Amy Sutton is “truly blessed” to lead J.B. Stephens Elementary

Amy Sutton opens the day at J.B. Stephens Elementary School with the same words.

“I am so glad you are here,” she tells more than 400 staff and students each morning over the announcements. “You matter and you belong here.”

Friends and colleagues have come to know Sutton as one with a strong commitment to community and connections.

The words are just as meaningful today as they were on the first day of school. It’s a sense of belonging she has felt so strongly in her three years as principal of the school corporation’s largest elementary building, and she hopes to pass along that connection to others.

Friends and colleagues have come to know Sutton as one with a strong commitment to community and connections. She knows all 435 students by name, and greets them each morning as they walk in the doors. She encourages her staff to do the same.

“By the time a kiddo gets to class, they’ve been greeted by two or three adults,” Sutton said. “I tell my staff, you’re the heart and pulse of J.B. Be the champion that the kids need you to be today.”

Sutton was raised on the northwest side of Indianapolis. She taught fourth and fifth grade in Indianapolis for 10 years, and went on to earn a masters degree in school administration.

She became an assistant principal in Lebanon in 2013. Her family moved to Greenfield in 2016. Since it was important for her to work in the community she lived in, Sutton was ecstatic to receive a job offer in Greenfield in 2017 as assistant principal of Greenfield Intermediate School.

She loves the age group– kindergarten through third graders– for their eagerness to learn. 

“I served the GIS staff and families for five years,” she said. “In 2022, I joined the J.B. Stephens staff as the principal. My total years served in Greenfield-Central will be eight years at the end of this school year.”

Her son attended J.B. at the time and she wanted to make the community proud of her work. Sutton’s first year was spent learning the J.B. community, which she said was very welcoming in the transition. “Phenomenal administrators” also took her under their wing and provided professional support.

“The biggest joy so far since I have worked at J.B. is our students,” she said. “It had been five years since I had been in a building with primary elementary kids, and I had forgotten how much these students can warm your heart.  Even on my toughest days, the hugs, laughs and smiles I receive from our students make every aspect of this job worth it.”

Her son (pictured left) attended J.B. at the time and she wanted to make the community proud of her work. Sutton’s first year was spent learning the J.B. community, which she said was very welcoming in the transition.

She loves the age group– kindergarten through third graders– for their eagerness to learn. 

The last two years her staff has grown professionally, especially with reading instruction. She’s proud of their work to incorporate phonics to help k-3 children become fluent readers before they enter the intermediate level.

Walking through the halls this winter with Sutton, it’s clear she’s proud of the building and staff. Bright colors and decor make learning fun, she said. Teachers incorporate learning and movement with their lessons. A large sensory room with tactile objects and calming toys allows students who need a break from the classroom time to settle. There are even colorful stickers along the hallways of the school– pathways to hop along while walking to lunch or art class. It’s just one more way to incorporate movement and fun throughout the day.  

Members of the school’s Parent Teacher Organization say Sutton is a great communicator with parents, and even spreads the warm community vibe beyond the walls of the school.

“Ms. Sutton always has a smile on her face and greets the children any and every time she sees them,” said Meagan Hartley, secretary of the PTO. “We have seen her out in public many times and she still takes the time to talk with my kids.”

“Ms. Sutton always has a smile on her face and greets the children any and every time she sees them,” said Meagan Hartley, secretary of the PTO. “We have seen her out in public many times and she still takes the time to talk with my kids.”

PTO President Mykaela Valangeon  said she admires Sutton’s dedication to always making J.B. the best place for the students and staff. Sutton stands beside the PTO at special events throughout the school year.

“She makes it her priority for our school to be a community with open communication and involvement,” Valangeon said. “I am beyond blessed that my children have such an amazing, inspiring and involved principal that they do. My favorite thing she does is, every morning on the announcements she makes sure all the kids know they are special and they matter. To me, it’s something huge because if a kid is having a bad day, it’s the pick-me-up they might have needed.”

Sutton has become integrated into the Greenfield community: she serves on the Sister Cities of Greenfield board, and represents the school corporation through the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.

“Amy has many strengths as a principal, yet I would say her intentionality in listening to input from everyone– students, parents and staff– ensures that she understands all perspectives,” Olin said.

Greenfield-Central Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin said Sutton had great classroom teaching and administrative experience prior to taking the helm as principal, so few things in her day-to-day work surprise her. She has high expectations of herself, he said, and is committed to  continuous improvement. She sets a great example for other educators to follow.

“Amy has many strengths as a principal, yet I would say her intentionality in listening to input from everyone– students, parents and staff– ensures that she understands all perspectives,” Olin said. “Partnering that with the strong competency she has as an instructional leader, she makes really good decisions that positively impact J.B. Stephens on all levels.”

The close-knit community of teachers is evident during staff meetings, when they celebrate personal victories, and professional wins big and small.

“We enrolled a student this year who had never been in school and was very shy. She also had some communication delays,” Sutton gave as an example. “Most days she would not make conversation with others and would just shake her head ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ I remember when the teacher shared that this student was talking! Our whole staff celebrated this together.”

Sutton appreciates Greenfield-Central’s strive to incorporate Trust Based Relational Interventions to ensure educators have permission to meet the emotional needs of the students.

“What makes J.B. so special is, all the staff in our building are all in to support our kids, whether they are a teacher, an instructional assistant, a custodian, a kitchen employee, front office staff, and more,” she said. “I am truly blessed to work in an environment where all staff care so much for our kids and each other.”

By Maribeth Vaughn

“What makes J.B. so special is, all the staff in our building are all in to support our kids, whether they are a teacher, an instructional assistant, a custodian, a kitchen employee, front office staff, and more,” she said.