Indianagram_May2024

Reflection, Growth, & Celebration

This marks the completion of my sixteenth year as a junior high school principal, and twenty-three years total in school administration. It is hard to believe that I have been teaching and leading for thirty-one years. It seems like just yesterday I started teaching at Ben Davis High School, believing that I was going to change the world – one student at a time. And years later, I still have that passion burning in my belly for wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of others. When I reflect over my career, I know that this is what I was called to do.

This year has been amazing as I had the privilege of serving as the president of IASP. I cannot give enough accolades to the Executive Board members – Matt Shockley, Holly Arnold, Jenny Matasosky, Dan Peo, Steve “my bestie” Baker, Dave Strouse, and Amy Niemeier and former Executive Committee members Aimee Lunsford and Eric Gilpin. When you spend as much time together as we do, it becomes your family. I have learned so much from each of them, and I am thankful for their friendship. I know if I ever have a problem and need someone to lean on, I can call any one of them to listen. Thank you to our board members. You have no idea how nervous I was during our first meeting at Salt Creek last summer. Even when I made mistakes, you showed me grace, and I genuinely appreciate your kindness.

There are many responsibilities to being the president of IASP. Todd Bess, Tim McRoberts, and Tiffany Barrett (three of the finest people you could ever know) pushed me out of my comfort zone time and time again. From being a conference facilitator and presenter, to attending district meetings, to presenting to INALI, Aspiring Principals, Emerging Leaders, and the Warren Township and South Bend LEAD programs, to participating on the Secretary Advisory’s Council and meeting with Dr. Jenner, to advocating at both the local and national levels, I have been extremely blessed with these incredible opportunities. From writing for the Indianagram to the Principal Leadership Magazine to Education Week, I have been living my dream of sharing my voice about school leadership.

I remember being told that being a principal is lonely. It doesn’t have to be. I have met dedicated school leaders from across the state and country who are committed to serving students in the best way possible. I challenge you to stay involved and keep your membership current with IASP and consider joining the National Association of Elementary School Principals or the National Association of Secondary School Principals and elevate the voices of Indiana school leaders. Stay connected with like-minded, visionary school principals. Our job is not easy, but it is always better when we work together.

I know that I am a better leader today than I was sixteen years ago. My journey has been incredible. I have been able to mentor aspiring principals and see them become school leaders, which brings me immense joy. Growth and reflection are important aspects to being an effective leader. My time of being a principal has transitioned to a time of supporting principals. Next year, I will be the Director of Teaching and Learning 6-8 at MSD Washington Township. It is bittersweet. I am going to miss the day-to-day chaos of sitting in the big chair, but I love the idea of supporting school leaders in a different capacity. Like IASP says, “WE GROW LEADERS!” Thank you, IASP for growing my leadership and allowing me to give back to the profession!

Dr. Crystal Murff Thorpe IASP President

I love the theme of this month’s Indianagram! This may be a crazy thought as May literally has no time for reflection, given the volume of award nights, end of year concerts, athletic contests, and the fact that you are closing one year while preparing for the next! And, this is why the theme is appropriate, for without being intentional, reflecting on what has occurred is the first item to go on the to do list. The School Leader Paradigm emphasizes reflection in three ways, each providing unique opportunities to grow your leadership qualities, and to ensure your school is growing to provide the best possible learning experience for your students.

Reflection is first an attribute under the Growth Mindset component, and reads, “thinks critically about personal behaviors, attitudes, beliefs and values.” I’d emphasize, though, that you should allow the critical nature to only comprise 10% of the reflection, and then the other 90% is focused on what to do next. We as school leaders can get caught up in thinking about all that didn’t go well on a day or week, and only allowing these thoughts to percolate doesn’t provide the growth mindset we need.

