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New Leader At School

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By MICHELE SAGER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 12, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - When students at Florida College Academy head back to class in August, they'll find a new face leading them.

Lynn Wade is the new principal at the private school. He comes to the academy after working in the Hillsborough County school district for nearly 35 years.

Wade said he saw the job as one more opportunity to make a difference.

"I hope to bring the lessons I've learned from my very long career into this job," he said. "I saw this as my chance to lead a great school one more time. I would love to see my own grandchildren come here."

Wade's last position with the school district before retiring was as supervisor of training.

"It gave me a chance to see how people do a great job and what things don't work," he said. "Hopefully, I'll be able to bring all that knowledge into this job."

Wade started his career in 1973 as a teacher at Shaw Elementary. A few years later he became a curriculum specialist at West Shore Elementary.

He became principal at Lee Elementary in 1983 and moved to the principal position at Northwest Elementary two years later. In 1998, he became principal at Adams Middle School. Two years later, he started working in the district office in his training position.

He left the school district this year.

The start of the school year is more than a month away, but Wade has a list of ideas, such as revamping the instructional calendar and creating a dads club.

"We started a club at one of my previous schools," he said "So many dads want to be involved with their children's school but aren't sure where they fit in."

Wade said dads clubs often center on physical labor and activities that get fathers involved and benefit the school.

Wade said he would like to see greater parent involvement. He said he also wants to work with parents, staff and students regarding his philosophical approach based on the law of origin. The principle is centered on the idea that teachers and parents should encourage the process instead of the end result.

"If you overemphasize an achievement by telling a student that they are so smart or so bright when they hit a level, that student may become complacent and not strive to go beyond that level," Wade said. "Instead, we should praise the student but encourage her or him to see how much further they can go. It's similar to the principles used in sports."

Another goal for Wade is to build enrollment at the school, which is at 156 students for the coming school year. He hopes to increase that number to 180.

During the past five years, Florida College Academy has had four principals. Wade hopes to bring some consistent leadership to the school.

"I've been teaching at the college, so many of the teachers already know me," he said. "I'm not here just to make changes. I'm here to listen and work with the staff."

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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