Lynch Foundation Executive Director Katie Everett presented the Carolyn Lynch Community Impact Award to Suzanne Norman, right, at the Lynch Leadership Academy fifth anniversary celebration, held in Google's Kendall Square offices. (Rose Lincoln)
The Lynch Leadership Academy celebrated its fifth anniversary with a school leadership summit at Google鈥檚 Kendall Square offices, and an evening ceremony to recognize innovative school leadership and support with awards named in honor of the academy鈥檚 late benefactor, Carolyn A. Lynch.
The first educational leadership development program in the country to bring together principals from public, charter and Catholic schools, the Lynch Leadership Academy was established at Boston College through a $20 million gift from the Lynch Foundation, created by Trustee Peter S. Lynch 鈥�65, H鈥�95, P鈥�01, and Mrs. Lynch H鈥�09, P鈥�01, who passed away last year.
A joint initiative of the Lynch School of Education and the Carroll School of Management, the academy welcomed its first group of school leaders in 2011 for its yearlong leadership development program. An Aspiring Principal Program was launched in 2013 to prepare prospective school leaders.
鈥淭his is the best thing we鈥檝e ever done,鈥� said Peter Lynch, noting that through their foundation, he and Mrs. Lynch were early supporters of national initiatives such as Teach for America. 鈥淣othing compares with the scale of this. We think the Lynch Leadership Academy can be replicated in cities like Oakland, Miami, Philadelphia or Washington, DC. This could be a major initiative for the country.鈥�
The success of the academy was particularly gratifying since he and Mrs. Lynch鈥攁 tireless advocate on behalf of Catholic schools, inner-city schools and the teaching profession鈥攚orked on the design of the initiative prior to its launch in 2010, he said during an interview.
鈥淲e were really involved in this one. And Boston College has done so much for the Lynch Leadership Academy,鈥� said Lynch, singling out University President William P. Leahy, S.J., former Lynch School Dean Joseph O鈥橩eefe, S.J., and his successor Maureen Kenny, and Carroll School Dean Andy Boynton. 聽
To date, the academy has served more than 150 principals and aspiring principals, who provide leadership to schools that educate approximately 65,000 students combined, LLA Executive Director Thaly Germain said. Its sixth cohort starts this summer.
The academy presented the Carolyn Lynch Impact Awards at the May 5 anniversary event. Lynch Foundation Executive Director Katie Everett presented the Community Impact Award to Suzanne Norman, who serves as an executive advisor to Orchard Gardens Pilot School Principal Megan Webb, a 2014 academy alumna. Norman helped Webb reestablish the Roxbury school鈥檚 advisory board, expand its online presence and conduct a student art show fundraiser.
The Student Achievement Award went to Salem Academy Charter School, led by 2014 academy alumna Stephanie Callahan. Students at the school have outperformed peer schools on assessments and other measures. 聽
Germain spoke about the positive difference teachers and principals made in her own life and how those examples have guided the development of the academy鈥檚 work with school leaders.
鈥淓ducation is actually the civil rights movement of our time,鈥� Germain said. 鈥淭here is a huge debate about that. But I see it when I think about the importance of the teachers, school leaders and our partners and how we have all impacted the lives of so many students.鈥�
Among the school leaders who have participated in the program, 100 percent of the Catholic and charter schools and 92 percent of the public schools led by fellows have demonstrated significant growth in student outcomes, according to Germain.
Applications to the program have surged by 400 percent, leading to a competitive entrance process that accepts about 35 percent of all applicants.
鈥淲e have not arrived,鈥� Germain told the audience. 鈥淭here is a ton of work to be done.鈥�
By Ed Hayward | News & Public Affairs