Administration

Principal: Sharon Neuman

In 1994, Mrs. Neuman became the principal of L.C.M.A. (known then as Lakeland Middle Academy). Mrs. Neuman was able to help in the planning and development of L.C.M.A.'s new school site at 400 North Florida Avenue, guiding the move to the new historical building during the summer of 1995.

Mrs. Neuman has previously taught at Eagle Lake Elementary, Bowling Green Elementary, Lake Alfred Elementary, and at Southwest Elementary. She has also served as a summer institute instructor held at Polk Community College.

Mrs. Neuman holds a B.A. degree from Southeastern University and a M.Ed. from Rollins College. She has presented at the Florida Association of School Administrators state conference, at Southern Association of Colleges and Schools summer conferences, at the National Association of Elementary School Principals national conference, and at the National Association of Secondary School Principals national conference. She has also written articles for several different publications including Choice newsletter (Magnet Schools of American publication), Sunshine Classroom magazine, and Principal magazine.

During the summer of 1999, Commissioner Tom Gallagher presented the Commissioner's Outstanding Principal state award to Mrs. Neuman. She has also received the Star Principal award from the Polk County Media Specialists group.

Under her leadership, L.C.M.A. has achieved many awards including scoring a Grade of A over many years, the Golden School Award, 5 Star Award, Magnet Schools of America Merit Award, The Little Red Schoolhouse Award, and the Red Carpet state award.  

L.C.M.A. has also been highlighted in the Electronic Learning magazine and was the first middle school in Polk County to go through the S.A.C.S. accreditation process, using the School Improvement process. L.C.M.A. has been named “One of Six Highly Successful Middle Schools” in the nation by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (N.A.S.S.P.). The book, written by the N.A.S.S.P. was showcased at their national conference in February 2004.

Mr. SearsAssistant Principal: Michael Sears

Mr. Michael A. Sears, the Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Administration, came to Lawton Chiles Middle Academy during the summer of 2007.

He has been employed by the School Board for eight years. Prior to joining Lawton Chiles Middle Academy staff, Mr. Sears taught English II, English III and English IV at Lakeland Senior High School.

Mr. Sears assisted with the planning and development of the English Curriculum for the Polk County Collegiate High School Honors English III and IV curriculum. Mr. Sears taught both subjects at Polk County Collegiate High School Lakeland Campus.

Mr. Sears served as a Dean of Students at George Jenkins Senior High School prior to coming to Lawton Chiles Middle Academy. Mr. Sears believes that every student can learn when challenged with high expectations and appropriate modeling by the educational staff.