Principal's Message
August 2024
Dear Hawk Families,
It is with much joy and excitement, that I introduce myself as the new principal of Lakeland Middle School. My name is Matt Ziegenfuss and I am honored to join the Hawk community. As we embark on this new academic year, I am filled with excitement and optimism for the opportunities that lie ahead. Being accountable for the safety and success of LMS is something I take great pride in. I am committed to being a visible and accessible leader, and I am dedicated to supporting all families and students. My door is always open and I encourage you to reach out to me at any time with questions, concerns, or ideas. Building strong relationships with students and families is a top priority for me, and I believe that open communication is key to our collective success.
Growing up in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, I was the son of a mother who taught 33 years in public schools. My mom would often bring my sister and me to her school in the summer to help her prepare her classroom and we thought that was the coolest thing. As we grew, my mom would often impart her love for teaching to us and that inspired me to follow in her footsteps. This school year will be my 22nd year in education. Prior to arriving at LMS, I served as a Principal or Assistant Principal in several school districts in WA and PA. I also taught high school social studies classes and coached baseball, basketball, and football. In my 22 years of education, I have been an Irishman, a Zephyr, a Bobcat, a Husky, a Panther, a Cougar and now a Hawk! I hope to be a Hawk for a long time!
Being a husband and father are my two greatest joys. My wife and I have 3 children (Owen is 12, Carter is 9, and Lily is 7). Family is everything for me and I look forward to building relationships with your family throughout my tenure. In my free time, I coach my kids in sports, exercise regularly, read, and enjoy time with friends and family.
As we embark on this wonderful journey together, it is important for you to have some insight into my vision and dreams for Lakeland Middle School. I want LMS to be an outstanding school and there are four criteria that must be in place for this to happen:
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Students who feel safe and are engaged in their own learning.
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Parents who are positively involved and support their child’s education.
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A staff who are passionate about supporting every student, every day.
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Parents, students, and staff working in partnership to keep LMS great.
If we are constantly working toward meeting the above stated criteria, then we will be successful. Thank you for your support and dedication to Lakeland Middle School.
Go Hawks!
In partnership,
Matt Ziegenfuss—Principal LMS
