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Recommendations for Asst. Superintendent and Dir. of Professional Development

Dr. Jerry Thacker is proud and delighted that the Board of School Trustees appointed Dr. Heather Short this week to succeed him as superintendent upon his retirement.

From Dr. Heather Short:

As the incoming Superintendent, I am thrilled to recommend Dr. Lavon Dean-Null to succeed me as the next Assistant Superintendent for Instruction.

In addition, I am also recommending Dr. Mindy Higginson as the next Director of Professional Development and Student Learning.

Dr. Thacker will present these recommendations to the School Board for approval at the June 23rd Meeting.

Dr. Dean-Null began her educational career as a teacher at Discovery after graduating from Bethel University. Dr. Dean-Null taught at Discovery for 10 years. During that time she took a sabbatical and taught in Ansan, South Korea for a year. While at Discovery, Dr. Dean-Null became a top finalist for the Indiana Teacher of the Year award. With a master’s degree in educational leadership from Indiana University and a Ph.D. from Purdue University, she served as assistant principal of Grissom, principal of Walt Disney, followed by principal of Schmucker before becoming Director of Professional Development and Student Learning. Dr. Dean-Null has a passion for leadership development and has coordinated educational programs abroad for over a decade and presented at educational forums worldwide. She is currently enrolled in Learning Forward’s national Academy and will graduate in June of 2026. Lavon’s commitment to education extends beyond her district role; she shares her expertise at state and national conferences. She is always striving to foster communities of high-achieving learners through continuous growth initiatives, and will be the perfect fit for the next Assistant Superintendent of P-H-M.

Dr. Higginson has spent the last two years as principal of Walt Disney Elementary School and has strengthened student and staff learning through multiple avenues, including being selected to participate in the Indiana Department of Education’s noteworthy “Get Your Teach On” program. She was most recently honored as Indiana’s District II Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals and holds her Ph.D. from Purdue University in educational leadership. Before coming to Penn-Harris-Madison, she served as the District Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction and as an elementary principal at Elkhart Community Schools. She also served at both the elementary and middle school levels in the South Bend Community School Corporation. She will bring a wealth of assets to her new role at Central Office.

Dr. Heather Short Approved as New Superintendent

In a special meeting held Tuesday, May 27, the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees unanimously (7-0) approved the appointment of Dr. Heather Short as the district’s next superintendent effective July 1, 2025.

Nearly 50 P-H-M teachers, administrators, staff, family and friends showed up to express their overwhelming support of Dr. Short’s appointment.

Dr. Heather Short Approved as New Superintendent

Dr. Heather Short & Dr. Katie Jenner — *Dr. Short with IDOE Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner*

Dr. Short, a lifelong educator who has dedicated her entire 31-year career to P-H-M, will succeed Dr. Jerry Thacker, who is retiring after 19 years of transformative leadership. Dr. Short has served as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction since 2017. During her tenure, P-H-M students have experienced consistent academic growth and achievement.

“I am deeply honored by the Board’s confidence and grateful to Dr. Thacker for his mentorship throughout my career,” said Dr. Short. “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to grow as a leader within this incredible district. I’m excited to continue working alongside our talented staff, dedicated families, and exceptional students to expand opportunities and ensure every child thrives.”

Under Dr. Short’s leadership, P-H-M ranks in the top 4% of Indiana districts based on ILEARN scores. The district also outpaces the state average by 20 percentage points in overall percent passing rates.

“There is no one better—or more qualified—to lead P-H-M’s continued path of academic excellence than Dr. Short,” said Chris Riley, President of the Board of School Trustees. “Her academic expertise and visionary leadership in developing rigorous, relevant curriculum have been key to our students’ success. Dr. Short was the Board’s clear and unanimous choice for superintendent.”

*Dr. Heather Short with students (2016)*

P-H-M is home to some of Indiana’s highest-performing public schools in both English/Language Arts and Math. Prairie Vista Elementary ranks #3 in the state, while Discovery Middle School ranks #2. In Spring 2024, P-H-M’s IREAD pass rate was 86.8%, surpassing the state average of 82.5%. Three P-H-M elementary schools—Prairie Vista (97.7%), Northpoint (95%), and Horizon (95.3%)—achieved pass rates above 90%.

Included in her district-wide academic strategy was a robust Response to Intervention (RtI) program and expanded summer offerings that support both enrichment and remediation.

Dr. Short’s leadership journey reflects deep roots and unwavering commitment to P-H-M. She began her career as a classroom teacher before serving as an Instructional Leader and High Ability Coordinator. Click here to learn how Dr. Short and Board Trustee Katie Bell’s paths crossed when Dr. Short was a 3rd grade teacher at Northpoint. In 2004, she became principal of Prairie Vista Elementary. Recognizing her talent for professional growth and instructional excellence, Dr. Thacker appointed her in 2007 as P-H-M’s first Director of Professional Development—a role she held for a decade before being named Assistant Superintendent.

Throughout her career, Dr. Short has been deeply committed to developing others. She co-created a nationally recognized leadership development program designed to build internal capacity among P-H-M educators and administrators. Her strategic focus on professional development has empowered teachers at every level—from new educators to veteran principals—through initiatives like the annual Literacy Summit and the New Teacher Series.

Dr. Heather Short Approved Dr. Heather Short Approved as New Superintendent

As Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Short has combined her instructional leadership with strong fiscal stewardship. She has overseen the management of multimillion-dollar budgets and successfully secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in state grants—investments that have directly enhanced classroom instruction, expanded student programs, and strengthened districtwide operations.

“Dr. Short possesses one of the most valuable qualities a leader can have: the ability to build genuine relationships,” said Dr. Thacker. “She makes personal connections with teachers, principals, staff, families—and most importantly, students. She understands the P-H-M culture because she helped build it. There is no one more fitting to serve as the next superintendent.”

After the Board approved Dr. Short as the district’s new leader, Board members shared well wishes and comments. Trustee Katie Bell (elected in November 2024) talked about how things have come full circle for her as a former student of Dr. Short’s when she taught 3rd grade gifted and talented students at Northpoint. The two were actually featured in an article that ran in the South Bend Tribune in March 2003. The article featured Dr. Short teaching her students how to use PowerPoint for their Geography reports on Asia. Click here to read the original story.

Heather Short 2003 SB Tribune news article picture

Dr. Heather Short Approved as New Superintendent — *Katie Bell as kindergarten teacher at Prairie Vista (2016)*

Fast forward to 2013 to when Dr. Short was P-H-M’s Director of Professional Development, she interviewed Bell for a teaching position. Bell was hired as a kindergarten teacher in 2016 at Prairie Vista Elementary School and Dr. Short led the professional development for all new teachers.

“Dr. Short and I are a testament that it’s never goodbye, it’s always see you later,” Bell said. “And I think that shows the true impact of a teacher, that they are in your lives forever, and that you will always remember them.”

Media Coverage

2025 Running is Elementary Results & Photo Gallery

The annual one mile run for P-H-M fourth and fifth graders is held at Penn’s Cross-country course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School. The race is sponsored by P-H-M’s Education Foundation,

This event encourages fitness, healthy choices and wellness. Fourth and fifth graders, from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each school are then tasked with training the runners for the 6-week club which then culminates with the Running is Elementary one mile race.