Lakes International Language Academy in Forest Lake has named Cameron Hedlund director of the Spanish-immersion elementary charter school opening fall 2004.Hedlund will complete the academic year as principal of Lino Lakes Elementary, where he was recognized for his role in leading that school to notably high Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments results, including a top ranking in 2003 out of 800 schools statewide for writing scores among fifth graders.
ìIím excited to join Lakes International, because itís a rare opportunity as an administrator to help shape a school from the ground up," Hedlund said.
Charter schools in Minnesota, such as Lakes International, are tuition-free public schools that must meet all state and federal academic standards. However, charter schools are encouraged to develop and explore alternative methods of achieving those standards.
ìI was most interested in the combination of the Spanish-immersion approach, which promotes second-language proficiency by sixth grade, and the globally focused International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program curriculum at Lakes International,î Hedlund said.
An active participant in the 2002-2003 Forest Lake Schools task force that studied adding Spanish-immersion program to District 831, Hedlund has gained an appreciation for the unique learningóand teachingóopportunity immersion provides.
ìTeaching in this environment will be especially invigorating and rewarding,î he said.
An administrator and teacher in the Forest Lake Area Schools for the past 30 years, Hedlund helped to develop the physical education curriculum and the special education programs within the district. He led the development of the Forest Lake Area Learning Center and served as its principal.
A former District 504 coordinator, Hedlund has also taught in the Columbia Heights and Mound-West Tonka districts.
Hedlund earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from the University of Minnesota, where he also completed a vocational licensure program and two principal licensure programs. He lives with his wife and two children in Lexington.
Lakes International is accepting applications for fall 2004 enrollment. A parent information session will at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, at North Lakes Academy in Forest Lake, next to Flyaways Gymnastics on NW 7th Ave. Free child care is available.
Visit www.lakesinternational.org or call 651-464-0771 for details.
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