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She’s been slimed with green goo, dressed as a banana and delivered pizza to a pupil’s home.
It's not very often that you see a school principal kissing a pig, or getting slimed with goo or dressing like a banana. But, then again, it's not very often that you come across an educator like JoAnn Laskin, Principal at Sagemont's elementary school campus.
Over the past 30 years, Mrs. Laskin has initiated an elementary school gifted program, worked with inner city children, taught emotionally handicapped students and was a dedicated camp director. Since 1996, Laskin has held the position of Principal at The Sagemont School located in Weston, Florida. She began working there only a few months after the private college prep elementary school opened 13 years ago. "I am very proud of what we have done in such a short time. We have grown the school from 23 students to over 800 students on two campuses. It makes me very proud to know that I have helped children develop the skills they need to be successful in high school, college and later in life."
Principal Laskin enjoys adding the unexpected to school programs and celebrations. From kissing a pig, to delivering pizza to a student's home, to getting slimed with green goo, Laskin knows how to have fun with her students. "Children love to see the adults that they know and respect enjoy having fun with them. I have found that challenging students to stretch to reach their potential can be achieved by devising incentives that motivate them to go above and beyond. There is hardly anything I wouldn't do to inspire my elementary school students to do their best." Sagemont 5th grade student Allison Hewitt recalls, "I remember when Mrs. Laskin had a canoe race against the school's top ranking Accelerated Readers. It was fun to see her compete against the students." Maya Fruitman, a Sagemont 4th grader adds, “Mrs. Laskin looked so funny the year she dressed up as a banana and served banana splits to everyone when we topped our Accelerated Reading goal. It was great!”
Dr. Brent Goldman, President of The Sagemont School, knows the value of having an experienced educator such as Mrs. Laskin as an employee. "We knew when we hired JoAnn that she possessed the exact skills needed to build Sagemont into a great private school. JoAnn is a one of the most accomplished educators in South Florida. As a result of her talent, Sagemont has become one of the leading private schools in South Florida."
At some point in the future, Mrs. Laskin would like to teach at the college level helping to prepare young adults for a career in teaching. She calls teaching the most rewarding career in the world. But for now, she is thrilled to be the Principal at The Sagemont School. "I am an out of the box thinker. At Sagemont, my creative ideas and suggestions are always welcomed. The school's innovative spirit has helped me to grow as an educator and leader which in turn has helped us become one of the best schools in the country."
The Sagemont School (sagemont.com) offers a college prep curriculum and operates two campuses in Weston, Fl. In preschool and elementary school, The Sagemont School offers core concepts in a creative environment combined with weekly specials that include science, art, music, both beginning Spanish and Spanish for native speakers, swimming, PE and media and technology. From middle school through high school, Sagemont students choose from a variety of regular, honors and AP course work. In addition, students share in a networked wireless laptop environment and participate in a comprehensive guidance program for college entrance. Sagemont graduates are sought out by top tier colleges & universities and are the recipients of valuable academic scholarships.
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mackermann[.]sagemont.com 
