Dr. Fatima Lawson, principal, L’Etoile du Nord French Immersion School, St. Paul, (pictured above with Dr. Eric Jolly, Science Museum president) has been named the 2007 Science and Mathematics Elementary and Middle Level Principal of the Year. Presented through a partnership of the Science Museum of Minnesota and MESPA, the award recognizes the vital importance of fostering lifelong science literacy and honors the key role principals play in developing a culture that encourages and celebrates student interest in math and science.

Lawson, who received a 2006 Honorary Mention for this award, was nominated by Henriette Ngo-Bissoy, a Science specialist at L’Etoile du Nord. Ngo-Bissoy praised Lawson for her desire to provide opportunities to students regardless of their ability or background. “She could make any being see the world through math and science!” Ngo-Bissoy says.

Lawson supports staff development and coaching. Recognizing that the science specialist alone cannot teach and maintain high standards in math/science, she fosters collaboration among teachers --- emphasizing the need for teachers to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to science, math, and the arts. She also recognizes the importance of literacy; in her Read to the Principal Program, Lawson works with classroom teachers and invites students to come to her office to read and discuss a book of their interest, especially math and science books, every Friday. Finally, Lawson runs a building that takes parental involvement to the next level – partnership, and she was instrumental in getting the school into an ongoing partnership with local scientists.