Stephanie Cotter, who has been a teacher with Beech Grove city schools since 2012, is the new principal of Central Elementary School that includes all second- and third-grade students in the school district.

She was confirmed by the school board at its July 9 meeting to succeed Craig Buckler who recently was appointed as assistant superintendent of Martinsville schools.

Cotter has taught for 10 years and has served as the second- and third-grade looping teacher at Central Elementary and then a third-grade mentor teacher since 2016.

She previously served as a first-grade teacher at Brookside Elementary, an IPS school.

“Her extensive experience as an elementary teacher and her dedication to and passion for our Beech Grove students impressed everyone in the interview process,” Beech Grove City Schools Supt. Paul Kaiser stated.

Cotter graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University - Bloomington, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). A portion of her student teaching was completed in New Zealand. She is also a TAP certified teacher evaluator.
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She lives with her daughter, Bella, and they enjoy spending time outdoors, attending dance competitions, traveling to new places, and creating new memories. In her leisure time, she enjoys volunteer work, running, and reading.