Gaye Lindsley

About Gaye:

Valparaiso resident with two children and two grandchildren.

Bachelor's degree in elementary education from Purdue University North Central.

Master's degree in education and administrative license through Indiana Wesleyan.

Employed by Portage Township Schools for seven years.

Accomplishments: Gaye Lindsley is principal at Central Elementary School. This is her first year in administration she was a fifth-grade teacher for six years. "It's going great. It's a challenging job and a lot of different areas to be responsible for. It's fun," she said. Lindsley is responsible for curriculum, making sure it's focused on state standards for students to do their academic best. She supports teachers by providing workshops, supplies and programs they need to educate students. "It's all about the kids. That's the whole point of our being here," she said. Lindsley handles discipline redirecting students that make poor choices in their behavior along with the day to day operation of the school. "The main focus of the job is making sure we're providing a high quality standard based curriculum using best practices in the classroom and providing a safe and caring learning environment," she said. Lindsley finds interacting with students one of the best parts of the job. Her

goal is to get into classrooms more often. "I find it an awesome responsibility and privilege to be an elementary school principal," she added.

Personal heroes: "I always think of my mother and daughter when asked that question. They are very caring, intelligent individuals who always think of others first."

What I read: "I like novels, suspense novels."

Advice: "As long as we know we're doing our personal best and we're doing it with a caring heart that's all we can ask of ourselves."

Why I'm in education: "I worked in business for 25 years and quit my job and sold my house and started college when I was 48 to go into education. I have a passion for children and for helping children."

People might be surprised to know: "I started school in 1998 and this is the first year I haven't had classes." -SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com