Jack Parker Focus Group

In February of 1989, I came to Center Grove as a student teacher from Indiana State University.  Upon the departure of my supervising teacher later that spring, I was hired to replace her as band director at Center Grove Middle School.  During my eight-year tenure as band director, I completed my master’s degree at Butler University in school administration in their esteemed Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP). In the fall of 1997, I was offered a position to serve as Associate Director of the Indiana Principal Leadership Academy (IPLA) at the Indiana Department of Education.  This two-year program to support practicing principals was foundational in my development as an educational leader. After spending two-years at the IDoE, I came back to serve Center Grove Middle School/Center Grove Middle School Central as an assistant principal in the fall of 1999.  In the spring of 2004, I was honored to accept the principalship of Center Grove Middle School Central where I stayed for nine years.  During this time, I went back to Indiana State University to complete my PhD in school administration which allowed me to receive a superintendent’s license. In 2013, I was offered a position in central office as Assistant Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment and Special Education.  After serving in that capacity for almost two years, I was offered the leadership position of our newly formed Teaching & Learning Department where I became Director and subsequently Assistant Superintendent. While serving as a central office administrator, I also served the University of Indianapolis as an adjunct professor in their iLead program teaching curriculum and professional development classes to aspiring principals.  I continue to support EPPSP as well as the reimagined IPLA (now, IPLI) as a presenter and mentor. Throughout my career, I have been supported by my wife Pam for 31 years as well as our wonderful son Wyatt who just turned 21 in the summer of 2018.

Creston Middle School

Greenwood Northeast Elementary

Raymond Park Intermediate Academy

Franklin Township Middle School East

Mt. Vernon Middle School