Molly Shore
NORTHWEST DISTRICT -- Laura Ann Burcham Flosi spent her first
three days as the new principal of Edison Elementary School following
around retiring principal Donna Coffey took Flosi under her wing.
She followed Coffey around the campus, learning names and
schedules.
On the fourth day, Flosi flew solo.
"I was definitely nervous," she said. "I got here early to see
teachers and parents. You hope the day will be perfect. You want it
to be."
Flosi, who came from the Pasadena Unified School District where
she was principal at Hamilton Elementary School, said she is
impressed with Edison's well-maintained campus, as well as the
extraordinary support given to the school by parents. She started the
job Oct. 9.
The former Burbank High School graduate said she feels lucky to be
involved in this school district. Flosi, her husband and their two
young children live here, and are active in the community, she said.
Under her leadership, the new principal said she wants Edison to be a
safe, nurturing school -- a learning facility where students and
teachers are challenged.
"If you teach to high standards, the students will do well," she
said, adding that it is important to measure growth within each
child, as well as within each classroom.
Andrea Canady, the district's director of elementary education,
said in her meetings with Flosi, she found the new principal to be
focused on instruction.
"She is not just a manager," said Canady. "She will be an
instructional leader for us."
Flosi, who taught for six years before becoming a school
administrator in 1999, said she still misses teaching.
With an extensive personal collection of children's books, Flosi
said she would like to be a guest reader in the classrooms.
"I hope that all the kids I've been around will have that love of
reading," she said.
School Board President Richard Raad said he and the board members
chose Flosi because of her prior experience as a principal, and
because she is a Burbank resident and a product of Burbank schools.
"We were impressed by her experience," he said.
