Name: Jill Mires
Position: Assistant Superintendent
Where are you from? Madison, Indiana
What has been your experience in education? I taught at the elementary level for 20 years. I was a principal at the elementary level for 8 years and at the middle school level for 7 years. I also was in charge of curriculum part-time for 4 and a half years. I teach reading and social studies methods at Hanover College. I’m hoping to build a partnership between Hanover and Salem.
What are you looking forward to in the new school year? I am really looking forward to working with teachers and administration. I’m excited to be around the kids, too, and get to know everyone! I’m ready to find out what is working well at Salem, as well as what gaps we have and how I can help fill those.
What will you be doing in your new position? I will focus on curriculum, instructruction, assessment and grants. I want to push grants and apply for everything we are eligible to apply for and then use the money in ways that will be most impactful for our corporation. One grant that is really exciting that I applied for is the Stronger Connections grant. I wrote ours for $285,000 and it includes social emotional training, programming and more. I’ve also written a special education grant that focuses on paraprofessionals. Sometimes that group is looking for training and they don’t have the money, time, etc. This would be for all paraprofessionals, which would have an impact on all kids.
What has been your impression of Salem so far? Everyone is very friendly. There is a lot of pride. Everyone I have talked to wants to tell me the history and how things have progressed. Everyone is very proud. And the ladies in the main office have been fabulous. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know Ed Jordan, the new transportation director. That is something that was really needed and he is so excited about it. He’s doing a great job!
What has been your focus this first week on the job? I have spoken with all principals. We need more time to set our goals. At the elementary school, our focus will be on the science of reading and interventions. At the middle school, the new standards coming out are going to be a big one. There are new expectations at the middle school level that have been pushed to them and we will make sure that is being addressed. At the high school, Mr. Albert and I have talked about the depth of knowledge and questioning in learning. We have also focused on special education at all three buildings. I really want to work closely with the administrators. They are excited about the partnership and collaboration.
I also absolutely love going to sporting events and I’m a big fine arts person, so I am ready for the seasons to start! I’m so excited for our new band and choir teachers, as well!
What else would you like the community to know about you? I have two daughters. One is 29 years old and is a speech pathologist. She is the mother of my first granddaughter and I have an awesome son-in-law! My youngest daughter is 18 years old. She graduated last year and is heading to New York City to study dance at AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy), so I’m going to be an empty nester!
I also own Mires School of Dance in Madison where I have taught dance classes for more than 20 years.