Indy Standard

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) employs educators with diverse backgrounds, including veterans who have served in the U.S. military. These individuals bring skills shaped by their military experiences to the classroom.

Veterans Day, observed on November 11, honors military veterans for their service. It is an opportunity to recognize the unique perspectives they bring to education, where their problem-solving abilities, adaptability, teamwork, organizational skills, and leadership make a significant impact.

Valarie Clark is the Principal at Ernie Pyle School 90 and was named the 2024 IPS Principal of the Year. She served as a transportation management coordinator in the U.S. Army for eight years during Desert Storm. After earning her bachelor's degree in elementary education from IUPUI and a master's from Indiana Wesleyan University, she completed her Principal Licensure Program there.

John Stevenson teaches computer science at Benjamin Harrison Center for Inquiry School 2. He served in the U.S. Air Force from December 1983 to July 1991 as an aircraft structural repair mechanic. After leaving the Air Force and working in various commercial airlines and repair facilities, he pursued a degree in elementary education following a layoff from United Airlines.

Jazmen Cannon is a Media Assistant and Behavioral Teacher at Robert Lee Frost School 106. She spent four years in the Marine Corps, including a tour in Afghanistan before transitioning to education with IPS.

Dr. Stanley Law serves as Principal at George Washington High School. He joined the Navy right after high school as an Information Systems Technician on the USS El Paso and later pursued education to work with underserved students.

Danielle Dickson is a Special Education Inclusion Teacher at Charity Dye School 27. She began her career with IPS in 2017 as an instructional assistant after serving two years in the U.S. Army as a Multiple Launch Rocket Systems Repair specialist.

These educators illustrate how military service can prepare individuals for careers in education by equipping them with tools that inspire future leaders through discipline, structure, teamwork, and real-world relevance.