On September 20, Karl Wendt joined LEAD Public Schools as the new Principal at Brick Church Middle School.
Prior to joining LEAD, Wendt worked as a consultant for education technology startups and served as founding principal at a charter school in downtown Los Angeles.
Wendt grew up in Nashville and has a background in both STEM and Education. He earned his bachelors in industrial design at Auburn, his Masters in Education at Vanderbilt and his Ed. L.D. from Harvard. He holds nine patents for designs he developed while working at Maytag before he joined High Tech High Media Arts as an instructor of applied physics.
“Karl brings a wealth of leadership experiences with him to the team at LEAD Brick Church,” said Chris Elliott, LEAD’s Head of Academics and Innovation and Interim Principal of LEAD Brick Church. “As a teacher, a Kipp principal fellow and successful turnaround principal in Los Angeles, Karl knows and understands what it takes to build a school that is capable of ensuring student success.”
Wendt is honored to join Brick Church. “I believe in our North Nashville community and I am deeply committed to LEAD’s mission to prepare all students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in college and in life,” he said. “I will never forget my 8th grade English teacher, Mrs. Bowman, who would not accept less than an A. Initially, I struggled in her class. She set a high standard, actively engaged the students, and provided great support. I ended up earning an A and learning to believe that I could succeed at school and beyond. I am looking forward to sharing my can-do spirit with LEAD and to getting to know you. I have no doubt that together we will create exceptional learning experiences that unite our community and encourage our students to achieve.”
Wendt and his wife, Ashley, are settling in to a home in North Nashville. Outside of work, he enjoys gardening, hiking/climbing in the mountains, and going on walks around the neighborhood with his wife and Scout, their energetic and inquisitive cat.
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