30 Sept 2026
IASP Leadership Podcast Season 8: Episode 271 Voices from the IASP Board of Directors
In this episode of the IASP Leadership Podcast, Dr. Tiffany D. Barrett steps out of the IASP Board of Directors meeting with three board members who represent elementary, middle, and high school leadership in suburban, urban, and rural settings: Christie Heerschop of Mary Frank Elementary in Penn-Harris-Madison, Jeremy Tucker of Cornerstone Alternative School in South Bend, and Sean Fisher of North Posey High School.
Together, they talk about what leading looks like in their communities, why they believe principals across Indiana are more alike than different, and what serving on the IASP board has meant to them personally and professionally. They share how they found their way to the board, including district involvement, mentorship, and INALI, and offer honest encouragement for any principal who is thinking about stepping forward. The conversation closes with what each of them is most excited about in their buildings this fall.
If you've ever wondered what happens when the IASP board gathers, or whether one of those seats might be yours someday, this episode is for you. Lead on, Indiana!
Show Notes
Our board is intentionally built around Indiana's 12 IASP districts, with voices from elementary, middle, and high school and from suburban, urban, and rural settings. In this episode, three board members share what that looks like from their seats.
In this episode
Jeremy Tucker reflects on leading in both rural and urban settings: "The challenges may look different, but the work is remarkably similar."
Sean Fisher describes the role of a rural school at the heart of its town: "We're truly a community school. We're the community center for our area."
Christie Heerschop talks about serving several communities within a suburban corporation and sums up the conversation: "I think we are more similar than we are different."
All three explain what board service involves, from advocacy for schools across the state to networking that eases the isolation of the principalship.
On becoming a board member, the guests recommend joining IASP, getting involved at the district level, attending district meetings, and expressing interest to district leaders or to IASP directly. Jeremy's reminder: "You don't have to have all the answers to be a board member."
Christie invites more elementary leaders to attend district meetings and consider board service.
This fall, Christie is looking forward to Mustangs Give Back, a student leadership program where fourth and fifth graders take on community-based projects. Sean is launching the Viking Incentive Program at North Posey. Jeremy is preparing to welcome the first students to Cornerstone Alternative School in South Bend.
Interested in board service?
Join IASP, connect with your district, and reach out to IASP staff to express your interest. [Insert contact or link.]
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the IASP Leadership Podcast
00:44 Three board members join from the IASP board meeting
01:19 Meet Christie Heerschop, Sean Fisher, and Jeremy Tucker
02:17 How the IASP board is built: 12 districts, every level, every setting
02:43 Jeremy on leading in an urban setting
03:29 Sean on the rural school as community center
04:09 Christie on the suburban experience
04:59 What IASP board members actually do
05:47 Sean on INALI, mentorship, and finding his way to the board
06:42 Tiffany on board service before joining the IASP staff
07:03 What board service has meant to each guest
09:26 How to become an IASP board member
11:16 Christie's invitation to elementary leaders
11:48 What they're looking forward to in their buildings this fall
14:21 One thing every listener should know about IASP
15:25 Thank you and closing
