TAF Academy Principal Named

The Federal Way Public Schools Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Laura Davis Brown as principal of the Technology Access Foundation Academy (TAF Academy) effective July 1, 2008.

Ms. Brown has served as principal at Seattle’s Thomas Tyler Minor Elementary since August, 2006, and was the assistant principal at the New School at South Shore during the 2005-06 school year.

The TAF Academy is based on a unique sixth through 12th grade public school model that prepares students for college and life by using project-based learning rooted in science, technology, engineering and math.  Funded through a unique public/private partnership between the Technology Access Foundation and the Federal Way Public Schools, the TAF Academy will open on Sept. 2, 2008 on the campus of Totem Middle School.

“We are excited to have someone with the Laura’s experience in creating this unique learning environment for our students,” said Federal Way Public School Superintendent Tom Murphy.

The TAF Academy will be located in a separate facility on the Totem Middle School campus, and first-year enrollment is projected to be 150 students in 6th, 7th, and 9th grades. Students will enroll through the normal Federal Way Public Schools enrollment and registration process.

”After spending nearly three years developing the TAF Academy model and signing a partnership agreement with Federal Way, we are excited to have found someone with Laura’s experience to launch and lead our very first TAF Academy,” said TAF’s Executive Director Trish Dziko.

Ms. Brown has been serving students in various capacities throughout her 19 years with the Seattle Public School District. Her efforts have been dedicated to support academic success for all. “I am excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the creation of the TAF Academy, which has been a dream of the foundation for several years,” Ms. Brown added.

April 18, 2008