INDIANAPOLIS – On the north side, an Indianapolis Public Schools principal leads by example and works to change her community for the better.
Making students feel loved, seen and heard, with high fives and hugs, Principal Crishell Sam wants kids to feel encouraged the moment they arrive at James Whitcomb Riley School 43.
“We’re greeting our students every day. Learning their names, catching them before they get to class, being able to see if it’s going to be a good day, if it’s going to be a not-so-good day, and what we need to do to help turn those things around,” she said.
Principal Sam started working for IPS in 2006. She was a sixth-grade teacher here before transitioning to administration. Now that she’s back at School 43 in her new role, it’s a full circle moment. For her first year, the theme is onward and upward.
“What we’re doing is we’re moving forward,” said Sam, “We are making sure we’re creating a safe space for our students, so our students want to be here every day.”
One way is through a success period. Not an uncommon practice at area schools, but for Principal Sam it’s an essential one. For 40 minutes a day, everyone is all in.
“We have our custodians, our secretary, administrative associate, dean, myself, community coordinators – we’re all working with our students and teachers and breaking them into smaller groups, so we can give students what they need,” she explained.
Monica DeLaPaz is the community coordinator and works directly with families to bridge any gap that could be holding children back.
“From rent to emotional support, to finding ways to help their children become successful in school,” said DeLaPaz.
An educator with IPS for more than 20 years, DeLaPaz followed Principal Sam to School 43.
“It’s like a magnet – everybody is going to follow,” DeLaPaz said, “She’s mentoring staff, she’s mentoring children, she’s mentoring family, she’s mentoring community and it’s all coming together.”
Every morning, every student is reminded of the “three Rs”: respect, resilience, and responsibility. All are actions they can practice in the classroom and out in their neighborhood.
“I’m a big believer in our students,” said Principal Sam.
She stresses that she doesn’t do this work alone–a big factor is her staff and the teachers at School 43.
“The work we do is not easy work. It’s work you have to be committed to doing. You have to have a passion and love for this,” she said. “The gifts and the talents of all of our teachers and support staff bring to this space help us get the work done for students.”
Leading by example, Principal Sam is showing what it means to be remarkable.
School 43 has big plans to grow. Principal Sam and her staff are in the planning phase right now to add performing arts classes next year. They hope to offer band, orchestra and dance, giving students the chance to understand and appreciate the arts.
To learn more about James Whitcomb Riley School 43 and their programs and ongoing efforts, click here.
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