When we shift to the school itself, the Learning Domain begins with the dimension of Reflection and Growth. Pairing these two emphasizes that personal growth mindset we saw on the individual side of the Paradigm, and this is then broken further down to

■ Creating a Culture of Self-Assessment

■ Growing Through Self-Refelction

When we look at each of these and the expected behaviors/outcomes of the school, we have a road map that allows individuals and school departments to examine practices and structures that facilitate student growth.

This road map is built into the Cycle of Inquiry that frames the entire School Leader Paradigm. This cycle allows, again, for intentional actions to think critically of our school and personal behaviors. The steps of Plan, Implement, Assess and Reflect bring forth conversations and information to make our decisions based on outcomes we desire. Reflecting on the implementation and data pushes us to be in the Growth Mindset, yet also isn’t just an outgrowth of “What if …” thinking.

Lastly, the crosswalk of the Learning Domain with Personal Intelligence tells us that Reflection and Growth is the key dimension for all components of our personal attributes. Simply, without reflection and growth, we only do the work, we don’t develop into the leader that our schools and students demand of us.

So, take time to enjoy this issue, and make time to reflect on all the good that has occurred this school year. Be sure to give time for yourself and the school, give grace where needed for both, and celebrate the growth!

Dr. Todd D. Bess

IASP Executive Director

Future Indianagram themes

June: The BEST of 2023-2024

Share your thoughts on the Indianagram: https://forms.gle/sCmLHwnh4aYcTJdr8

IASP Executive Committee

Dr. Crystal Murff Thorpe President

Dr. Holly Arnold President-Elect

Jennifer Matasovsky Vice President

Matt Shockley Past President

Amy Niemeier

NAESP State Representative

Dave Strouse

NASSP State Coordinator

Steve Baker Liaison to the DOE

Dr. Daniel Peo

Assistant Principal Liaison

UPCOMING EVENTS

IASP hosts events throughout the year to support the growth and development of Indiana school administrators and students. Each event is intentionally designed to encourage and engage all participants in the pursuit of learning!

Find A Full List Of Events at www.iasp.org/Events

Renewal Grants for Indiana K-12 Educators

The Lilly Endowment is accepting applications for its Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program. This program supports educators throughout Indiana by providing resources for them to take time for meaningful renewal. The Endowment believes that through new experiences, exploration, and reflection educators can generate renewed energy in their careers, innovative approaches to teaching and educational leadership, and thoughtful ways to encourage students’ creative thinking. The Endowment expects to award approximately 125 grants, each totaling up to $15,000, in 2025. The application deadline is 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, September 9. Four information sessions will be held in 2024 on May 16, May 30, August 8 and August 13.

To learn more or register for one of these sessions, visit the Lilly Endowment website. Contact Lilly Endowment staff at teachercreativity@lei.org with any questions.

Celebrating the Work in Indiana Schools to Rethink High School

Dr. Katie Jenner Indiana Secretary of Education

This month, we kicked off a listening tour as we continue to gather feedback on the future of Indiana’s diplomas. This is an opportunity to learn more about the good work already happening in schools and communities across Indiana to increase access to meaningful work-based learning opportunities and credentials of value that increase a student’s educational attainment. It also allows us to hear directly from key stakeholder groups on how we can maximize the four years of high school and what barriers need to be removed in order to increase flexibility for students’ success.

If you were to walk into a coffee shop, grocery store, or any other public space in America today, nearly everyone you’d meet, regardless of their age, took almost the exact same courses in high school.

While the American high school experience has remained the same, technology and the world around us are advancing rapidly, and as this happens, the knowledge and skills that our students need in order to thrive are evolving as well.

In K-12 education, we have an incredible opportunity to help every student find their purpose and understand the possibilities for their life’s path. The impact that many of you are already creating locally has been the inspiration behind the current statewide diploma redesign process, and this is the work (your work!) that I would like to celebrate today! Check out some of the examples I recently highlighted in our weekly update below.

