New HSE Administrators for the 2011-12 School Year
November 1st, 2011
HSE Board approves appointment of new assistant superintendent
Hamilton Southeastern Schools Board of School Trustees approved the appointment of Dr. Beth Huffman Niedermeyer as assistant superintendent at its Monday evening meeting. Dr. Niedermeyer is currently assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at MSD Pike Township.
“We are very pleased to welcome Beth Niedermeyer as our new assistant superintendent. Beth has a reputation as a curricular leader around the state. She has led many curricular state initiatives, trained many teachers and administrators and is an advocate of best educational practices in teaching and learning,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Smith. “Beth is student-centered and views student outcomes as a cornerstone of a quality school district.”
Dr. Niedermeyer feels a combination of her past experiences prepared her best for this new position including “teaching, leading, advocating, learning and having tremendous passion to serve students, educators and families of HSE.”
She was previously director of elementary education and a principal in Pike Township after being a principal and teacher in Fort Wayne Community Schools. Among her awards and honors are the Excellence in Education Award from the Indiana North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Principal of the Year from the Indiana Association of School Principals, the Distinguished Education Alumna Award from Indiana Purdue University at Fort Wayne and Teacher of the Year from Fort Wayne Community Schools. She has also served as a facilitator for the Indiana Principal’s Leadership Academy.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to be a part of the HSE school district, a school community that maintains a strong reputation for excellence,” said Dr. Niedermeyer. “I am eager to meet the students, staff, families and community members of HSE and look forward to the possibilities that exist.”
Her educational background includes a Ph.D., superintendent license coursework and aerospace science endorsement from Purdue University. She earned B.S. and M.S degrees in elementary education as well as completed administrative license coursework and a reading endorsement from Indiana Purdue University at Fort Wayne
Dr. Niedermeyer has been married to her husband Bob for 25 years, who is a journeyman electrician. She has 14 nieces and nephews and in her spare time enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, water skiing and spending time with family.
Dr. Fredericks joins admin team as K-12 curriculum director
K-12 Curriculum Director Dr. Jeanne Fredericks comes to Hamilton Southeastern from Noblesville Schools. “I have heard great things about the district and its people. Each school, as well as the district at large, has a unique culture,” said Dr. Fredericks. I’m excited about learning everything there is to know about HSE Schools and becoming a contributing and supportive member of the school community.”
Besides learning the names and locations of the schools and the people, she looks forward to understanding the initiatives and services provided by our schools and district. Dr. Fredericks sees her education career experiences as her strengths including 18 years as an elementary, middle and high school classroom teacher and coach and 11 years as a district administrator.
“My last six years as the Noblesville Schools director of curriculum and instruction has best prepared me for my new role with HSE,” said Fredericks. “I’ve learned over the years that it isn’t so much about how much you know but the desire and drive to continue to learn and best accomplish identified goals.”
Her degrees from Ball State University include a doctorate in educational leadership, Ed.D. in school superintendency, M.A.’s in secondary education biology and physical education and a B.S. in physical education and health.
She and husband Bill, president of Fredericks Inc. Contractors, have been married 33 years. They have three married children, two grandchildren and one more on the way. Her hobbies include running, water and snow skiing and golfing.
Chastain chosen to lead RSI as principal
Riverside Intermediate’s Assistant Principal Danielle Chastain was selected to be that school’s new principal. “I’m so excited about continuing with a staff that loves to teach and creating a culture where kids love to learn,” she said. “Taking on the new role as principal makes it even better! I am really looking forward to taking on an active role with curriculum and instruction.”
She thinks finding creative ways to carve out time for activities such as professional development and professional learning communities will be her biggest challenge.
With her entire career as an educator in the HSE district, Chastain has taught Grades 3, 5 and 6 and was a teacher in HSE Middle School, Sand Creek Intermediate and Geist Elementary. She also served as assistant principal and guidance counselor at HSE Middle School. “Every professional experience that I have had coupled with the relationships built here over the last 18 years have shaped me in the leader that I am today,” said Chastain. “I have worked alongside and learned a great deal from so many amazing teachers, administrators, support staff and community members.” She added that she has learned the most from the students!
Chastain earned a B.S. degree in elementary education as well as a M.A. in educational administration and supervision from Ball State University.
She and husband Jeremy, owner of Personal Impressions, have a 14-year-old son at HSE High School and twin girls at Fall Creek Intermediate.
Huesing becomes Riverside Jr. High principal
New Riverside Junior High Principal Rob Huesing has been the assistant principal of that same building for four years. He’s excited “to lead a school full of great students and staff to bigger and better things.” He sees his biggest challenge to ensure that “Riverside is the best place to learn and work. Mike Beresford and Matt Kegley have been great leaders, and I only hope to continue that trend.”
Huesing thinks being a parent and resident in the district and working 17 of his 19 years in education at the junior high level have helped prepare him best for his new role. “I’ve been blessed to work with outstanding teachers and administrators throughout my career who have helped me learn, grow and lead,” he added.
Prior to coming to RSJH, Huesing was building administrator and teacher in MSD Lawrence Township after being an academy leader at Westfield High School and a teacher in Houston, Texas. He has a B.S. in education from Indiana University and M.S. in educational administration from Butler University.
He and wife Erica, who works in banking, have two sons, one a senior and the other a freshman at HSE High School
Ededuwa chosen as new Durbin Elementary principal
“I am so blessed to have been chosen as the principal of Durbin Elementary,” said Linda Ededuwa. “I am excited to begin this new journey with Hamilton Southeastern Schools.” Ededuwa is a parent of three children who already attend school here, and she feels HSE offers the opportunity for any student to excel to his/her full capacity. “I look forward to being a part of the HSE/Durbin team that will continue to promote Honor, Scholarship and Excellence.”
