"Important as academic success may be, it must be evaluated in light of the whole child and his or her social, physical and learning needs," says Fred Merten, principal of Irving Elementary School in Eugene. With Mr. Merten's guidance, the PTO at Irving Elementary School has founded a parent library and Irving Cares, a program that provides a "no questions asked food bank" and a fund to support families in need. Mr. Merten is currently involved in an intensive effort to develop and implement a technology-integrated curriculum; the comprehensive staff-training he implemented is supplemented by additional monthly inservices. As a former president of the Oregon Principals Association, Mr. Merten has worked at both the state and national level for needed funding and for age-appropriate assessment. In 1991, the National Association of Elementary School Principals honored Mr. Merten as a National Distinguished Principal.
1966 University of Oregon, B.A.