Duneland School Corporation (Porter County)

Chesterton High School has a goal that 50% or more of their seniors will participate in a career-related experience each year. To help reach this goal, the school has secured over 200 business partnerships, which provide students with opportunities to learn through internships, work study, Career and Technical Education, as well as Cadet teaching.

Beginning with five participating students, just four years later, the program now has over 180 participants with available internships in areas ranging from agriculture and environmental science, to business, finance, and marketing, to childcare and education, and just about everything in between.

In 2022, senior Ella Girzadas expressed an interest in pursuing a career in sustainable fashion and was placed in an internship with a local apparel and gift brand. During her internship, she was able to learn about entrepreneurship, including creating her own line of loungewear and advising on everything from design to pricing structure. Ella is currently studying environmental science and business at Villanova University.

This is a great example of what is possible when we are willing to try something new if it means improving outcomes for students. Their willingness to be bold has continued to pay off, with more businesses signing on and more students benefiting from these partnerships.

Washington Community Schools (Daviess County)

In December, Washington High School partnered with Reliable MicroSystems to launch a first-of-its-kind Microelectronics High School Student Internship, and earlier this year, senior Xavier Frank became the first student in the region (with more to come!) to serve as a staff engineer intern with Reliable MicroSystems.

This opportunity to learn in a handson environment, centered in Indiana’s emerging semiconductor industry, is the result of collaboration between local, regional, and state entities. It is also funded in part through a partnership with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Institute for Workforce Excellence. Additional support comes from the SCALE K-12 project, which works to integrate new ideas and technologies into curriculum that will help students gain a better awareness of microelectronics in the world around them.

This future-focused example is particularly relevant because it supports our students in being prepared for the state’s emerging semiconductor industry and illuminates the innovative, high-tech opportunities that exist for students right here in Indiana.

Randolph Eastern School Corporation (Randolph County)

The team at Randolph Eastern School Corporation has been hard at work transforming the high school experience to be more engaging, relevant, and student-centered. The push to bring work-based and projectbased learning to life has allowed Union City Junior-Senior High School students to step into real-world scenarios, collaborate with local

businesses and professionals to engage in projects that align with curriculum and coursework, and also instill essential skills regardless of their path ahead.

The learning framework at Union City Junior-Senior High School allows 100% of their high school students to participate in Workforce Wednesdays, an initiative dedicating one day each week to career exploration and skill development. Workforce Wednesdays connect students and staff with industry experts and community leaders to enrich students’ understanding and curiosity about the career pathways that exist in and around their local community.

This student-centered example represents a rural Indiana school

corporation that is removing barriers and doing BIG things for kids!

Thank you to the schools highlighted above, and so many others for engaging in this work! Between now and the fall, we will continue to learn from and work with you to refine the new diploma rule and ensure it is the best it can be before the final rule is adopted. As a reminder, we are required by law to adopt the new diploma requirements by December 2024.

If you have not already done so, I encourage you and others in your community to utilize this Jotform to provide feedback to continue strengthening and improving the current proposal. So far, we have had over 3,000 comments submitted, and I

hope you’ll keep them coming!

Let’s continue working together to ensure the high school experience is as valuable as possible for students, including ensuring our diploma requirements reflect the opportunity that exists for every Indiana student to graduate prepared to succeed. Have a great summer, and as always, thank you for all that you do for our students!

From the AP Lens: Reflecting on My Time as the Assistant Principal Liason

Dr. Dan Peo Assistant Principal Avon High School

IASP Assistant Principal Liaison

Hello, IASP! I've got some fantastic news to share with you all! In the middle of April, I was appointed as the next Principal of Avon Middle School South! This school is one of the two (soon to be three!) middle schools that feed into Avon High School, where I've been serving as an Assistant Principal up until now. I'm extremely excited about this new chapter, and I can't wait to dive into all the experiences it brings. And hey, who knows? Maybe we'll get to catch up and share stories at a future conference!

