The Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of School Trustees on Monday, May 20, approved several principal appointments for the 2013-14 school year.
John Houser, Wayne Principal
John Houser started his career in education as an English teacher at Lake Central High School in St. John in 1984. In 1987, he joined FWCS as an English teacher at Elmhurst High School in 1987, where he stayed for 10 years before moving to Snider High School to teach English and U.S. History. In 2009, he returned to Elmhurst as an administrative intern, and a year later he became an assistant principal at South Side High School. At Wayne, he replaces Kyle Kirby.
Michael Christner, Portage Principal
Michael Christner began his education career in 2000 at Central Noble as a middle school science teacher for three years. He then spent nine years as the high school and middle school principal at Lakewood Park Christian School in Auburn. In 2012, he joined FWCS as assistant principal at Memorial Park Middle School. At Portage, he replaces Jane Rentschler.
Adam Swinford, Miami Principal
Adam Swinford joined FWCS in 1998 as a substitute teacher. In 2000, he was hired as a physical education teacher at Indian Village Elementary and a year later moved to then Geyer Middle School (now Towles Montessori). In 2005, he became the athletic director at Wayne High School. In 2008, he moved to Northwood Middle School as the assistant principal and took over as principal the following year. At Miami, he replaces Hal Stevens, who left the position earlier this school year.
Justin Arkkelin, Waynedale Principal
Justin Arkkelin joined FWCS in 2003 as a substitute teacher. He became a fifth-grade teacher at Study in 2004, where he stayed for two years before moving to Forest Park Elementary to teach fifth grade. In 2011, he became an administrative intern at Haley Elementary, and this year, he has served as the assistant principal at Harrison Hill Elementary. At Waynedale, he replaces Sara Wertman, who is moving to Brentwood Latin Grammar Academy.
Jay Peters, Indian Village Principal
Jay Peters began his career in education in 1980 at Huntington County Community Schools. He was an assistant principal in 2007 when he left Huntington to join FWCS as principal of Forest Park Elementary, his current position. At Indian Village, he replaces Stephany Bourne, who is retiring after 37 years in education.
- Efforts To Increase Recycling & Reduce Contamination - February 14, 2025
- Turnstone’s Casino Night To Feature Local Favorites - February 14, 2025
- Celebrating Our Community As Waynedale Enters 104th Year - February 14, 2025