Kathryn (Katie) Lash, Ed.S. is a former teacher, building principal and now Executive Director at the East Central Educational Service Center. With her background in elementary education, high school special education, middle school administration and now fostering district leadership collaboration, she offers a perspective that reaches each level of our PK-12 systems. When she is not working on implementing collective action in education in the region or talking shop with her husband John, she is enjoying time with her twin daughters.

First, if you have not met all the Fellows in Class V, you are missing out. What a dynamic and motivated group of people. The energy in the room is always contagious and that is a large part of what has made the experience so meaningful already.  

Applying to become a MDLF Fellow, I looked forward to the areas of study outlined: healthcare, economic development, civic participation, and….education. In other chats to date, I have learned SO much but I also felt outside of my comfort zone (that is a good thing, of course, but I recognized that I did not have the schema for the conversations that others had). That said, education is my passion. What fun to combine new learning experiences, this group of leaders and my favorite subject all in one! 

For many, this September Fellows Class took true dedication to make the trip to Evansville. My first learning experience that day was that one had better get gas in Martinsville because there are no stations on I-69 for a very long time. However, upon arrival our visit and tour of the Signature School with Bob Koch and the team was worth it. 

The day consisted of motivational speakers that spanned pre-K-20, a way to describe the learning continuum the field of education has come to emphasize frequently. From chats with Erin Kissling at Early Learning Indiana to Dr. Ronald Rochon from the University of Southern Indiana, all learners were celebrated and the challenges facing Indiana in these spaces were shared. Professionally, I find myself hearing from Dr. Katie Jenner and her team quite regularly. She has been a true inspiration to me personally and I am continually impressed by her leadership. That said, it was impactful for me to listen to her describe many of the exciting and innovative things that the department has pursued lately to a group of people that may be less familiar with the “lingo.” I really reflected how our state leaders must drive a vision by making it resonate to each stakeholder in various ways. 

The day ended with some healthy discussion about what we all had heard that day and I am so looking forward to future sessions where we will dive into these topics further.

P.S. At an entirely different event recently, I had the opportunity to introduce myself to Mitch himself. It was fun to be able to share in a brief conversation that, without being a Fellow, I likely would not have had the opportunity to engage in.