Lisa McLaughlin, who led Waterloo Elementary School to win a nationwide contest to build a new playground and who led the efforts to make Waterloo the only STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) school in Monroe County, has been named principal of Custer Elementary School, the district’s largest elementary school.

     “Lisa has been an innovative education leader at Waterloo and has led the school during an unprecedented time of a growth in learning opportunities for her students and staff,” said Julie Everly, deputy superintendent, Monroe Public Schools.  “She is a participative leader, one who will lead another very strong staff and a large number of dedicated school parents who strongly support Custer School.”

     Mrs. Everly added that Mrs. McLaughlin strongly believes in “connecting” with students as part of the educational engagement process.

     “Lisa takes a personal interest in the success of all of her students.  Whether it is dressing up like the Cat in the Hat to stress the importance of reading, or creating gardens for her students to experience life sciences, Lisa understands the investment and dedication that creating a true community of learners requires,” Mrs. Everly said.

     Mrs. McLaughlin earned her Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Toledo.  She also earned her Masters Degree in Education and her Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

     Waterloo became the first STEAM school in Monroe County in the 2014-15 school year, under the leadership of Mrs. McLaughlin.  That dedication has continued over the summer as Waterloo has started its own summer learning camps, the only Monroe school which has such offerings for its students this summer.

     In her time at Waterloo, Mrs. McLaughlin has forged ties with the University of Michigan where U of M Hospital staff take a day hosting Waterloo students, talking to them about career paths that include college.  Several times in recent years, U of M football players came to Waterloo to speak with students about the importance of getting a good education.  She also led the charge to help Waterloo win a $25,000 playground improvement grant from Bridgestone Tires in a nationwide contest in the spring of 2014.  Under Mrs. McLaughlin’s leadership, Waterloo became the district’s first Green School for its environmental activism. 

     Interviews will begin shortly to choose a successor for Mrs. McLaughlin at Waterloo.