Ashley Stahl thought she would be in the classroom teaching the alphabet and counting to 10 with kindergartners for the rest of her life. Now, through education and encouragement of others she has the opportunity to make a larger impact as Seymour-Redding Elementary School principal in the fall.

With current principal, Aaron Floyd taking up the mantle as Seymour High School assistant principal at the beginning of the next school year, this left an opportunity for Stahl to take the reins.

Seymour Community School Corp. Superintendent Brandon Harpe said during a recent school board meeting that through many interviews Stahl proved to be the right fit for the position.

“She does a good job and we are happy to have her on the team,” he said.

Stahl is a lifelong resident of Jackson County and graduated from Indiana University Southeast with a Bachelors of Science in elementary education in 2013. She was hired two weeks into the school year when Redding had too many kindergarteners and created another classroom.

“It was overwhelming just for the fact that you are brand new stepping into a classroom and questioning if you are doing everything right, but, of course, with kindergarteners you get the hugs no matter what,” she said. “I knew right away this is what I was meant to do.”

Stahl spent four years in that role and eventually was approached by former principal, Dylan Purlee, to think about pursuing a Masters Degree in educational leadership.

So, that’s exactly what she did, but she wasn’t going solo.

“I reached out to a friend from college who graduated with me and convinced her into going back to get our master’s degrees together and started that work in 2016,” she said.

At the end of the 2015-16 school year, an instructional coach position became available at Redding and Stahl served that role for three years while graduating with her Masters degree from Indiana State in 2018.

Stahl also received an English Language Learner Endorsement from Indiana Southeast in 2021.

Stahl took her first administration position as assistant principal at Seymour Intermediate School during the 2020-21 school year during the height of COVID-19.

“We had not been in school since March with students going into a new building and I was learning the ropes of a new role,” she said. “We had to redo everything.”

With unlikely circumstances, Stahl said it was a welcomed learning experience as she learned the ins-and-outs of the building in the new position all while having students walk the hallways again.

At the end of that school year, the assistant principal position at Redding Elementary became available when Steve Bush transferred to Seymour High School and Floyd assumed principal.

“I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go back to Redding and be back in the elementary world, so I applied for that position and I have been the assistant principal at Redding since the 2021-22 school year,” she said.

When she’s not walking the halls or high-fiving students on their way back from recess, Stahl enjoys running, golfing and camping. Also, spending time with her husband Bryan and her children Hannah, Evan and Avery. Along with having two sisters in the education field their families often spend time together during school breaks.

Stahl said as principal she places importance on commitment.

“I will continue to bring commitment to our students by creating a learning environment where all students feel valued and can thrive and grow academically, socially and emotionally; our staff by investing in them personally and investing in their growth and development professionally; and our community members by building strong partnerships through open communication and involvement at Redding,” she said.

Serving as the principal in the fall, Stahl said she will continue to build on the many already successful areas at Redding.

“We are in our initial year of implementation of science of reading and will continue that implementation next year, which will be one of my primary focuses,” she said. “Another area of focus will be continuous growth and development of our staff through professional learning communities and professional development where staff have an opportunity to collaborate and learn together. I will also focus on using data to make instructional decisions and set building wide goals.”

With her various positions with the Seymour Community School Corporation, Stahl said she feels confident taking on the role as principal through the support and mentorship around her.

“I would like to say that during the last four years as an assistant principal that I have ‘seen it all’ however, I know that is far from the truth and there will continue to be opportunities that will help me grow and learn as an administrator,” she said. “I would not be more ready to take on the position without the guidance I have received from the current principal Mr. Floyd.”

Stahl said the trusting relationships she has built over the years has not only prepared her for the position, but is something that she cherishes deeply.

“When you are on a team you are connecting with those team members not just on a professional level, but a personal level as well,” she said. “I think that is so important as an administrator is that they know you care.”

Stahl said many people throughout her career have inspired her ever since she stepped foot in the classroom that she would like to thank.

Stahl said Purlee recognized her potential and encouraged her to further her education. Bush and Floyd trusted her with a new position which gave her a look into educational leadership. Loriann Wessel took a chance with her as a new assistant principal during a challenging era. Finally, Floyd who welcomed her back to where she first started and has prepared her for this next phase of her career.

Stahl also thanks the school corporation’s board of trustees and Harpe for the opportunity to serve the students, staff and families at Redding Elementary in the fall.

“I couldn’t be more excited to lead Redding Elementary and continue our mission of making Redding a place where students enjoy learning and adults enjoy working.”