But amidst all this excitement, there's a bit of a bittersweet note. I've stepped down from my role as the Assistant Principal Liaison on the Executive Committee of IASP. It’s hard to be an AP Liaison if you’re not an AP anymore! It’s also bittersweet to leave Avon High School where I have served as an AP for the past two years. AHS has truly become like a family to me, so saying goodbye to that amazing school community is tough.

These past three years serving as the AP Liaison have been an absolute joy. I've had the pleasure of diving deep into the world of IASP, representing the voice of Assistant Principals on the Executive Committee, and connecting with so many incredible school leaders. Plus, it's been a blast having Assistant Principals co-author articles for this column, showcasing the fantastic

work they're doing. Huge shoutout to all those amazing coauthors out there – your stories and experiences have been truly inspiring! And let's not forget about the accompanying podcast episodes that we have recorded this year! It's been such a great way to share the experiences of Assistant Principals with a wider audience through the IASP Leadership Podcast. Representing Assistant Principals across Indiana has definitely been a big job! I've tried my best to soak up as much knowledge as possible and to chat with as many APs as I could. From attending district meetings to facilitating conferences and everything in between, it's been such a fulfilling experience. I know the next AP Liaison will bring their own unique flair to the role, and I'm excited to support them however I can.

As we wrap up this school year, I want to invite you all to take a moment and reflect on the incredible journey we've been on. Being an Assistant Principal demands a lot – patience, hard work, dedication, and more – but seeing our students succeed and celebrating their achievements makes it all worth it. So here's to us, and here's to all the amazing things still to come. Cheers!

Dr. Peo can be reached via email at depeo@avon-schools.org

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Reflection and Celebration: 3 Key Questions to Ask Your Teachers

Dr. Laurie Ferry-Sales Ferry Consulting

This school year has seen a swath of professional learning opportunities for teachers across grade levels. Our K-2 teachers have engaged with professional learning connected to the Science of Reading. While all of our teachers are addressing the implementation of the 2023 Indiana Standards and their subsequent shifts in content and pedagogy. As we wrap up the school year we must ask our teachers to reflect on their own professional growth and their successful impact on student learning.

Encouraging Reflection

Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, author and professor, emphasizes the importance of self-reflection as we engage in new learning. In his book "Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World," Grant discusses the value of reflecting on one's experiences, challenges, and successes as a means of fostering creativity and innovation. As we ask our teachers to take the time to truly pause and reflect on their successes and failures we are giving them the opportunity to celebrate new learning while we underscore the importance of a ‘Learner’s Mindset’.

Encouraging Reflection

Invite your teachers to answer the following 3 questions as part of their professional reflection.

■ Based on professional learning you engaged with this year, complete the following sentence: I used to think _________________, and now I think _______________.

■ Identify one way you stretched yourself beyond your comfort zone this year, professionally.

■ List two ways you will celebrate the professional growth you experienced this year.

Question 1 is crucial to help teachers acknowledge the significant shifts they have undergone this year. As educators, we often overlook the changes that we have made in our thinking and practice. Therefore, it is important that our teachers reflect on how their thinking about instruction or content has been altered by their experiences.

Question 2 is designed to push your teachers out of their comfort zone and embrace discomfort in their learning. Growth only happens when we step out of our

comfort zone and navigate the fear zone to enter the learning zone. As leaders, we need to acknowledge what has made us uncomfortable this year and encourage our teachers to accept that change isn't easy.

Question 3 urges teachers to acknowledge and celebrate their progress. Good teachers are constantly seeking ways to enhance their students’ learning, but they often forget to appreciate their own hard work and dedication. By asking teachers to take a moment to reflect and celebrate their journey, we are showing them that we recognize their expertise and bravery.

By inviting reflection and celebration at the close of the school year, you will not only improve the effectiveness of your teachers, but will also foster an enhanced culture of adult learning within your school.

Research Basis

Grant, A. (2017). Originals: How non-conformists move the world. Penguin.

Guskey, T. R. (2002). Professional development and teacher change. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 8(3), 381-391.

