lead with
magic
ABOUT ME
Lynmara Colón brings the perspective of a teacher, assistant principal, and principal—positions she has held since joining education in 2003. As principal of an Elementary School in 2014, she served over 1,000 students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade and was able to increase reading engagement by leading a culture of literacy, personalized learning, and collaborative learning teams.
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Lynmara believes all schools should be run like Disney; providing magical experiences to every student regardless or their background. She now heads the office that provides comprehensive registration services to English learners and immigrant children, including translation and interpretation services, to a school division serving over 90,000 students. These students represent 124 countries and 149 languages. Colón holds two master’s degrees: a degree in curriculum and instruction, and the other in educational leadership. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in education through Old Dominion University.
WHAT'S NEW?
EMPOWERING OUR GIRLS
Girl Power! It's a popular marketing message that shows up on pink T-shirts across the nation. But sparkly words are not enough to get girls to realize their innate value and reach for their true potential.
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In Empower Our Girls, educators Lynmara Colón and Adam Welcome collaborate with a strong cast of contributing authors to shine a light on simple, meaningful changes that need to take place in schools and society at large to help girls achieve more.
The words used to describe girls and define traditional roles can set unintentional limits for girls. It’s time for a change! It’s time for girls to hear the truth:
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Tears are not a sign of weakness.
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Being bold enough to ask for what you want doesn’t make you "bossy."
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Glass ceilings are meant to be shattered.
Opening the Door for Girls to Achieve More
REDESIGNING SCHOOLS
Lynmara Colón brings the perspective of a teacher, assistant principal, and principal—positions she has held since joining education in 2003 — to her work in literacy. As principal of Mary Williams Elementary School in 2014, she served over 1,000 students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade and was able to increase reading engagement by leading a culture of literacy. She now heads the office that provides comprehensive registration services to English learners and immigrant children, including translation and interpretation services, to a school division serving over 90,000 students. These students represent 124 countries and 149 languages.
Environments Inspired by Literacy
LEADING FOR MAGIC
Is your school the happiest place on earth? Are children, staff members, and parents clamoring to enter the doors every morning? If so, congrats! If not, why not? And how can we create a climate overflowing with optimism, happiness, partnership, and "of course" rigorous learning? Discuss the keys to making magic throughout the school environment with Director and Mary Williams Elementary School (VA), award-winning school principal. You needn't wait for great things to happen to you to justify establishing a joyous environment: Go ahead and make your own magic, and great things will follow. This engaging, interactive session will include video clips, opportunities for discussion, and authentic fun.
Bringing Joy to the School House