When walking around campus, Mark Gordon, 52, can be easily identified by the faded purple and gold hat with Defiance College’s logo that he wears.The Fort Wayne Urban League has hired an Indianapolis educator to lead its charter school slated to open this fall.
Nicole N. Chisley, who has served as principal at Pacers Academy High School in MSD Pike Township since 2008, will be the new leader at Thurgood Marshall Leadership Academy, board members announced Monday.
Chisley oversaw curriculum, instruction, staff evaluation, hiring and firing and community interactions during her time at Pacers Academy High School, an academy set within a traditional high school aimed at helping students who needed help making up lost high school credits.
“This woman sounds like she is exactly what we need,” said board president Will Clark. “She is an education leader and an administrator. With her, we can be sure that everyone in the building will know exactly what their job is.”
In December, the Indiana Charter School Board approved the creation of the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Academy, a social justice-themed school overseen by the Fort Wayne Urban League and run by American Quality Schools Corp (AQS).
The urban prep charter school is slated to open in the Zion Lutheran Academy building, 2313 Hanna St., though a lease has not yet been signed. The group hopes the school will enroll about 225 students in grades kindergarten through eight.
Chisley was one of two candidates presented to the board by AQS.
Board members interviewed the candidates and took a vote on their preference, though the final say was left to the management company.
The Urban League is holding an education and employment open house Wednesday for students and parents to meet Chisley and learn more about the school.
Teachers and others interested in working at the school are also invited to attend and bring a resume and list of references.
Before leading Pacers Academy High School, Chisley served as assistant principal at Pike High School within MSD Pike Township and as assistant principal at George Washington Community High School within Indianapolis Public Schools.
Chisley also taught at Meridian Middle School and at New Augusta Public Academy.
Chisley, who speaks Spanish, received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education and social studies from Indiana University and a master’s degree in kindergarten through 12 administration and supervision from Butler University.
“She’s ready to roll her sleeves up and get her hands dirty,” said Urban League CEO Jonathan Ray. “She is going to be fully engaged in the educational path for the school.”
