New Jersey Department of Education

Laurence Fieber
Principal
Parkway Elementary School, 446 Parkway Avenue, Ewing Township, NJ 08618
Category: Elementary Principal - Central Region

Laurence Fieber served for more than 20 years as a high school teacher and assistant principal before being selected in 1994 as the principal of Parkway Elementary School in Ewing Township.

That principalship was not an easy job for him - or for anyone else - to step into. Parkway School at that time was, as Mr. Fieber notes, "marked by low academic expectations, teacher discouragement, and parental dissatisfaction." But now, after six years under Mr. Fieber’s leadership, the picture is dramatically different. Parkway is no longer a school plagued by behavioral problems. It has, in fact, become a school of choice for parents/guardians to send their children.

The renaissance experienced at the school during those six years has been remarkable. As Ewing Mayor Al Bridges noted "When Larry was selected as the new principal ... few would have predicted the success he would enjoy. Test score[s] ... had deteriorated, academic expectations by the community and regrettably some of the teachers were low. Larry challenged the teachers, the students, and parents with his plans to improve the school."

Mr. Fieber has demonstrated unique abilities to recruit parents and community members to help him pursue educational goals. "Parkway School’s mission reflects the collaborative beliefs shared by the principal, teachers, and families. We believe that education is fostered by partnerships which use teamwork to accomplish goals."

As Ewing School Superintendent Wade said, "Mr. Fieber’s ability to instill pride in the school and in each student for their accomplishments is the most important thing he has done for Parkway School. He is a unique person, with a skill to motivate that is not found in many principals."

Now, parents and community members are closely involved with the school. Parkway has an ongoing partnership with Mercer County Junior Achievement. Local business leaders present lessons and engage children in activities related to free enterprise. The Parkway School PTA sponsors over 15 committees. The school is "user friendly" for families, providing child care services and facilitating flexible meeting times. There is now also a Dad’s club to help involve fathers.

"When you enter the school," said Mayor Bridges, "you get an immediate feeling of the educational environment. You can tell which schools are working and which ones are not. Parkway, under the leadership of Mr. Fieber, is one that is working."

The College of New Jersey now recognizes Parkway as a laboratory school.