FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ellen Rogers
Community Relations Coordinator, MSDWT
Email: errogers@msdwt.k12.in.us
Chief Academic and DEI Officer Named for Washington Township Schools
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (November 15, 2023) – Washington Township Schools is pleased to announce Dr. Nataki Pettigrew has been named as our Chief Academic and DEI Officer.
Dr. Pettigrew is a transformative educator with extensive, diverse experiences in teaching, system-level leadership, curriculum and instruction, and student services. Most recently, she has served as the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer for Hamilton Southeastern Schools, fulfilling that role since 2021. Additionally, Pettigrew spent 20 years of her career in Marion County, specifically designing academic programs and services to meet the varied needs of her students through experience as a Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Principal, High School Teacher, and Academic Team Lead. She is also a Restorative Practices Certified Trainer.
Dr. Pettigrew holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from DePauw University, and her Master of Education and Administration Certification, EdD Degree, and EdS Degree in District Leadership are all from Indiana Wesleyan University.
“After spending decades immersed in the challenges and opportunities facing our young people, I’m thrilled to join Washington Township Schools, whose vision of creating equitable, affirming, and responsive learning environments impacts every student in our care,” said Dr. Pettigrew. “I embrace the important responsibility of supporting our students as we strive to empower them to excel academically and socially and to pursue their career goals. I look forward to working alongside the talented administrators and staff of Washington Township Schools as we continue to foster high expectations of academic excellence.”
Dr. Pettigrew has received commendations for her work in the community, including twice being recognized for her remarkable contributions and achievements in education by the Center for Leadership Development (CLD). Pettigrew has a proven record of initiating and sustaining systemic change, mitigating educational inequities, and launching inclusive and equitable initiatives to support students and their families.
The Chief Academic and DEI Officer is an executive leadership position with the responsibility to lead the Teaching and Learning and Student Services Departments starting in January 2024.
Learn more about Washington Township Schools’ commitment to equitable achievement at this link: https://www.msdwt.k12.in.us/equity/.
