June 12, 2014

LAWT News Service

 

The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously on June 10, to name South Region Elementary School #10 after the late, distinguished School Board Member Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte.

 

The Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte Elementary School, located in Los Angeles at 4410 Orchard Ave., will be opened for students in fall of 2012.

 

“Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte was a dear friend and cherished colleague,” LAUSD Board President Dr. Richard Vladovic said.  “She was passionate about supporting the South Los Angeles community and the entire District.  Over Ms. LaMotte’s lifetime, she accomplished many things, including establishing and nurturing life-long relationships that will succeed her.  By naming this school after Ms. LaMotte, we are honored to preserve her amazing legacy for future generations for years and years to come.”

 

LaMotte was born in Louisiana, the youngest of seven children. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Southern Uni­versity in 1961, graduating summa cum laude. She later earned a master’s in Education in 1965 from Louisiana State University, where she was also the first African American woman to serve as a visiting professor in the undergraduate school of education. In 1973, she continued her career in education in Los Angeles.

 

Assigned first to Drew Junior High School as a teacher, she continued to receive promotions, serving L.A. Unified as a counselor, assistant principal, principal, and regional administrator. Though her career was on a fast track, she yearned to return to the front lines, where she could directly impact students.

 

She was appointed principal of Washington Preparatory High School in 1991. Under her leadership, the school received an outstanding accreditation review by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges for the maximum six-year period.

 

She retired as an administrator in 2002. Still wanting to impact students, her “babies” as she called them, she ran for the Board of Education, District 1, in 2003 and was re-elected in 2007 and 2011. She spent her last days working for the children at an educational conference in San Diego.

 

The Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte Elementary School includes classrooms, a library, multi-purpose room, food service area, lunch shelter, administrative offices, playfields and surface parking. Community members can use the facilities at the new, state-of-the art school both during and afterschool hours.

 

The school is part of LAUSD’s $19.5 billion New School Con­struction and Modernization Pro­gram. This allows students to attend a safe and healthy neighborhood school that operates on a traditional, two-semester calendar. For more informa­tion, please visit www.laschools.org.

Category: Education