David Magill has been named Director of the Laboratory Schools. Magill recently retired from the Lower Merion School District in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, where he had been superintendent since 1991. He has also worked as a teacher and administrator in other schools in Pennsylvania. Magill received a B.S. from Ohio State University in 1970, and both an Ed.M. and an Ed.D. from Temple University in 1973 and 1982, respectively. In this dialogue, he reflects on his career in education and his decision to come to Lab.
What got you interested in a career in education?
At the age of 15, I became a counselor at a camp for children with special needs. It was where I spent the next thirteen summers. As I entered college, I knew that I would have a career with children but I thought that it would be as a physician. Organic chemistry and a short stint as a hospital orderly made me reconsider. The teaching profession was where I turned, and I have never regretted the decision.
What made you turn to administration and how did you find that satisfying
It wasn't a conscious decision and certainly wasn't on my mind when I began teaching. I have always had leadership qualities and I had mentors who encouraged me to pursue administrative certifications during my graduate school studies. I became a principal at the age of 27 and was named a superintendent at 34. I do much better when I can see the whole picture and believe that I do my best work when I can encourage others and facilitate processes to accomplish an organization's goals.
Please describe the community where you were superintendent. How is it similar to the Lab community and how is it different?
For the past eleven years, I served as the superintendent of schools in the Lower Merion School District. Lower Merion is a suburb of Philadelphia and is a rich educational environment that is home to four colleges and universities and some of the finest independent schools in the nation. The public schools are also high achieving and Lower Merion High School was recently distinguished as one of the ten highest achieving public high schools in America.
There are many similarities between my most recent experience and what I suspect exists at Lab. Mostly, I appreciate the support given to schools by parents and children who come to the school ready to learn. Public schools’ greatest differences are their mission and obligation to educate every child and their system of governance, including public elections every two years.
Please tell us about your family.
I don't think you have enough space to let me to tell you how proud I am of my family. So the short version is that I am happily married, have three grown daughters, and one grandchild. My wife, Judy, is self-employed as an interior designer and is also certified as an elementary teacher. Our oldest daughter, Lori, is a critical care nurse who worked at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia for eight years before her marriage this summer. She and her husband, Mark, have just moved to Omaha. Our middle daughter, Kristin, is a member of the Alumni Relations Office with Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado. She and her husband, Craig, had their first daughter on September 1, 2002. Our youngest daughter, Jennifer, graduated from the University of New Hampshire in May and she is now living in Denver as well. Moving to Chicago makes sense to us since we will be significantly closer to where they reside.
How did you find out about the Lab Schools? What attracted you to Lab?
I was contacted by a search consultant who was working for the Lab Schools Board. He had heard of me through other independent school heads who knew that I was considering a career shift and was interested in finding a place that has a proud tradition and embraces leadership. My attraction to Lab was immediate because of its history, its ties with the University of Chicago, and the wonderful people of diverse backgrounds associated with the schools. There's so much about the city of Chicago that excites me as well. I'm reading as much as I can to learn its history and practicing speaking without too much of a Philadelphia accent.
What were your impressions of Hyde Park?
I have always found colleges and universities exciting places to be. Hyde Park is no exception. The beauty of the campus and surrounding area is a real asset to prospective students and faculty. I am impressed with the commitment that the University continues to make toward improving the neighborhood.
What were your impressions of the University?
My impressions haven't been completely formed yet, but to date, they are extremely positive. All whom I have met have been very friendly, willing to assist with my transition, and very supportive of the role that Lab has played for so many years. I am most eager to acclimate to the University environment and help establish new connections with the resources in this place.
During your visits to Lab, what were your impressions of parents, students, and teachers?
Again, I have just touched the surface with all three of these important parts of the Lab Schools. I can tell you that I would expect parents to be supportive of their children's education and willing to become involved in the life of the school. Those parents whom I have met already most certainly fit that description. The faculty seems very receptive to the idea that we must constantly look for ways to improve and to do so requires introspection and adjustment. I look forward to beginning that process. The students who were part of the interview process and the few students I have met through the Midway have been terrific. They are mature, thoughtful, and, for the most part, extremely focused. I am very excited about getting to know them well.
Based on your initial visits, do you have any plans for what you'd like Lab to be--either an innovation you'd like to adopt or a feature you're eager to maintain?
It would be very presumptuous of me to come to Lab on a white horse and try to be a change agent. That is not part of my agenda. Having said that, I don't intend to be a wallflower either. My motives have always been to seek continuous improvement, find ways that our graduates can be provided with a competitive edge, and to measure our successes in more ways than simply academic achievement. I think that those motives are consistent with what has been happening at Lab for over a hundred years. My satisfaction will come as others are able to take this school to even greater heights.