Superintendent of Perry Township Schools
In Perry Township the laser focus of a kindergarten-through-12th-grade education is to provide a strong academic program. We also focus on providing students with the knowledge and experiences to select and pursue their career dreams.
Students walk through our doors with a variety of skills, talents, and interests that reach far beyond the traditional math, language arts, science and social studies curriculum. The challenge for quality school districts like Perry Township is to offer a variety of experiences that helps a child select the career path that is most suited to their particular interests. In many instances these experiences fall far beyond the four walls of the classroom.
We are fortunate to offer a large number of successful programs. As you analyze these programs there is one common thread throughout every single success story: There is a teacher, a coach or a significant adult who has a passion for that particular program. This enthusiasm literally catches on fire throughout that department. These leaders put in hours and hours throughout the year planning and preparing for their particular season to shine. They are fed not through their personal accomplishments but through the success and joys of their students.
The challenge for the administration is two-fold. You must recruit individuals with the passion for their particular area of interest and you must provide for them the tools and the support to accomplish their goals. Bands need instruments; athletic programs need practice facilities; and the drama department needs a stage.
These experiences prepare students for life challenges. Programs ebb and flow throughout the years.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. The lessons you learn from both experiences are valuable lessons for life. How one copes with the successes in life is just as important as how one copes with rejections.
Anytime you have a great program that has been successful for decades, everyone wonders if they can keep the momentum moving forward. The wrestling program at Perry Meridian High has not missed a beat this year under the direction of new coach Matt Schoettle. We are proud of the teams’ accomplishments. The passion, dedication and commitment from the coaching staff is second to none. Matt says he’s most proud of the fact that he had five All-State academic wrestlers.
The swim programs at both high schools have recently undergone leadership changes. Chris Etherington at Perry Meridian and Matt Jeffries at Southport have established high expectations for commitment and dedication to the sport. Participation levels are growing, and there is a buzz about the future of swimming throughout Perry Township.
Having strong, competitive programs helps build strong schools and attracts families to move into our community. We are passionate about our goal of being highly competitive in the classroom, on the stage and on the field.