Northeastern Elementary School hires new administration out of Richmond

FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. — Northeastern Elementary School is getting new administration courtesy of Richmond Community Schools.

Tierney Stevenson, Jennifer O’Brien and Tim Davis, Jr. were introduced to the Northeastern Wayne School Board members at their May 18 meeting. Stevenson will take over as the elementary school’s principal, O’Brien will fill the assistant principal position and Davis will serve as the school’s student resource officer.

Following her graduation out of the Centerville-Abington school district and then Franklin College, Stevenson taught in Beech Grove City Schools for the first seven years of her career. She then transitioned into a district coaching position for Indianapolis Public Schools, where she provided support for nearly 20 elementary schools.

After earning her master’s degree in school administration and supervision from Ball State University, Stevenson took on her first principal role in 2017 at Vaile Elementary School, where she’s been ever since.

According to an NWS release, Stevenson is a “servant leader” and helped shift the culture at Vaile to one where every student feels loved and can succeed by creating a family-like atmosphere where teachers and students feel supported and safe.

Related: Northeastern superintendent advocates for student support in Washington, D.C.

“The hiring committee was looking for someone with a clear approach to bringing a positive culture to the building and someone with the experience it takes to lead an experienced staff.” Superintendent Matthew Hicks said in the release. “Mrs. Stevenson’s desire to help all teachers work toward a shared vision was the real separating factor for her hire.”

Earlier this month, Stevenson had the honor of watching Tori Johnson, her fourth-grade teacher at Vaile, win the 2022 RCS Teacher of the Year Award.

More: Vaile’s Tori Johnson wins RCS Teacher of the Year, prioritizes relationship with students

At that same ceremony May 3, RCS’ 25th-annual Celebration of Excellence, O’Brien received quite the sendoff from her RCS colleagues. The event had just wrapped up, but the crowd had one last round of applause to give. A chant of “Thank you, Jennifer” started from the back of the Civic Hall Performing Arts Center, and nearly everyone in attendance joined. Nothing but deafening applause followed for the next two minutes straight, and O’Brien had a big smile on her face as she walked off the stage.

Related: RCS employees still in shock a week after recognition at Celebration of Excellence

O’Brien has a master’s degree from Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis and plans to start work on her doctorate in the coming year. O'Brien has spent the last 21 years with RCS as a teacher, elementary principal, chief human resources officer, interim superintendent and, most recently, assistant superintendent.

The release states that O’Brien is looking forward to getting back into school buildings with teachers and students. She and Stevenson have a “great working relationship,” and they are excited to lead Northeastern Elementary together.

“Our hiring committee was drawn to the strength of Ms. O’Brien’s experience and her sincere desire to help teachers in their endeavor to help students grow,” Hicks said in the release. “She brings the type of knowledge that will positively influence all levels of our organization.”

Davis’ SRO role will be familiar to him. He has focused on serving Richmond’s youth throughout his long tenure with the Richmond Police Department. Davis has also been a part of the Richmond SWAT team as well as a strong force behind the county’s Safety Town initiative.

“We are getting a seasoned law enforcement officer with a team approach and a clear heart for our children,” Hicks said in the release. “We are fortunate to have him and cannot wait to see the difference he will make in the lives of our youngest Knights.”

Zach Piatt reports on sports and education for The Palladium-Item. Contact him at zpiatt@gannett.com or on Twitter @zachpiatt13.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Northeastern Elementary hires new administration out of Richmond