Next school principal named

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BROWNSTOWN

Brownstown Elementary School’s new principal is no stranger to education.

Chrystal Street has worked at four different schools, holding a variety of titles and responsibilities.

She expects that experience to help as she begins her new role July 1.

“I’m looking forward to every aspect of it, to be quite honest,” said Street, 45. “It’s something new and exciting for me. I get to learn along the way, as well. We always tell kids to be lifelong learners, and I feel like I’m a lifelong learner, as well. So just getting in there and digging in, I’m looking forward to it all. I’m very grateful for the opportunity. I feel like I’m a really blessed person.”

The Brownstown Central Community School Corp. school board approved Street’s hiring during its May meeting. She received a two-year contract with an annual salary of $88,000.

Street was one of 27 applicants for the job, Superintendent Greg Walker said. A committee consisting of Walker, a couple of school board members and some elementary staff initially interviewed 11 people before narrowing the field to three and ultimately choosing Street.

“We felt like her vast experience that she has in a range of areas was very attractive to us,” Walker said. “She’s gung-ho, and she’s ready to hit the ground running. That’s a large building, so with her leadership experience, I think she’ll really kind of help out down there.”

Street, a 1989 Crothersville High School graduate, earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degree in educational leadership from Indiana University Southeast. She later earned her educational specialist degree and director of curriculum and instruction degree from Indiana State University. She’s now working on her Ph.D. in educational leadership through ISU.

Street’s first job in education was serving as an aide with the Title I program in Scott County. She then worked in Columbus for a few years at ABC-Stewart School and helped start the K-1 classroom, where kindergartners and first-graders were placed together.

She then spent 14 years with Crothersville Community School Corp. During her tenure, she was a classroom teacher, a testing coordinator, a curriculum director, a class sponsor and a coach of elementary volleyball and high school cheerleading. She also took a one-year sabbatical to go to Five-Star Technology Solutions as director of integration services.

Since the 2014-15 school year, she has served as principal of Medora Community School Corp., the second-smallest public school corporation in the state.

That was Street’s first administrative title during her career in education. Up to that point, she said, pursuing a job in administration hadn’t been a goal.

“The way I am, I just kind of set goals for myself, and once I taught for a while, the next natural phase for me was to go into administration,” she said. “Education, I just love everything about it. I love the people, I love what we can do for kids and I love seeing what kids can do. Administration wasn’t really my target when I started, but I am so glad that I’m doing it because I love it.”

In February, Street heard about the Brownstown Elementary School principal job opening and decided to apply.

“I applied at Brownstown Elementary because it is well known that it is a great school in the county,” she said. “People in the community speak highly of the school and the district, and I felt that it would be a great place to work.”

After two interviews, time passed until she received a call from Walker a day before the school board meeting offering her the job.

“I’ve been on pins and needles for days,” she said, smiling. “I’m thrilled to be a part of Brownstown Central Community School Corp. I’m still in shock, but everybody has been super nice, so I’m looking forward to it.”

During the recent school board meeting, she met outgoing Principal Tom McCool for the first time. He is going back into the classroom as a teacher at the school after spending the past 16 years as an administrator.

Street said the biggest adjustment will be going from overseeing 230 students in kindergarten through 12th grade at Medora to 700 students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Brownstown.

“Moving to Brownstown Elementary will allow me to focus on only the elementary, which was my major in college,” she said.

Street said the first priority will be to make the transition from Medora to Brownstown as smooth as possible for all staff and students.

“I will then focus on meeting people and making plans to work on district and school goals,” she said. “In addition, there will be a great time learning about the climate and culture of the building.”

Street said she is honored to have been chosen for the position and is excited about working with the school board, staff and students.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the teachers because I know they are excited and passionate about what they do in education, so I’m looking forward to supporting them in whatever they need to support the kids,” she said. “Of course, without a doubt, the kids are why I’m in education, and I can’t wait to get in there and work with them, as well.”

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Name: Chrystal Street

Age: 45

Hometown: Crothersville

Residence: Crothersville

Education: Crothersville High School (1989); Indiana University Southeast (bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degree in educational leadership); Indiana State University (educational specialist degree and director of curriculum and instruction degree and currently working on Ph.D. in educational leadership)

Occupation: Recently named the new principal at Brownstown Elementary School; will start in that position July 1

Family: Husband, Brian Street; son, Corey Street; daughter, Kennedy Street

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