A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

    FOR RELEASE                                          Contact:  Jim Bradshaw     July 23, 1996                                                  (202) 401-1576

Linda Quinn Named Department's New Principal in Residence

Linda B. Quinn, principal of Puyallup High School in Puyallup, Wash., near Tacoma has been named by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley as the department's "principal in residence."

In her new role, she will advise department officials on policies and strategies from the viewpoint of principals and serve as a contact for principals across the country. She will also study educational technology issues.

"Linda comes to us highly recommended, with a keen sense about what works in education," Riley said. "Her experience on the front lines will be valuable as we work to encourage scholastic excellence."

Quinn has served as Puyallup High principal since 1989. The school has about 1,700 students in grades 10 to 12 with a staff of 125.

The curriculum includes advanced placement and honors classes, a range of special education services, fine arts programs and almost two dozen vocational courses.

In the past few years, Quinn has faced the challenge of running her school in a conglomeration of makeshift classrooms, temporary structures and even spaces in churches as her 70 year old main school building underwent a $15 million renovation.

Before becoming a high school principal, she was principal of Aylen Junior High in the Puyallup School District from 1982 to 1989, overseeing more than 650 students in grades 7 to 9.

She has also been a high school English and humanities teacher in Puyallup and coordinator of the district's secondary level gifted programs.

Quinn holds a master of education degree from Western Washington University and a bachelor of arts degree from Washington State University, where she graduated summa cum laude.

"The hands on experience of outstanding principals like Linda B. Quinn will enable the department to continue to develop policies that are effective in the classroom and result in higher education achievement for America's students," said Deputy Education Secretary Madeleine Kunin.

She will begin her work at the department in August and will serve for a year.

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