NEW PALESTINE — Education is not just her profession; it is her passion.
Every morning, Katy Eastes puts on a smile, trying to plant a positive seed to show students, teachers and parents how fun and rewarding school can be.
Eastes, principal, New Palestine Elementary, has what she calls her dream job helping educate area youth and loves to share the good vibes with everyone who enters her building.
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For those who know the long-time elementary educator, it’s no real surprise she was selected as the District 10 Elementary School Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals.
She is now in the running for 2018 Elementary School Principal of the Year award. The educational honor is handed out each school year by the association to recognize the top school administrators from 12 different districts throughout the state.
Principal of the Year candidates can be nominated by fellow workers, student parents and other administrators, while Principals of the Year are elected by their peers.
Eastes, the District 10 winner, has been principal at New Palestine Elementary since 2015 when she replaced long time principal Mark Kern, one of her mentors.
“It is an honor to be recognized,” Eastes said.
Eastes began teaching in Southern Hancock schools in 1996 and knew from the start she wanted to spend her career in the district.
She’s served as a classroom teacher, dean of students, athletic director, interim principal and is now, principal of New Palestine Elementary School, a position she is proud to hold.
“I love this community with all my heart,” Eastes said. “I owe any success I experience to the students, families, and staff of Southern Hancock and specifically NPE.”
She also thanked her fellow Southern Hancock administrators for their guidance and support throughout the years.
Vincent Meo, the newly appointed principal at New Palestine Intermediate School, trained under Eastes at New Palestine Elementary and said she is the most caring person he has ever known.
“She has a love for her students, school, and community that shows in her words and actions,” he said in an email to the Daily Reporter.
One of her strengths, Meo said, is her ability to lead by example and always putting her students and staff first.
She also has the ability to bring out the best in everyone, he said.
“Katy accepts differences without judgment, with the inherent belief that all can contribute in a multitude of ways,” Meo said.
Eastes will be given the District 10 Elementary Principal of the Year award Nov. 18 during a special ceremony in Indianapolis where all elementary, middle and high school district winners will be recognized.
District 10 is located in the southeastern part of Indiana comprised of Dearborn, Decatur Fayette, Franklin, Hancock, Jennings, Ripley, Rush, Shelby and Union Counties.
From the 12 different District Elementary School Principal winners, one winner will be chosen to be the 2018 State Elementary School Principal of the Year. The state winner will be announced during the ceremony.
Last year, New Palestine High School principal Keith Fessler was named IASP High School Principal of the Year in Indiana. Three years ago, Doe Creek Middle School principal James Voelz won the Middle School Principal of the Year Award.
The Indiana Association of School Principals is a not-for-profit, professional association serving more than 2,500 building-level administrators in Indiana.
