Leading the Way : A New Principal Uses Technology to Communicate & Connect

Last night I was browsing the net and decided to check out Intel’s Innovation Odyssey. When the site appeared on my computer I was delighted to see Tim Lauer being recognized! Tim is a principal/teacher/weblogger/ friend. He wears many other hats – and I’m sure, does a great job at all of them. We need more like him in education. It is great to read all about Meriwether Lewis Elementary. The school looks so inviting and you can tell creativity abounds. Tim is using weblogs to communicate with teachers, parents, and the larger community.

Excerpts from the article:

Just inside the front doors of Meriwether Lewis Elementary, a wall-sized mural offers a clue: This is a school that celebrates creativity. Lauer has been contemplating creative ways to merge new and old traditions since he arrived as the brand-new principal this fall.

The favorite part of the new principal’s day? “Lunch duty,” he says with a grin. He often has a digital camera in hand when he’s walking around the playground. Taking photos “is a great way to get to know the kids and interact with them.”

Lauer also has set up an internal weblog for communicating with staff. This online forum replaces the email bulletin that staff used to receive each Friday. Because the software includes a comment feature, teachers can use the weblog to engage in dialog and discussion. Instead of being a message from the principal, the weblog has the potential to spark dialog and build community. As he settles into his new role, Lauer will be using his personal weblog to reflect and connect with an audience of educators from across the country. His weblog, “Education/Technology,” is at http://tim.lauer.name. The Lewis Elementary weblog is at http://lewiselementary.org

I love seeing people like Tim and Joe taking on roles of leadership in education.  The principal is definitely one that can effect change in schools. Tim surely is leading the way – lucky staff and lucky kids! Hmmmm – wish I could move to Portland and be a weblogging teacher……