Dr. Denita Harris (pictured left) and Dr. Elizabeth Walters will join MSD of Wayne Township Superintendent Jeff Butts’ cabinet beginning in July.
Dr. Harris will assume the newly created position of Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the district. Dr. Walters will become the district’s new Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools, replacing John Taylor when he retires at the end of June.
Dr. Harris came to MSD Wayne in 2003 from Indianapolis Public Schools as a literacy coach to begin her administrative career as assistant principal at Ben Davis Junior High and later Chapel Hill 7th & 8th Grade Center. In 2011, she moved into the position of curriculum coordinator, overseeing the district equity team; language assistance program; Title III; the AVID program; English, science, social studies, PreK-12 English language development curriculum; and elective courses.
Dr. Harris has presented on various topics throughout her tenure in the areas of equity and English language instruction. Most recently, she presented at the eighth annual Ohio Deans Compact Statewide Conference as the keynote speaker on the topic, “Becoming Antiracist Teachers and Teacher Educators.” She has also published several articles including “Nine mistakes educators make when teaching English-language learners” and “The White voice, experience, and interest dominate education” in Education Week.
Dr. Harris earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education/English from Indiana University-Bloomington. She completed her master’s degree and administrative license at Butler University and earned her doctoral degree from Purdue University.
Dr. Elizabeth Walters began her career as an English teacher at Southport High School in Perry Township. She then became dean of students and later, assistant principal at Southport High School. For the last six years she has served as principal of Beech Grove High School.
Dr. Walters has presented on various topics, including “Cognitive Coaching in Professional Development Conversations” at the Indiana New Administrators Leadership Institute; “Increasing Academic Success by Meeting the Social and Emotional Learning Needs of All Students at the High School Level” at the AdvancED Indiana Fall Conference; and “Using Data Efficiently and Effectively” at the Indiana New Administrators Leadership Institute. She has also served as an active voice at the state level in the area of graduation pathways.
Dr. Walters earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education/English from Yale University. She completed her first master’s degree in educational leadership and attained her administrative license at Indiana University-Bloomington. She completed her second master’s degree in strategic management at the Kelley School of Business at IU. She earned her doctoral degree in educational leadership, also from Indiana University.
Judy Stegemann, MSD Wayne’s Assistant Superintendent for Academics, will change roles this summer, assuming the position of Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools. She will replace Cheri O’Day Marcotte, who is retiring at the end of June. At that time, the position of Assistant Superintendent for Academics will be eliminated.
ABOUT THE MSD OF WAYNE TOWNSHIP
The Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township provides multiple pathways to success for more than 16,000 students, preschool through high school. Located on the west side of Indianapolis, MSD Wayne works in partnership with the Wayne Township community to help every learner achieve excellence. To learn more about MSD Wayne, visit www.wayne.k12.in.us, or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/msdwaynetownship/ and Twitter @WayneTwpSchools and @WayneTwpSuper.
