Outstanding in Oakville: Laura Montgomery

Laura Montgomery, principal at in Oakville, has been selected by the Van Lunen Center for Executive Management in Christian Schools at Calvin College for a 2011-2012 fellowship. 

The fellows program is designed for school leaders of faith-based schools seeking professional development and executive management growth to provide the best leadership possible in their schools.

Montgomery earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and certification in elementary education at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. She started teaching for Abiding Savior in 1998 when it was then named Washington Lutheran School. When the school moved to its current location on Butler Hill, the current administrator left abruptly, and Montgomery stepped in as the interim principal. She then was extended the offer to become principal and also earned her master’s degree in educational administration from Lindenwood.

Montgomery heard about the fellowship from a colleague. To apply, she had to write an essay, submit a project proposal and two letters of recommendation. She joins a group of 20 educators from across the United States and British Columbia, Montgomery will participate in three one-week sessions of interactive exercises and group programs spread out across the 2011-2012 school year.

“We will go through leadership skills and all the things it takes to run a school including governance, finances, teacher evaluation, supervision, marketing your Christian school … It’s a national fellowship so Christian school leaders from all over the country and Canada will be there (at Calvin College),” Montgomery said.

In between the sessions, the fellows focus on developing a school-based project, which was submitted in their application process.

Montgomery plans to use this project to revamp the vision of the Parent Teacher Program (PTP) to broaden its influence and offerings in family mentoring and parent education. 

“The main purpose of the PTP is to provide opportunities for growth and learning for parents and teachers around topics of mutual interest, especially the Christian nurture and development of children and families,” Montgomery wrote in her application proposal. “While providing time for fellowship and socialization is important, my goal for restructuring the organization is to bring it back to a more academic and family-related focus, and to allow the teachers to play a more integral part and be viewed as experts through presenting educational topics to parents.”

After receiving the fellowship, Montgomery went through an extensive phone interview. She then was assigned a mentor with similar interests to help ease her into the program.

“The reason I selected PTP was to bring it back to more of an academic and parent-help focus,” Montgomery said. “Topics I would like to bring to our parents through our program are cyberbullying; technology in education; study skills; homework tips; social and emotional issues; coping skills; and help with ADD and ADHD.”

Montgomery also hopes to strengthen her leadership skills and to move the school forward with a strong vision.

“I think I have high expectations for myself and am continually learning and growing. Earlier this year I took another master’s class in technology,” she said. “For me it’s the next step in my professional development and seeking to improve myself for the benefit of my school.”

Abiding Savior Lutheran School is a nationally accredited Lutheran School supported by Abiding Savior Lutheran Church. It offers early childhood, preschool and K-8 grade curriculum. For more information, call 314-892-4408 or visit www.abidingsaviorlutheran.org.