Update #102 From Dr. Derek Arrowood, Superintendent, Hamilton Heights School Corporation

This is Public Schools Week – a week designated to recognize and celebrate the invaluable role of our nation’s public schools. It’s also worthy of its own column. I consider it an honor and a privilege to lead in service to our children and our families in a district that has been helping to prepare students to go out into the world and make a meaningful difference for well over a century. We are caregivers of the gift of public education that we continue to pass along to benefit future generations.

My experience in a public school helped me to become the best version of myself by giving me opportunities, experiences, role models, and mentors. It also helped pave the way to a career in education. I became a classroom teacher and continued my education earning advance degrees and certifications to become an administrator. Ultimately, I came full circle to serve as Superintendent of Hamilton Heights School Corporation in 2014, the district and community that made such an impact on my life during those formative years.

Every day I get to be inspired by our educators, staff, students, families, and community partners who work together because they share in the belief that strong public schools are the foundation of success for young people, the growth of our communities, and instrumental to our country’s future. Every day I see successes, accomplishments, achievements, large and small, among both our students and staff – from what I think is one of the best seats in the house. These accomplishments take place on and off our campus, many of which there is little public fanfare but nonetheless incredibly important.

Others are quite remarkable such as junior Tyler Tuntland and Heights’ graduate Grant Venable (’20), a part of a four-person team who won a 48-hour reality TV competition and now advance to nationals later this month. We had three Huskies, Ryan Reed, a second-grader, Lu Hubbell (’22) and Theresa Morris (‘88) who collaborated to write, illustrate, and publish a series of children’s books. Seniors Ethan Swart and Nathan Cox competed against the best of the best to become the 2023 IHSAA State Finals Diving Champion and Runner Up! HHHS Business Department Chair, Kim Kaiser, received the Dual Credit President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction from Ivy Tech for the 2022-2023 year.

Hamilton Heights, like public schools everywhere, serve all students, no matter their background, socioeconomic status, or ability. They are places of hope and joy, where every child is loved, respected, and celebrated for who they are.

I give great credit to our teachers, school staff, administrators, and volunteers who serve at Hamilton Heights. They are a strong and unified force with a common goal – to prepare the next generation of students for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Whether they teach students in the classroom, drive school buses, coach a team, serve on our school board, prepare nutritious meals, support students’ mental and emotional health, or maintain and repair buildings, the people serving in our public schools are making our communities and our world a better place.

Public education is for everyone and brings dreams to life. It should be celebrated every day, just like our students. Thank you for being an important part of what makes Hamilton Heights a place where kids find hope, purpose, and can reach their potential. #WeAreHuskies

Dr. Derek Arrowood is the Superintendent of the Hamilton Heights School Corporation.