Dr. Laurie can be reached at lferry@FerryConsult.com

Online Master’s in Educational Administration with Principal’s License

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A Principal's Homecoming: A Reflective Celebration

Dr. Stacey Y.S. Hunt Principal Marion High School

Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni to celebrate the organization’s existence and traditionally takes place in the fall. Homecoming 2023 for me as the Principal of Marion High School in Marion, Indiana, has an exceptional meaning. Because I have returned home to the city that I grew up in and the high school from where I graduated.

Who would have thought that Stacey Stevenson the little brown girl from Marion, Indiana, would become Dr. Stacey Y.S. Hunt, the first African American female principal in over 156 years of Marion High School? I did. Or, atleast, I knew that it was possible. When I graduated from high school I wanted to be a lawyer. Two months after graduation, I found myself in the teacher’s college at Ball State University. I had changed my mind and I wanted to be a principal, which for me, back then, meant that I had to be a teacher first. Following in the footsteps of my first role model, my mother, who is now a retired teacher. I grew up in a town that has had a horrific history for African Americans. In 1930, two African American men were taken from jail, beaten, tortured, and then lynched.

Fast forward to 2023, oh what a marvelous place and a wonderful experience it has been to be back home doing the work that I was created to do. A reporter for the Chronicle Tribune asked me back in February, why was it important for me and for the people of Marion, Indiana to know that I was the first African American female principal of Marion High School. My honest answer was “because it is important for everyone to see.” I am history in the making. The current mayor of Marion, Indiana is the first African American to be elected the Mayor of Marion, Indiana. I am part of the history of my hometown. I know that there will come a time when there will be another African American female principal of Marion High School. Although I may be the first, I will not be the last.

As my first school year as the principal of Marion High School comes to an end, one question that I often ask myself and reflect upon is: What are you going to do with it? It being the position of high school principal. No matter how many times I ask myself that question, my answer is always the same. I am going to help people, while I edify and promote my community through the platform of education.

I am able to celebrate my actions and my decisions. I have helped the community of Marion High School by observing, listening, being present, and taking action to foster experiences, exploration, and growth for teachers and students. This year I have implemented the first EL learners classroom at Marion High School. I have implemented two career pathways for students, one in business and the other in the performing arts. I will end this school year with all of the teaching positions filled for next school year. I have moved the culture of the building to a more professional climate by working with my peers to develop employability skills for students, offer more advanced placement courses to all students, and support the resources of our multimedia center and technology applications for teaching and learning. My previous educational experiences have served me well because I have learned from and endured trials and tribulations.

My past is my present and my present is my future. I have come home to make a difference and I am not finished. I am just getting started.

Inclusion, Acceptance, & Empathy... The Impact of Best Buddies

Nancy Campbell Principal, Prosser Vocational Education Center

The simple act of “including” someone can be life-changing. For those who live with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), organizations such as Best Buddies can provide muchneeded support and understanding, but most importantly, life-long friendships. Students and staff at Floyd Central High School and Highland Hills Middle School, located in southern Indiana as part of the New Albany Floyd County School Corporation are doing just that and so much more. Let’s celebrate their acts of kindness!

Floyd Central High School started their chapter during the 2018-2019 school year. This organization has grown to be the largest club at the school. Membership includes peers, students with IDD, and staff advisors with community volunteers. Activities have included Talent Shows, Friendship Walks, “Friendsgiving” Meals, and much more. Inclusion is welcomed there… as seen by the mural painted in a hallway in the school… that is power!

Our newest chapter at Highland Hills has high expectations as well. In its first year, the program has helped to make connections and will support transitions for both students and their families. A highlight was their first Friendship Walk which took place at their home track.

My son Avery is currently in his last “bonus” year at Floyd Central. Best Buddies provided Avery an opportunity to adjust, adapt and most importantly it provided a place for him to be himself. His buddies have taken him to his first

school dance and eventually to prom. He has formed life-long friendships and has been accepted and included. No longer isolated, he was invited! This is life-changing… lessons that extend beyond classroom walls and help to facilitate positive change. For that, we are truly grateful.

