Monday, October 7, 2013

BLAIR MOODY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Veteran educator takes over principal's role



Many times, the kickoff of any new school year involves new faces in old places. That adage doesn’t really apply to Laura Tetreault – she’s new to the principal’s role at Blair Moody Elementary School, but hardly new to the environment.

After all, she’s been a teacher at Blair Moody since 1997. With former Principal Michelle Tocco’s move over to the same post at Hoover Middle School this year, for students in the building – and plenty of alumni and parents – Tetreault’s title has changed from popular teacher to popular choice.

For the new principal, the promotion is somewhat of a dream come true.

“I have the good fortune to take over a building in which I have had a say in almost every area,” she said. “The most important thing I needed to put into place was to ensure the staff that we continue the progress we have started in our behavior management program, response to intervention and professional learning and community commitment.”

A married mother of three grown children – and proud grandmother of one – Tetreault enjoys reading, gardening and traveling in her free time.

Her professional goal has been focused on building a team of educators, parents and students where failure is not an option. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Central Michigan University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood from the University of Michigan and Associate of Arts from Schoolcraft College.

She wants parents to know that Taylor educators exist for them and their children. As a school, Blair Moody wants parents to become involved in all aspects of the school. “I also want them to know that they are always welcome and we need them,” she said.

And her management style?

“I want to give teachers complete freedom in how they deliver their instruction, but ask that they know what content is critical,” she said. “I am tough on adherence to content expectations by grade level. As far as students  are concerned, they know all my decisions are based on two things: That they are safe and successful.”

Those types of philosophies made for an outstanding teacher, and will likely make for an outstanding principal at Blair Moody, as well.




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