When the Student Becomes the Teacher - The Advancement Center

Thirteen former Washington Township students were welcomed back this year as faculty and we could not be more excited to have them home! We thought you might want to learn a little more about some of these returning alumni…

LAUREN (HILL) CHRISTY

Halls she walked as a student:

Spring Mill Elementary

Northview Middle

North Central High School (’08)

Halls she is walking as a teacher: Westlane Middle School as a coding teacher.

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“When my husband and I decided to move back to Indianapolis, I could only think of one place I wanted to teach- Washington Township. I was born and raised in this district and returning to it felt like coming home. Washington Township has always been on the cutting edge of teaching & learning and I’m excited to contribute to this by offering beginning, intermediate, and advanced coding classes to our amazing students.”

ASHLEY EMERY

Halls she walked as a student:

Greenbriar Elementary

Westlane Middle

North Central High School (’04)

Halls she is walking as a teacher: Northview Middle School in 6th grade special education.

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“I moved from Texas in the third grade, and started school at Greenbriar Elementary. I was very shy, and worried about fitting into a new school, but the teachers were so kind and made me feel at home. My journey throughout the years is definitely one to remember, and I am so thankful for every teacher that challenged me in a different way. It feels so good to be back home in my district, and I am so excited to be back in the community. I look forward to an exciting and rewarding school year!”

EDDIE ERICKSON

Halls he walked as a student:

Eastwood Middle

J. Everett Light Career Center

North Central High School (’03)

Halls he is walking as a teacher: J. Everett Light Career Center in the Veterinary Assisting Program.

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Favorite Quote: “the only place were Success comes before Work is in the Dictionary” -Vince Lombardi

MELODY HOWARD

Halls she walked as a student:

Spring Mill Elementary

Northview Middle

North Central High School (’88)

Halls she is walking as a teacher: Northview Middle School teaching 6th grade Language and Literature.

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“As a child, I remember riding my bike to Fox Hill Acres housing edition to visit friends. Dr. Rudolph Wilson (former principal of NVMS) lived in the neighborhood and sometimes he would be outside tending to his yard or checking his mail and he would always talk to us. I will never forget how he took the time to speak to us and ask how we were doing. Those few moments he took spoke volumes into my life that he cared and that kids mattered to him. I have lived in three other cities and nothing feels like Indianapolis. After two major surgeries and a divorce, I decided that I wanted to finish living my life where I am most comfortable-my native home of Indianapolis. Now that my only child is in college, I am humbled that I am allowed to be a part of so many young lives every day, in the city and at one of the schools I love.”

ANNALISE PETRANOFF

Halls she walked as a student:

Northview Middle

North Central High School (’07)

Halls she is walking as a teacher: Westlane Middle School as a Spanish Teacher.

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“I am excited to be returning to Washington Township as a teacher because I received an amazing education from the school district and I am looking forward to providing the same for future students.”

ALLIE ROGERS

Halls she walked as a student:

North Central High School (’12)

Halls she is walking as a teacher: Eastwood Middle School as a 7th grade Science Teacher.

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“My time at North Central truly shaped me into the person I am today. I learned how to respect and value others, to work hard, and to take responsibility for my own education. I was able to form lifelong friendships with my peers, teammates, coaches, and teachers. I also learned valuable lessons from all the extracurriculars I was able to take part in. Ever since my time at NC, I’ve wanted to give back to the township that gave me so much and I can’t think of a better way to do that than to teach the students that are now a part of Washington Township.”

PATRICK DOSS

Halls he walked as a student:

North Central High School (’13)

Halls he is walking as a teacher: Music-Sound Production satellite program for the JEL

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“Being able to come back to the district that inspired me to follow my dreams and help other students reach theirs is a truly remarkable experience!”

KRISTIN ENNIS

Halls she walked as a student:

John Strange Elementary

Eastwood Middle

North Central High School (’08)

Halls she is walking as a teacher: Greenbriar Elementary School teaching 5th grade.

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“I’ve had the opportunity to not only explore different schooling systems (public and private) as well as the world, but I am home in Washington Township and this is where I belong”

BRENDA PENALOZA FLORES

Halls she walked as a student:

Fox Hill Elementary

Westlane Middle

North Central High School (’14)
*2014 recipient of the Leatherman Family Scholarship

Halls she is walking as a teacher: Crooked Creek teaching 4th grade.

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“When I began my educational journey at Fox Hill Elementary I was seven years old and I did not know English. It was difficult for me to feel included in a culture that was different than mine. Despite all the differences, my amazing teachers knew what to do to make me feel like I belong here. Throughout my journey as a Washington Township student, I had wonderful teachers who guided me, were patient with me, and nurtured me into the teacher I am today. My dream of becoming an educator started at a very young age. I wanted to provide students the same support and guidance I received as a student in Washington Township. While I was working towards my degree from IUPUI, I worked at North Central as an Instructional Assistant, a Learning Center tutor, and as an AVID tutor. These experiences allowed me to admire the way teachers in Washington Township appreciate and support each other and I knew this is where I wanted to teach. As an educator in the district now, I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with amazing educators. Washington Township has given me incredible opportunities. Washington Township will always be home.”

ALEXANDER LANTZ

Halls he walked as a student:

Allisonville Elementary

Eastwood Middle

North Central High School (’11)

Halls he is walking as a teacher: North Central Biology Teacher.

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“I feel blessed to this day to have grown up in Washington Township. My experiences here as a student allowed me to interact with people from many different backgrounds and feel confident in diverse social situations. I am looking forward to continuing the trend of shaping knowledgeable, productive members of society. My favorite memory here as a student was baseball’s 2010 first round sectional victory over Warren High School. Down 2 runs in the 7th, we came back and won on a walk off homerun by Joe Trennepohl and dog-piled on the field. It will be something I remember for the rest of my life!”

CAROLINE RANFT

Halls she walked as a student:

North Central High School (’14)

Halls she is walking as a teacher: Westlane Middle School as a 6th grade Language and Literature teacher.

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“I moved into Washington Township at the start of high school because I was having social troubles at the private middle school I had attended. When my parents saw how Washington Township was helping me grow as an individual, they switched my younger sister to Westlane. Her positive experiences at Westlane were the reason I chose to begin my teaching career as a Wildcat!”

ALEXANDER STOWERS

Halls he walked as a student:

Crooked Creek Elementary

Westlane Middle

North Central High School (’11)

Halls he is walking as a teacher: North Central High School as an Algebra Teacher.

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Favorite Quote:” If you think you’re beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t. If you’d like to win but think you can’t, its almost a cinch that you won’t. For out in this world you’ll find, success begins with a fellows will, it’s all a state of mind.” -Walter D. Wintle