Inclusion, acceptance, and empathy… this is something to celebrate!

IPLI Updates

Dr. Kelly Andrews

Director

Indiana Principal Leadership Institute

IPLI is a premier professional development opportunity for the practicing principals of Indiana. We support you, encourage you, and provide growth in your leadership as we learn together, lead together, and connect.

OH, WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN FOR IPLI!

The Indiana Principal Leadership Institute (IPLI) has had an eventful and transformative year, leaving an indelible mark on educational leadership across the state. IPLI's core mission is to empower school principals with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to lead effectively.

■ IPLI celebrated a decade of service to Indiana Principals and schools across the state.

■ IPLI conducted intensive leadership seminars throughout the year, which evolved into action research projects that significantly impact principals and schools.

■ IPLI facilitated mentorship relationships between experienced principals and school leaders. This allowed for personalized guidance, problem-solving, and professional growth. Many principals reported that these connections were invaluable in navigating the challenges of school leadership.

■ IPLI provided extended opportunities for IPLI Graduates throughout the year and will continue serving all IPLI leaders.

IPLI COHORT 12

The Indiana Principal Leadership Institute Cohort 12 has formed a class for the 2024-2026 two-year journey of learning and networking. Expert mentors have been selected, and IPLI is putting things together to launch during the Summer Seminar 2024 on the ISU campus July 16-18. Headlining the event this summer will be Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, who will be joined by Dr. Rhonda Roos, Dr. Mario Acosta, Annette Breaux, and Kim Campbell.

IPLI EXTENDED 2024-25

IPLI Extended will have multiple opportunities for our graduates to grow professionally next year. You will hear from great speakers like Summer Seminar 2024

■ Dr. Joe Sanfileppo: Lead From Where You Are Cohort 11, Year 2 - Marzano Institute.

■ Dr. Mario Acosta and Dr. Phil Warrick -HRS Framework Levels 1, 2, & 3 Cohort 12, Year 1 speakers will include

■ Dr. Rhonda Roos: The Deliberate and Courageous Principal

■ *Dr. Nate Regier and Dr. Ryan Donlan: Personality & Leadership: Stewardship of Your Greatest Assets

■ Dr. Todd Whitaker: What Great Principals Do Differently

■ Dr. Steve Gruenert: School Culture Rewired 2.0

If you want to sign up for one or more sessions, the link to the application is on the IPLI website, www.indianapli.org , under the IPLI Extended tab at the top. Take time for your professional development and networking with Indiana leaders who have completed IPLI like you! And meet principals currently in the 2-year journey to support them as they learn. We encourage you to bring teacher leaders ($25 each) with you to the session(s) to participate in solid professional development that will keep you being the learning leader you are meant to be.

*September 25, 2024 - Cohort 12, Year 1: This seminar will be led by Dr. Nate Regier, a clinical psychologist, and Dr. Ryan Donlan, an ISU Professor, who are both Master Certified Trainers in the Process Communication Model. If you are interested in attending this seminar and want to receive a PCM Leadership Profile to be more fully engaged, please indicate that on the extended application; the inventory will be sent to you prior to the seminar. An additional charge of $100 will be required.

When you complete the Extended application, you will be invoiced for all seminars and the PCM inventory if indicated.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to grow through IPLI as a graduate and continue networking to increase your leadership capacity. One session or more sessions can give you time to regroup and share your professional thinking with others. Sign up today!

District or School Leadership Team Seminar

Unlock Your Leadership Potential with IPLI Extended! Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Look no further! Join our exclusive District or School Leadership Team Seminar hosted by IPLI Extended. What’s in Store for You?

■ Personal Leadership Capacity Enhancement: Dive deep into strategies and techniques that will empower you to lead with confidence, empathy, and vision. Whether you’re a seasoned district leader, principal, or an emerging teacher leader, this seminar is tailored to elevate your leadership game.

