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Friday, March 29, 2024

Sit in with Pike Township superintendent

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Part three of the Recorder’s series on Indianapolis’ five Black school superintendents features Nathaniel Jones. Jones has served as the superintendent of Pike Township for the past 12 years. His accomplishments, which span over 40 years, include three degrees, two Distinguished Alumni Awards from Indiana University, the prestigious Milken Educator Award, the Center for Leadership Achiever Award, and the State of Indiana’s Sagamore of the Wabash honor. The Recorder spoke with Superintendent Jones about his career in education and his plans for Pike.

Recorder: At age 27, you were one of the youngest principals in the state of Indiana. You went on to serve in different capacities in the field of education. How have your experiences prepared you for your current position?

Jones: Yes, I was one of the youngest principals in Indiana. In addition, I was among a very small number of African-Americans in Marion County who served as an administrator outside of the Indianapolis Public School System. However, I served in the Indianapolis Public Schools for five years where I was hired as the first male first grade teacher. Each subsequent year, I was assigned a different grade level to teach. Even though I had different students the goals were the same: give them the best I could offer with instruction but also encouraged them to overcome obstacles in their lives.

Leaving my IPS experience to work for Washington Township was the beginning of a new chapter in my educational journey. I had the opportunity to serve as a principal in three of Washington Township’s schools working with amazing students. The teachers and parents truly helped me develop my administrative skills and increase my understanding of curriculum and instruction. I always knew I would become a superintendent but I wanted to be a great leader and educator for the district that I would one day serve.

In Pike Township schools, the number of children passing ISTEP is steadily increasing. To what do you owe this level of success?

Thanks for acknowledging that Pike’s ISTEP scores have made steady increases. In fact, in Marion County, Pike’s ISTEP scores have made the highest increases at 11 percent over the past five years. The school district was made aware that achievement was increasing as far back as 2005, when Standard & Poor’s ratings recognized Pike for significantly narrowing the Black-white and Hispanic-white achievement gaps. Several reasons for the steady increased student achievement includes: visionary leadership; a supportive board; competent, caring, and dedicated administrators and teachers; increased expectations; positive and supportive learning environments; and engaged parents.

Explain your plan to provide a “safety net” for children who are at risk of not performing highly.

We have a well-developed support system. It changes every two years. In addition, I have developed a plan referred to as “non-negotiable” and all Pike’s teachers and administrators understand that the strategies identified in my non-negotiables will be implemented with fidelity throughout the school district. In addition, I and members of my cabinet serve as a check and balance by serving as second evaluators for teachers.

Pike High School is known for being culturally diverse and for providing opportunities in the way of advanced courses as well as a number of extracurricular activities. How does this enhance the educational experiences of your students?

Good question. It is important for students to be challenged academically in order to reach his/her full potential. Over the past six years, Pike High School has received numerous accolades for its increased student achievement. It is one of fewer than 400 public school districts in the nation to be honored with a place on the College Board’s 2nd Annual AP Honor Roll. Pike High School was ranked 13th in the state on the Washington’s Post’s List of America’s Most Challenging High School and was also included on Newsweek’s list of American Best High Schools. Just recently, due to Pike’s accomplishments with all of its students, it recently received one of two $4 million grants from President Obama to support its goal to elevate STEM education and programs in the high school. Pike’s IB enrollment is second to one of our sister high schools and our student success rate is equally as impressive. Pike has one of the most successful pre-collegiate programs in Indiana with over 85 percent of its students attending post-secondary institutions upon graduating from high school. Pike High School has continued to boast a graduation rate over 91 percent. Due to the changes that were made with student-increased assistance, Pike High School students in 2003 went from earning $3 million in grants and scholarships to as high as $20 million dollars.

If you could have anything you wanted this school year, what would that be?

I would want to see MSD of Pike Township continue to remain focused on its students and avoid being entangled in the non-productive politics.

Secondly, that Pike continues to receive support from our families and community partners who truly have shown how much they care about our students.

Third, I would like to see increased funding by the state for full day kindergarten before it attempts to fund pre-schools.

Lastly, I would like to see Indiana Public Schools receive the recognition and appreciation from our legislators for the many great things that take place daily in our schools.

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