FORTVILLE — A Muncie laboratory school leader will take the helm at Fortville Elementary School starting this summer.
Mt. Vernon’s school board earlier this week approved the hiring of Vince Edwards as the school’s new principal. He’ll succeed Stacy Muffler, who on July 1 will start as the district’s assistant director of curriculum and instruction.
Edwards has been elementary principal and K-12 assistant principal at Burris Laboratory School in Muncie since 2014. With an enrollment of about 670 students, the school provides a clinical setting for preparing future teachers through Ball State University’s Teachers College.
“I am both humbled and honored to be selected as your next principal and am thrilled to join the FES and Mt. Vernon family,” Edwards said in a news release. “I love working with students, staff and parents to create a community centered on student learning with an emphasis on the whole child. As a servant leader, I look forward to contributing my experience and expertise to build on the excellence of Fortville Elementary and will work hard each day to make a difference in the lives of others.”
At Burris Laboratory School, Edwards oversaw assessments as corporation test coordinator and Project Lead the Way, a program that teaches in-demand skills by exploring real-world challenges and provides pathways in computer science, engineering and biomedical science. He also led an initiative to restructure schedules allowing for greater acceleration options for high-ability middle school students.
Edwards is expected to achieve his doctorate of education from Ball State University next month. He earned his education specialist degree from Ball State in 2017 and master’s degree in educational leadership from Anderson University in 2011. He began his education career as a math teacher in 2002 after getting his bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University in South Carolina.
Mt. Vernon chose Edwards for his experience leading classroom technology improvements and providing professional development as well as his transparency and administrative experience, according to the release. The release also highlighted his understanding of educational systems and structures along with creating a team-building culture through positive relationships and staff support.
“He has an innate intent to connect theory into practice and build staff’s capacity to implement a high level of learning for all students,” according to the release. “He excels in his interpersonal relationship skills, which are complemented by his humble demeanor.”
Jack Parker, Mt. Vernon superintendent, led the collaborative hiring process that involved teachers, principals and parents.
“Mr. Edwards’ experience in leading high levels of learning, staff collaboration, and ability to relate to elementary students and staff, made him the best candidate to take an excellent elementary school and continue its path of future success,” Parker said in the release. “His references proved he holds himself to high standards and has a strong integrity and drive to do what is best for students.”