Durbin’s new principal has spent 24 years in education serving as a teacher, assistant wellness director, assistant principal and principal in the Indianapolis Public School (IPS) District. Most recently she was principal of IPS #96 that serves Grades 1-6.
“I have been molded and trained by one of the toughest, largest school districts in the state . . . The experience that I have working with inner city students and families, community organizations and many other outside organizations is priceless,” she said. “The struggles for every student are different, and my background has prepared me to deal with almost any crisis that occurs. My experience has truly developed me into who I am and what I believe in – student success!”
She has her B.S. and M.A. in education from Ball State University. She and her husband Ededuwa (goes by single name Ededuwa), who works in savings and loans, have three children – two girls in Grades 8 and 6 and a son in Grade 3.
Kegley Returns to HSE High School As Principal
Matt Kegley is the new principal of HSE High School after previously serving there as assistant principal and most recently as principal of Riverside Junior High.
Being high school assistant principal of curriculum and staff development allowed “me to work closely with the building principal in shaping the educational environment of the school. Additionally, the last three years as principal at RJH have provided me with experiences that one can only get as principal.” Examples he gave include working with school and community liaisons such as PTO, assisting staff in improving instruction and fostering a positive school climate. Riverside Junior High was named a Best Place to Work in 2009-10. When he became principal at Riverside, it served Grades 5-8. He led the transition when the attached Riverside Intermediate opened, dividing into two schools—a Grade 7-8 junior high and Grade 5-6 intermediate. “These experiences have been invaluable in shaping me into the school leader that I am today,” he said.
Kegley called returning to HSE High School and the many people with whom he previously worked a “unique and inviting opportunity.” He said, “There are many changes and challenges that face the high school in the coming years. I am looking forward to tackling those challenges in a way that will best meet the needs of our high school students.” HSE High School’s continued growth is one challenge, and the creation and implementation of a freshman center in 2012-13 is another he mentioned.
Previously, Kegley was assistant principal at Huntington North High School, and athletic director/program director at Waldron Jr./Sr. High School after teaching there. Kegley is working on his doctorate and has an M.S. in educational leadership and B.S. in physical education with a minor in U.S. history.
He and wife Jennifer, school nurse at Durbin Elementary, have two daughters and one son in Grades 7, 5 and 2, respectively.
Henson Is New Sand Creek Elementary Principal
Nikki J.Henson is the new principal of Sand Creek Elementary this year. Henson most recently served as assistant principal at Crooked Creek Elementary in Washington Township.
“I am looking forward to learning more about the school community and sharing my experiences as an educator as we emphasize learning and teaching,” said Henson. “ . . . I am eager to meet all of the teachers, students and families as we work together to maintain the high quality of achievement at Sand Creek Elementary School.”
Her 15 years of experience in education includes being acting principal at Crooked Creek for nine weeks and summer school coordinator. She has also taught at Westlane Middle School and Nora Elementary.
Henson feels her past teaching and experience as assistant principal best prepared her for this new position. “As one of the instructional leaders, I’ve worked along side teachers with curriculum implementation, developing relationships and sharing strategies to meet the needs of all students,” she said. “In the role of assistant principal, one of the most rewarding responsibilities included serving as the International Baccalaureate coordinator as Crooked Creek became an IB World Candidate School.”
The new principal sees her biggest challenge in establishing and maintaining a climate of trust and collaboration, as well as joining a new school district. Henson has her M.S. degree in educational administration from Butler University and B.S. in elementary education from Alabama A & M University.
Johnson joins HSE as Riverside Int. assistant principal
Riverside Intermediate’s new Assistant Principal Brian Johnson said his biggest challenge will be “just learning the rituals and day-to-day operations of Riverside and HSE Schools as a whole. . .” However, he’s looking forward to just that as well as building relationships with everyone in the school community. “I look forward to fully submersing myself in HSE Schools.”
As a Fishers resident, he considers it an honor to serve as an educator in this community and have a hand in preparing the children of HSE Schools for the 21st century. Johnson previously served as assistant principal at Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) #14 and #31 after teaching at the elementary level in IPS and Illinois districts.
He has a B.S. in elementary education from Indiana State University and M.S. in education administration from Eastern Illinois University.
He and wife Holly, who works for Eli Lilly, have two daughters ages 6 and 1.
HSEH’s Simmons selected for RSJH assistant principal
As the new assistant principal at Riverside Junior High, Reggie Simmons looks forward to working “with the staff on achieving academic goals for our kids and helping each student reach his/her full potential while building positive relationships with families . . .”
Simmons feels being part of the HSE family for the past six years as dean of students at HSE High school helped him prepare for this new position. “Working on our school improvement team and freshman mentoring program enabled me to further develop my leadership skills and assist in implementing our district and building level goals,” he said. He sees his biggest challenge in learning the school culture and relating to the middle school climate.
Simmons earned his B.S. in secondary social studies at IUPUI and a M.S. in educational administration at Butler University. Prior to coming to HSEHS, he was a teacher in elementary special education and a secondary alternative school in MSD Washington Township. Before that he taught elementary and middle school special education in MSD Perry Township.
He and his wife Michelle have four children in the HSE district – a 10-year-old son, 12- and 13-year-old daughters as well as a 20-year-old son.
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