Lindsay Amstutz’s journey as a principal began as a high school and middle school social studies teacher, juggling her teaching responsibilities and coaching duties for the volleyball and basketball teams. While passionate about her work in the classroom, Amstutz recognized a growing interest in leading and influencing the broader school environment.

“I was always involved in committees and leadership teams, and I realized that I enjoyed leading adults and was particularly interested in fostering a positive school climate and culture,” Amstutz said.

This realization led Amstutz to pursue a master’s degree in education, which then “just made sense,” to start a career in administration, Amstutz said.

Amstutz graduated with her Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision from Ball State University in 2011. She is a principal at Northcrest Elementary and previously served at Fairfield Elementary School from 2012 to 2020.

Mentorship at Ball State

Amstutz acknowledges the invaluable guidance of Dr. Michael Shaffer, a former principal at Fort Wayne Community Schools, where she completed her internship for her Ball State courses. Shaffer encouraged her to pursue an assistant principal position.

“Lindsay is pure dynamite when it comes to school leadership. After working with me as an exceptional assistant principal, Lindsay became a principal in literally the toughest elementary school in that urban school district. Within a short time, she had led that school from failing to an A score,” Shaffer said.

Amstutz said she was hesitant to apply for the assistant principal position, but Shaffer’s encouragement was “instrumental” in her decision.

“Lindsay is literally the best elementary principal I know, and she excels in challenging areas,” Shaffer said.

Motivation and Challenges

While most educators would say the students keep them motivated, Amstutz emphasized the crucial role of supporting in today’s challenging educational landscape.

“The current climate presents numerous obstacles, with ever-changing legislation and limited funding,” Amstutz explained. “It’s crucial to ensure teachers have the resources and support they need to thrive and provide the best possible education for our students.”

Building a Positive School Culture

Amstutz prioritizes creating a positive and supportive environment for staff and students at Northcrest Elementary.

“I believe that when teachers enjoy coming to work, they are more likely to give their best,” Amstutz said. “I had 100 percent of my staff return, which was the only school of 50 in our district that had that.”

While opportunities have arisen for Amstutz to pursue roles in central office administration, she remains committed to serving as a building-level principal.

“It’s challenging, but I do think it’s the most rewarding,” Amstutz said.