Linda Williams-Tuenge

Principal: Linda Williams-Tuenge1400 93rd Ave N.Brooklyn Park, MN 55444-1195763-425-1793

When Linda Williams-Tuenge, principal of Riverview Specialty School, found out she had won the 2005 Science and Mathematics Elementary School Principal of the Year Award, she had no idea the honor existed, let alone that she was up for it.

"I found out that my staff had nominated me the same day they told me I had won," Williams-Tuenge said."Needless to say, I was very flattered."

The award is designed to honor principals who develop a culture that encourages math and science literacy.It is presented by the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association.

Williams-Tuenge, in her seventh year as principal, was given a plaque and a year-long Science Museum membership for her and her family.The school was rewarded with education programming form the Science Museum.

But the recognition came as a surprise.

"My role is more of a facilitator," Williams-Tuenge said."I stay out of the way and let my teachers and staff do what they do."

Riverview, located in Brooklyn Park, converted to a magnet school three years ago.It is in its second year of a math and environmental science focus.

"When Oxbow Elementary School opened, we were going to lose about 300 of our 525 kids," said Williams-Tuenge."It has taken a huge commitment from our staff, students and our parents, but it is going really well.

"When we first made the switch to a magnet school, we were hoping to be at full capacity in five years.We were able to hit that number by our second year."

Williams-Tuenge said she had to replace close to two-thirds of her staff when Riverview went to a magnet format.She said the transition was made easier by two curriculum integrators who were brought in to help design an education plan that would be consistent with Anoka-Hennepin School District standards, and put an emphasis on math and science.

"We focus on a hands-on approach to learning," Williams-Tuenge said.

The school has a greenhouse and a weather station on site.The students participate in class projects like hatching 350 Monarch butterflies and charting their migration path to Mexico.Students also grow bulbs in the school's green house, selling them at a school fair and donating the money to a local food shelf.

"Some of the kids we have are very passionate about math and science when they get to us, but most of them are encouraged by their parents," Williams-Tuenge said.

The opportunity to excite girls about careers in math and science is one of Riverview's best assets, Williams-Tuenge said.

"I'm not much of a math and science person, because when I was growing up, those areas were considered more for boys," she said.