David Magill, the newly named Director of the Laboratory Schools, spent a busy two days on campus in December, meeting with parents, teachers, and students as he learned more about the Schools in preparation for his new position, which will begin this summer.
"I was very impressed by everyone I met," said Magill. "I particularly enjoyed the students because of their intelligence and insights. They are the kind of young people with whom I enjoy working."
He said he also was excited about the prospect of becoming part of the University community. "The University of Chicago is one of the world's great universities, and the connection between the schools and the University was one of the things that drew me here," he explained.
President Don Michael Randel appointed Magill upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the Laboratory Schools, which conducted an extensive nationwide search for the new head.
"We believe David Magill has demonstrated strong leadership and management skills, decisiveness, and a strong commitment to diversity and excellence in education," said Susan Sher, Chairman of the Laboratory Schools Board.
Magill said his experience as an administrator in suburban Philadelphia has prepared him well for his work at Lab. Magill recently retired from the Lower Merion School District in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, where he had been superintendent since 1991. The highly respected K-12 school district has 6,600 students, and Magill';s innovations included foreign language study beginning at second grade and an International Baccalaureate Program for high school students.
The district includes concerned communities with families sharing the high expectations of their children that he found among parents at Lab, he said.
Magill has taught and administered in systems where there is both racial and ethnic diversity. He previously served as administrator in a number of Pennsylvania school districts and began his career as an elementary and special education teacher in the Philadelphia public schools. His experience in special education has helped him to understand differences in student learning learning styles and to appreciate the contributions of scholars such as Mel Levine, who has been influential nationally in helping educators and parents understand the different ways in which students learn. Levine has visited Lab and his research has been an important resource for the faculty.
Magill received a B.S. from Ohio State University in 1970, an Ed.M. in 1973 and an Ed.D. in 1982, both from Temple University.
Magill succeeds Beverly Biggs, Principal of the Lower School, who is serving as Interim Director for the current school year.