A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Stacey Schmidt

As the superintendent of the Porter Township School Corporation, Stacey Schmidt knows that providing a quality education involves much more than organizing budgets and managing the buildings. It means having a vision that will ensure that every decision made aligns with what is best for the children in her district.

“I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Growing up in a large, diverse city gave me the opportunity to experience people from many different backgrounds and perspectives. Those early experiences shaped how I view public education,” Schmidt said, “Not just as a place where students learn academics, but as a place where every child deserves opportunities, encouragement, and someone who believes in them no matter where they live. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career and continue to influence how I approach leadership today.”

Education is a profession that runs in Schmidt’s family. Her father was an English teacher within the Milwaukee public school system before serving as an assistant principal, principal, and eventually central office administrator. Growing up surrounded by educators, including her father, instilled within her the passion for learning and, eventually, for teaching.

In high school, Schmidt became a peer tutor. It was in this role that she discovered how much she enjoyed helping others learn, and she felt how rewarding it was to contribute to the knowledge others could gain at school. 

At Olivet Nazarene University, Schmidt earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education with a minor in Spanish. After beginning her career in education, she continued her own academic pursuits at Purdue University, where she earned both her Master’s degree and her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership.

“I work closely with our Board of School Trustees, administrators, teachers, staff, and families to create opportunities that allow every student to succeed,” Schmidt said. “That includes overseeing education and operations. More importantly, it means building relationships, developing leaders, coaching others, and creating a culture where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their very best work.”

Her role in administration still feels as rewarding as if she were leading each classroom herself. While she may not be doing the job of taking attendance or developing lesson plans, she is still hands-on in her position to make sure that every student feels seen and cared for, and every teacher feels supported.

“I believe leadership is about serving others. My goal is not simply to manage a school corporation, but to help people grow, remove barriers that stand in their way, and create an environment where students and adults can thrive,” Schmidt said.

As superintendent, Schmidt continues to set goals for herself and aims to achieve them by listening to the needs of her staff and students.

“Education is constantly changing, and I believe leaders should never stop growing,” Schmidt said. “I intentionally seek opportunities to learn from other educators, read widely, and challenge my own thinking. At the same time, I believe one of the greatest responsibilities of a leader is helping others become leaders themselves.”

Schmidt hopes that every child that walks the halls of Porter Township schools will feel that they matter. She hopes that they feel challenged in the classroom, but also supported, encouraged, and inspired to become lifelong learners. While academics are certainly a priority, she also wants every child to have opportunities that match their interests, talents, and future aspirations.

“Being a part of the Wolf Pack means being a part of something bigger than yourself,” Schmidt said. “It’s a community built on relationships, respect, service, and pride. My hope is that when students walk across the graduation stage, they leave prepared not only for their next step, but also ready to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”

Schmidt has had the opportunity to make positive changes in her role that have improved the quality of the schools for students, families, and educators. She has countless moments in her career so far that she can look at with pride and know that she is confident in the place she has chosen to devote herself. Still, some moments stand out just a little more than others.

“I have been president of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, serve on the Governing Board of American Association of School Administrators, and have served on numerous local non-profit boards,” Schmidt said. “My favorite moment was being invited to the White House along with just over 100 other superintendents across the nation as part of the ConnectED superintendent’s summit.”

This opportunity, while impactful and momentous, also reminds her of the need to find rest where she can. Schmidt enjoys a number of activities outside of work that help her recharge, such as spending time with her family, reading, and being in nature.

While Schmidt knows her hard work and vision have been a key part of shaping the success of Porter Township Schools, she also knows that no one succeeds alone. She believes it was her parents who laid the foundation for her, with her father showing her the ins and outs of public education, and her mother as a steadfast show of support and faith when some moments became challenging.

For any educators just beginning their careers, Schmidt encourages those people to stay true to why they got into teaching in the first place.

“Always remember why you chose this profession. Keep students at the center of every decision you make. Content is important, but relationships change lives. Every student needs at least one adult who believes in them, encourages them, and refuses to give up on them. For some students, you may be that person. Continue learning, remain curious, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to seek advice from experienced educators. Teaching is challenging work, but it is also incredibly meaningful. Never underestimate the difference you make in the life of a child,” Schmidt said.

As for students, Schmidt has seen her share of children from all backgrounds and with any variety of aspirations. She hopes they all remember to find out how they like to learn, to have interests and passions, and to stay curious. She believes students should feel free to ask questions and to advocate for themselves, and even if they learn differently for the student next to them, they can still have the same opportunities as long as they don’t give up on themselves. Building relationships is something that Schmidt strongly believes will encourage all students to stay committed to being the best possible version of themselves.

Schmidt loves what she does, and her passion shows in every minute she spends in meetings, on calls, or speaking directly with teachers, students, and families to understand their needs. She’s focused on finding solutions that will produce the best possible outcomes for all involved.

“Above all, I never want to lose sight of why I chose this profession in the first place — the students,” Schmidt said. “Every decision we make should ultimately answer one question: Is this the right decision to help our students?”