officially underway! ☕🎉7 Brew Cedar Falls is serving up delicious drinks all...
08/14/2026

Today's the Day - "Caffeine for a Cause" is officially underway! ☕🎉

7 Brew Cedar Falls is serving up delicious drinks all weekend long, with 100% of proceeds supporting Leader Valley. Your morning pick‑me‑up, mid‑day boost, or treat‑yourself drink can help fuel leadership development for students across the Cedar Valley and beyond.

📍 7Brew Cedar Falls
6003 University Ave, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

🕒 Event Hours
August 14: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
August 15: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
August 16: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Swing through this weekend, grab your favorite brew, and help kick off this three‑day event with purpose and community spirit. Let’s make it unforgettable.

*Their card readers have been down today so make sure to take cash!*

Address

6711 Chancellor Drive, Suite 2
Waterloo, IA
50613

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+13192321156

Website

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