April 4, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Poe ready for new role as Hope principal
But by coming in the weekend before school began, along with help from new dean Kyle Wheeler, she was able to hit the ground running. She said the staff was able to make sure that everyone was going to be able to arrive for school safely on Wednesday and that the classrooms would be ready.
Poe is replacing former principal Lisa Smith, who served for nine years, before leaving suddenly the week before school started. The turnover wasn't limited to just the administration -- Poe started the year with six new teachers at the school, out of a teaching staff of about 21 teachers.
"(We are) just making sure that we have everybody on board and that our vision is aligned as we move forward, is going to be a challenge," Poe said.
"... I think the most important thing here is that we start off positive, that everybody is looking forward to the year. With all the changes, I think it is important for the community, the families, the teachers to stand behind one another and support Hope Elementary. We are going to make it the best year, yet!"
Shawn Price, school district superintendent, said that he learned lessons from previous turnover at Hauser High School, when he started there as principal. He said teachers and others who helped in the interview process this time around, all chipped in to find the right people for the position.
"Really, what it comes down to is, if you look hard enough and you work hard in that interview process and calling people, looking at every applicant, you find the right fit," Price said. "That just happened. All the way up until Friday, we were still looking and interviewing. And it happened for almost every position we had."
Price said that he expected Poe to bring a very positive, caring atmosphere with her to the school.
Poe said she first became interested in Hope when her daughter began playing softball with children from Hope.
"From that, my love for this community sort of blossomed," Poe said. "Hope Heritage Days, and when I was able to make it to the state championship softball game. I really just saw a lot of potential here in this school and was just honored to have the opportunity to come and join them."
Poe said she had been talking to community members about her ideas for Hope Elementary, should the opportunity ever present itself. When Smith resigned, Poe was called in.
"We had talked about school, just different ideas and things like that, so they knew that I was intrigued by the position," she said. "As soon as it opened, I applied. I was fortunate enough to get it. So, the turnaround was pretty quick."
Poe grew up in the area, attending Southwestern High School in Shelby County before attending Franklin College. She earned her masters in administration from Ball State University.
She was an elementary teacher for 10 years before moving into administration, teaching at Indiana Creek and Shelbyville.
Poe's most recent job was at Shelbyville Middle School, where she was assistant principal for two years. Prior to that, she was principal for a year at Rockcreek Elementary in Columbus.
She and her husband, Cameron, have two girls, ages 3 and 9.
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