■ Process Communication Model (R): Discover your unique communication style and learn how to leverage it effectively. Each team member will receive a personalized PCM Leadership Profile, unlocking insights into your communication preferences, motivators, and stressors.

■ Problem-Solving Excellence: Tackling real-world challenges requires innovative solutions. During our oneday seminar, you’ll collaborate with like-minded educators on your team to address a problem of practice specific to your school or district. Together, we’ll find actionable steps to drive positive change.

■ Expert Guidance: Your seminar will be facilitated by a certified PCM trainer with years of leadership development experience. Additionally, expert IPLI leaders will share their wisdom, ensuring you gain practical tools to implement immediately.

Who Should Attend?

■ District Leaders: Superintendents, curriculum directors, and central office administrators.

■ School Leadership Teams: Principals, assistant principals, and teacher leaders.

■ Educators Passionate About Growth: If you’re committed to continuous improvement, this seminar is for you!

How to Apply?

■ Ensure at least one team member is a principal graduate or a teacher leader who has participated in IPLI.

■ Visit our website at IPLI Extended and submit your application.

■ Secure your spot early—limited dates are available!

■ The cost and date of the seminar will be determined based on your team.

Don’t miss this opportunity to ignite your leadership journey. Register today and be part of a transformative experience!

For inquiries, please contact Dr. Kelly Andrews @ kelly. andrews@indstate.edu or visit us at www.indianapli.org.

ISU COURSEWORK THROUGH IPLI

Did you know that ISU offers four courses to principals during their 2-year cohort with IPLI that connect directly to their work in IPLI? Tuition is half the cost for these courses if they sign up during their cohort years. In addition, these courses may lead to entering the ISU Ed.S. program or transferring the credits to another Indiana institution.

In Spring 2024, over 26 principals are enrolled in coursework through IPLI at ISU toward their next degree!

The goal is to support our principals who may seek higher education while participating in research-based inquiry work. This is just another perk of participating in IPLI.

As Director of IPLI, I am excited for the future of schools in Indiana as the aligned system for principal professional development has never been more significant. INALI, IPLI, and IPLI Extended Learning Opportunity meet the need. IPLI is grateful for your ongoing support, trust, and dedication to education and educators during these challenging times, showing Indiana’s commitment to growing our schools and students.

Celebrating Nurses Everyday

Susan Miles Officer, Kids Caring & Sharing TM

Riley Children’s Foundation

Students today face more complex and life-threatening health problems requiring care not only in professional healthcare settings like Riley Hospital, but also in school. Please take time to honor the amazing school nurses who play a large role in advancing the well-being and academic success of all students, serving as the liaison between the school community, their families and healthcare providers. While May 8th’s National School Nurses Day may have passed at this reading, it is never too late to thank and appreciate the dedicated healthcare professionals who provide a critical safety net for some of our most fragile children. Your school’s Kids Caring & SharingTM gift each year helps Riley Children's Health provide the best pediatric care to children and families throughout Indiana. This is made possible because of our exceptional team members, many of them nurses.

In recent years, the world has seen that health care providers can suffer from burnout, exhaustion, and compassion fatigue. When our team members are well--physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually--they can focus on the incredible work of healing and caring for Indiana’s children.

One initiative that your school gifts help make possible at Riley includes the chaplaincy team’s focus on supporting the well-being of not only of our patients and families, but also of our team members. In 2023, the first Tranquility Room opened for team members in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Hospitalist Unit. Since opening, there have been more than 2,500 recorded visits to the tranquility rooms. With philanthropic support, another Tranquility Room opened in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and more spaces are being added throughout the hospital.

Tranquility rooms are private spaces with soothing media, plants, and comfortable furniture where team members can meditate, decompress, and process difficult or stressful situations. The Riley chaplaincy team firmly believes that team members who feel well and grounded are more likely to offer compassionate care to patients and families. We appreciate your role in making this calming resource possible.

