Medea Creek principal promoted
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

Laurel Ford

After 17 years, Laurel Ford is finally graduating from middle school. Ford, the longtime principal of Oak Park's Medea Creek Middle School, will move up to the district level as director of instructional services for all five Oak Park Unified schools. The change is effective July 1.

Oak Park Superintendent Tony Knight has said he hopes to appoint a new Medea Creek principal before the end of the school year.

"The school has achieved every possible honor and recognition multiple times," Knight said. "Under her leadership, Medea Creek has become a true state, national and international model for middle grades education."

Ford's new position was eliminated from the district four years ago as a budget-cutting measure. Assistant Superintendent Cliff Moore assumed the role, along with his own responsibilities overseeing personnel. But as part of a reorganization in February the school board restored the director of instructional services position, tapping Ford to fill the opening.

"This position is essential in terms of ensuring the district is always moving forward with the most effective innovations in teaching and learning and that our staff is always receiving the best possible professional development," Knight said.

Born in Whittier, Ford has worked in education for 30 years. She earned an undergraduate degree in education from the University of California, Los Angeles, a master's in education administration and a master's in education psychology from California State University at Northridge.

Ford began her career teaching English and reading at an inner city middle school in Los Angeles. She worked at several other Los Angeles-area middle schools before coming to the Conejo Valley, where she has served as assistant principal at Thousand Oaks and Westlake high schools. She joined the Medea Creek faculty in 1990.

At that time Medea Creek students numbered 300, compared with the current 1,000, according to Ford. Classes met at Oak Park High School because there was no middle school building, Ford said, and teachers were shared by both schools.

"There were no bells because we had different bell schedules. Students had to look at their watches and move quietly between classes," Ford said.

Medea Creek got its own building in 1991, and the first class graduated two years later. The school went on to earn California Distinguished School designations in 1992, '94, '99 and 2005, and National Blue Ribbon honors for 1994-96. It was named a Schools to Watch site in 2004, '05 and '06. Ford will go to Washington, D.C., in June to accept the school's accolades.

"We certainly have developed a cohesive philosophy between students, parents, teachers and staff. It's about working as a team," Ford said.

Although she is looking forward to her new assignment, Ford said she will miss leading the middle school.

"There's a charm about this age. These students have ideas and thoughts of their own. They carry on interesting conversations, value adults still and need to feel validated by adults," Ford said.

In her new role, Ford will oversee curriculum for kindergarten through 12th grades as well as state testing, summer school, textbooks and "anything that has to do with teaching or learning," Ford said.

"Laurel will bring vigor and enthusiasm along with her inclusive, student-centered leadership style to this position," Knight said.