CONTACT: Connie Harris, (850) 645-7146; <charris@coe.fsu.edu>

By Connie Harris
July 14, 2008

FLORIDA STATE CHARTER SCHOOL ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The board of directors of Florida State University Schools has selected Lynn Wicker as the new director of the charter/research school, effective July 23.

Among her duties, Wicker will provide leadership and guidance to the administration, faculty and staff regarding comprehensive and strategic planning while developing cutting-edge research programs. She will work closely with the board of directors to develop, administer and evaluate programs at the school related to operations, improvement, staffing and community involvement. The director also serves as the primary external representative to the public and liaison to FSU administration.

“Dr. Wicker is a proven leader and was highly recommended from outside the College of Education,” said Robert Broome, chairman of the Florida State University Schools (FSUS) board of directors. “She met or exceeded all the general board needs for the director, especially in this critical time of shrinking budgets.”

Broome said that the school is facing some challenges as a result of recent state budget cuts and that it needs a director who can work to build resources from other sources and make critical decisions to move FSUS to a higher level, even in the face of those challenges.

“She exhibits a genuine desire to work with K-12 schools, specifically FSUS, and a willingness to rebuild the research and model school process in line with the visions of the board, school and our connection with FSU,” Broome said. “We believe Dr. Wicker is the right person and that we will have the best team to move us forward during these critical times.”

“Lynn’s selection for this position will further solidify the relationship between FSUS, the College of Education and Florida State, in general,” said Marcy P. Driscoll, dean of FSU’s College of Education. “In addition to her outstanding professional experience, she has broad knowledge of and experience with FSU specifically, and that will serve her well as she works to build on existing collaborations and success.”

Wicker has an extensive background in education, having served as a teacher and principal at the elementary level, an assistant principal at the middle school level, a clinical associate professor in educational leadership at Florida State University, and most recently an associate dean for FSU’s College of Education. She succeeds interim director William E. “Bill” Johnson. Wicker says she hopes to expand on the school’s achievements to build a model school.

Florida State University Schools is the FSU College of Education’s developmental research school in Tallahassee. The 1,600-student K-12 school is operated under a charter agreement by FSU and provides a venue for educational research, curriculum innovation, educator development and statewide reform efforts. Activities at the school advance educational research, support teacher training and create grant funding for academic programs and research.

The school works with FSU faculty and students on research initiatives focusing on instructional techniques and materials, computer-assisted learning and reading development, as well as providing an outlet for clinical teaching internships and service learning experiences. Long-term objectives focus on curriculum development, research of learners and learning systems, and teacher professional development, while addressing education issues of the state and nation. As a part of its charter, the school’s student population reflects the distribution of demographic characteristics of students in Florida’s public school system.

“FSUS has already attained greatness in the academic standing and achievement of its students, as well as its superior athletic and arts accomplishments,” Wicker said. “My goal is to work with the board of directors to build on those accomplishments to move the school toward world-class standards and achievements. Ultimately, I see FSUS as a model school in the state of Florida, the nation and internationally in educational innovation and leading the way in educational research and reform while providing the highest quality of instruction and experiences for its students.”

Wicker received a doctorate in educational leadership/administration from Florida State University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida and a bachelor’s in elementary education from Troy State University.

“I can’t think of anything more exciting than being a positive influence on the growth, development and success of an individual or organization,” Wicker said. “Being an educator appeals to me because my greatest joy in life is in facilitating learning and personal growth in others.”

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