Before you head out

Please consider the Riley kids in your school community who reach beyond their medical challenges to give back to their school or larger community in some way. They may be a wonderful 2025 Riley Champion candidate! Nominations are due no later than June 1st.

Also, be sure your school treasurer has the information necessary to send your 2023-2024 KCS gifts to the Riley Children’s Foundation before June 30. Gifts postmarked by that date will be eligible for school corporation and Indiana Association of Student Council banner recognition.

Riley Children’s Foundation P.O. Box 3356

Indianapolis, IN 46206-3356

Attn: KCS/Susan Miles

Please send all other correspondence to our foundation office:

Riley Children’s Foundation

500 North Meridian Street, Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46204

Attn: KCS/SusanMiles

KGR Law Briefing

Séamus Boyce Attorney Kroger Gardis & Regas, LLP

Keith Butler Associate Attorney Education Law & Policy

Kroger Gardis & Regas, LLP

As the end of the school year is approaching, we join in the celebration with an uplifting message (by attorney standards). Thus, this article focuses on not getting sued. And if that isn’t uplifting and celebratory enough, we discuss employee discipline and not getting sued.

In the recent Supreme Court decision Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, Missouri, 144 S. Ct. 967 (2024) a female police officer accused the St. Louis Police Department of discriminating against her on the basis of sex. Specifically, she alleged that she was transferred from her preferred job assignment to a less desirable job assignment because due to her sex. This case got to the Supreme Court on the appeal of a Summary Judgment ruling. Therefore, the officer’s allegations regarding sexism were viewed in the light most favorable to her, essentially that they are assumed to be true.

The City of St. Louis (the officer’s employer) argued there was no rights violation because the transfer was a lateral move and was not a “significant” employment disadvantage. The Supreme Court found the standard should be that the action only had to cause “some” not “significant” disadvantage.

Title VII bans discrimination on the basis of sex, among other grounds. “Title VII makes it unlawful for an employer ‘to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.’ § 2000e–2(a)(1).”

In this case, important context is described as follows:

While Muldrow's rank and pay remained the same in the new position, her responsibilities, perks, and schedule did not. Instead of working with high-ranking officials on the departmental priorities lodged in the Intelligence Division, Muldrow now supervised the day-to-day activities of neighborhood patrol officers. Her new duties included approving their arrests, reviewing their reports, and handling other administrative matters; she also did some patrol work herself. Because she no longer served in the Intelligence Division, she lost her FBI status and the car that came with it. And the change of jobs made Muldrow's workweek less regular. She had worked a traditional Monday-through-Friday week in the Intelligence Division. Now she was placed on a “rotating schedule” that often involved weekend shifts.

The Court found that a lateral transfer should be reviewed under a “some disadvantage” standard rather than “significant disadvantage” and sent the case back to the lower court to analyze under that standard.

In practical terms for a school leader, this Supreme Court decision is an important one. It means it will be much harder for employers, including school districts, to win at an earlier stage of the litigation process. Therefore, it will be easier for plaintiffs to file “nuisance” suits and make it easier for cases to survive deeper into litigation, giving plaintiffs more leverage in settlement with schools and their insurance carriers.

What is the legal lesson from this brief?

The most straightforward way to avoid potential litigation regarding transfers is to transfer employees who want to be transferred. But if unilateral transfer is essential, employers must be clear on the rationale. Consistent with our standard counsel, you should create contemporaneous documentation on the school’s need for a transfer and why the particular employee was chosen for transfer. If you are transferring or even terminating an employee for disciplinary or performance reasons, again contemporaneous documentation is essential to defend against allegations of discrimination.

We at the KGR Legal Help Desk are here to address these education and any non-personal employment legal issues for IASP members. Until the next KGR Law Brief, stay legal!

Photo courtesy of Lifetouch.

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