By Steve Bradley

W-FL BOCES

When Molly Lahr began her administrative internship three years ago, it did not take her long to realize that LaFayette Intermediate School was a special place.

So special, she thought that if the day ever arrived when she became a building principal, she hoped that it would be at LaFayette.

Well, that day is drawing near. Lahr, a 2010 Waterloo graduate who has worked in the District since 2015, will become principal at LaFayette on Oct. 16. Her appointment was approved by the Board of Education at its regular meeting on Sept. 18.

“I am so excited,” said Lahr, who has served as the District’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Coordinator for the past two years.  “I think that there is a fantastic staff here and that the kids are at a really important age where they are navigating how to be a positive friend, shifting into becoming readers and are just excited to be learners.

“I love talking with the students and I have a lot of connections with families here and I am so excited to build upon those relationships and make school joyful at a place where everyone is accepted and included.”

Lahr succeeds Shaun Merrill, who became the District’s School Business Administrator on Sept. 18.

“I want to thank Shaun for being a great collaborator over these last few years,” Lahr said.

Lahr, who earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Syracuse University, was hired as a reading teacher at Waterloo Middle School in 2015.

Lahr quickly caught the attention of Superintendent of Schools Terri Bavis in 2016 as the leader of the RESPECT team organized a “Day Without Hate” at the Middle School.

“I was thoroughly impressed with her natural, organic leadership abilities and her love of kids,” Bavis said.

Lahr’s desire to become an educational leader was sparked after she attended the regional leadership institute and she earned her Certificate in Advanced Studies in Building and District Leadership from the University of Rochester in 2021.

Lahr said the MTSS role has been valuable in helping her understand and align the academic side of education with social-emotional learning and she is eager to bring all of the pieces together in the community where she grew up and lives.

“This is my home,” Lahr said. “Waterloo is my home and I feel connected to the community at large and I know that we can work together and make things better. I want school to be a joyful place where everyone is accepted and included.”  

Bavis is confident that Lahr will excel in her new role.

 “She just cares so deeply about people and humanity, that is always her first priority and, to me, that’s what the job is,” Bavis said. “You are there to support other people and that is Molly in a nutshell. She is such a positive force and she’s such a good person and that is why she’ll do a great job.”