Peggy Chambers knows that when tragic things happen, a person has choices.

The longtime Monroe County Community School Corp. administrator chooses to ask, “How can I use this to move forward, how can I learn from this and what can I contribute as a result?”

When Chambers’ older sister, MCCSC teacher Judy Richardson, died tragically in 1985, the experience helped develop Chambers’ philosophies about being an educator.

Instead of withdrawing, she became a people person, focusing on building relationships and treating people with dignity.

She spent the past 20 years working with students the age her nephew was when the tragedy happened.

The 14-year-old committed suicide bycarbon monoxide poisoning, and that poisoning also killed his parents. His was the second of three teen suicides in Ellettsville at that time.

Chambers’ father still talks about how Superintendent Jim Harvey, then the MCCSC director of personnel, treated him so well during that difficult time.

“That’s what I want people to feel when they leave my office,” Chambers said.

Chambers recently stepped into the position Harvey once held. She became assistant superintendent for human resources and personnel on July 1, after two decades at Batchelor Middle School. She filled a spot left by Pam Sklar, who took early retirement.

Teaching, learning for life

Chambers’ father used to drive her and her three siblings to the Indiana University campus, showing them where they one day would earn college degrees. He didn’t have one, and while he eventually became director of property valuation for the Indiana State Tax Board of Commissioners, he realized his career goals were limited by his education, Chambers said.

His kids were the first generation in the family to go to college, and Chambers always knew she wanted to follow in her sister’s footsteps and become a teacher. Chambers taught in Kentucky, Brown County, Tell City and Ferdinand — even at Vincennes University — over the span of 14 years.

“When I became a teacher, I truly thought that I would always be a teacher,” she said. “I absolutely love teaching.”

She pursued a job back in her native Bloomington after her sister died, and Harvey asked if she ever had considered administrating. She had been working on an administrator’s license, and she stepped into the position of assistant principal at Batchelor Middle School in 1987. In 1999, she became principal.

It wasn’t unusual for her to arrive at the school between 6:30 and 7 a.m.

“I’ve always found that there’s a lot to do,” she said.

She made a decision to continually read and expand her knowledge to make the school the best it could be, and she often brought in experts — on such topics as relational aggression — to share information with staff.

“At Batchelor, we were constantly discussing ideas about how we as a school could improve,” said Mike Daugherty, a longtime Batchelor math teacher. “Peggy very patiently created an environment where that was encouraged.”

Just as impressive was her ability to turn ideas into action plans, he said.

“I always hear about these things starting in schools a few years after we have already been doing them,” he said, citing Batchelor’s strategies for differentiated instruction, data-driven decision making, critical friends groups and positive behavioral supports.

Chambers’ vision was to create a safe place for students and staff, but she doesn’t take credit for changes. Instead, she explains that she just happened to be principal when changes occurred.

“That school wasn’t about me,” she said. “If I did anything at all, I gave (my staff) an opportunity to share what they know and what they’re capable of.”

She embraced a shared leadership model.

“She has always encouraged us to take chances and try different ideas without the fear that there would be repercussions,” said Batchelor science teacher Maureen Davidoff. “She taught me that being a leader is about collaboration, communication, making the decision that is, above all, best for students.”

For Chambers, the hardest part about leaving the school was packing up her office, which she did on a recent Saturday.

“I’m going to miss it,” she said. “I already do.”

The central administration has not yet recommended a new principal for Batchelor.

On to new things

Chambers wants MCCSC employees to “know they have a department to come to” in Human Resources, which deals with such aspects of employee relations as policies and principles, performance evaluations, training, benefits, wages and recruitment.

She plans to create a climate that’s innovative and attractive to new employees, and she will focus on retaining them. To do that, she will be getting to know them. “I think if (people) don’t fear change, they’re often suspicious of change, and I have found that what has served me well is to develop relationships,” she said. “I need to know the people who are coming into our school corporation, and they need to know me.”

Ideally, most of her time will be spent in recruitment and training initiatives, she said. She will help organize pools of candidates for positions, and she plans to invite MCCSC teachers to sit in on some screening interviews.

The Batchelor staff has no doubt she’s a good fit for the job.

“One of her greatest strengths is working with so many different people so well. She can talk to anyone, make anyone feel comfortable, and really show she’s listening to them,” said social studies teacher Lucy Papier. “I’ve seen her do it with teachers, students and parents a million times, and it never ceases to amaze me how she can so quickly put someone at ease.”

There’s one thing Chambers hasn’t figured out yet — how to make students a part of her day. “I’m sure I’ll figure out a way,” she said.

What people say:

• Dennis H. Abrams, assistant principal, Batchelor Middle School: “I have been one of Mrs. Chambers’ assistant principals for the past five years, and could not have had a better teacher, mentor and friend. She has taught me so much about leadership and working with people. She has made a good school great, and her impact on our school and community will live on in all the work she started.”

• Maureen Davidoff, Batchelor science teacher: “Peggy is tough, very intelligent and knowledgeable, she has a great sense of humor, knows how different people perform their best and above all is fair. ... With her leaving, Batchelor has suffered a huge loss, but I am extremely happy that she is in her current position; I cannot think of a better person to help lead this corporation in the direction it is currently going.”

• Lucy Papier, Batchelor social studies teacher: “Her knowledge base and experience is so great — and she knows how to hire good teachers and administrators.”

• Brenda Polley, Batchelor language arts teacher: “I had hoped she would still be principal there for years to come when I retire someday just to see what things she would find to say at my retirement roast. She is a passionate and entertaining speaker who always finds the right words to say in any situation. She is a classy lady who will be missed at Batchelor.”

• Jacki Porter, former Batchelor language arts teacher: “Peggy was the one who went to bat for me ... when I lost my father and had to miss a couple of days (without pay since I was a substitute). She took up a collection for me to help cover those lost wages, the school sent flowers. ... She gave me that first break as an aide, encouraged me to go back to school, gave me that all-important first job in the system, then worked to keep me around ever since.”

• Mike Daugherty, Batchelor math teacher: “She does not lead through fear. She would always talk about ‘our’ ideas, ‘our’ success, ‘our’ challenges. ... She is too humble to talk about her accomplishments, which are many. She will talk about what ‘we’ accomplished at Batchelor. That is how she is.”