This initiative will help create a Community of Practice committed to learning and working together to increase support for students on the path to postsecondary education

INDIANAPOLIS – 26 January 2022 – Yesterday evening at Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, Indy Achieves, an initiative of Mayor Joe Hogsett launched in 2018, brought together 20 educators from across Marion County to collaborate on the Community of Practice Planning Committee (CPPC), a six-meeting initiative to create a Community of Practice committed to learning and working together to increase support for students on the path to postsecondary education.

“I am eager to see the Community of Practice Planning Committee come together to support the goals of youth in our community,” said Angela Carr Klitzsch, President & CEO of EmployIndy, where Indy Achieves is housed. “The work that Indy Achieves and these dedicated educators do will be invaluable in providing students with the tools to be successful after leaving high school.”

Indy Achieves created the CPPC to jumpstart formal efforts to address challenges of postsecondary success, by bringing together highly qualified educators. To begin this work in Marion County, Indy Achieves invited schools county-wide to apply to the CPPC, offering grants to selected schools for investing into the effort of guiding our students to success after high school graduation. These schools will lay the foundation for an ongoing Community of Practice, a network which strives to have a collective impact on postsecondary attainment in Marion County.

“We are committed to helping each student achieve their aspirations during and after high school. We value the 21st Century Scholarship program and Indy Achieves and the many opportunities they provide our students. We are excited to be a part of the Community of Practice Planning Committee to learn and share best practices, identify barriers, and find solutions that will support all students in Marion County,” said Kara Moreland, College & Careers Administrator at Christel House High School on her school’s acceptance to the CPPC.

Indy Achieves received 21 applications from various schools throughout Marion County. Through the selection process, six high schools and four middle schools were selected to participate, each represented by a school counselor and/or administrator pair. An additional four schools have been invited to participate as observing members. The criteria for selection included past performance on 21st Century Scholars enrollment and Scholar Success Program completion, among other data points.

Through the end of the 2022 school year, six meetings will be held at Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis for these educators to share best practices and develop innovative approaches to address the needs of students and their families. Among these discussions, the meetings will also connect educators to resources from community-based organizations, Ivy Tech, and data tools to streamline their efforts. Upon conclusion of the CPPC, the committee will decide on a framework for a permanent Community of Practice to continue and expand their efforts.

“When you bring together individuals who are passionate about seeing all students succeed, it is a win-win! We are thrilled to have representation of districts across Marion County for the CPPC. The innovative ideals and processes that will come from the continued work of the Community of Practice will be key in the success of our students now and to come.” said Esther Woodson, Director of Indy Achieves.

The Community of Practice Planning Committee aims to set the groundwork for sustaining and further building the Community of Practice in 2023, supported by the efforts of local educators and Indy Achieves.

2022 Community of Practice Planning Committee members include:

Indianapolis Public Schools

Longfellow STEM Middle School
Jimmie Ellison, Counselor
Stacy Coleman, Principal

Shortridge High School
Andrea Harris, Counselor
Dennis Thomas, Principal

Mayor's Sponsored Charter Schools

Victory College Prep
Amber Walker, College & Career Readiness Teacher
Jenna Beck, Asst. Principal

Christel House High School
Kara Moreland, College and Careers Administrator
Paige Pittman, Principal

KIPP Indy Legacy High School
Randi Perry, Director of Counseling and Social Services

MSD of Lawrence Township

Lawrence North High School
Connie Sivertson, School Counselor & Department Leader
Brett Crousore, Principal

Belzer Middle School
Bonita Neal, Counselor
Lukas Muller, Assistant Principal

MSD of Perry Township

Southport High School
Briana Underwood, Counselor
Julie Fierce, Counseling Director

MSD of Washington Township

Northview Middle School
Molly Henry, Professional School Counselor
Jennifer Dodson, District Lead School Counselor, Grades 6-12

MSD of Wayne Township

Ben Davis High School
Sherman Woodard, Guidance Director
Rebecca Daugherty-Saunders, Director of College & Career Readiness

To learn more about Indy Achieves’ Community of Practice Planning Committee, visit www.indyachieves.org/community-of-practice.

About Indy Achieves
Indy Achieves is a program created by Mayor Joe Hogsett and housed at EmployIndy that aims to ensure that every Indianapolis resident has the ability to complete a postsecondary credential or degree program. To accomplish this, Indy Achieves seeks to increase the number of individuals who apply for existing financial aid programs such as 21st Century Scholars and FAFSA as well as provide Indy Achieves Promise Scholarships and wraparound support services for Marion County students who attend Ivy Tech Indianapolis and IUPUI. Learn more at indyachieves.org.

About EmployIndy
EmployIndy guides the local workforce ecosystem and makes strategic investments to remove barriers to quality employment for underserved and underrepresented residents. Our vision is for all Marion County residents to have access to services and training necessary to secure a livable wage and grow in a career that meets employer demand for talent. As the workforce development board for Marion County, guided by 24 business, civic, education and nonprofit community leaders, EmployIndy invests $20 million in public, private and philanthropic funds for both youth and adults annually. Learn more at employindy.org.