Leading the Way - November 6, 2025

Leading Moments - Indian Hill Elementary School

Phonemic Magic in Motion: Mrs. Mongenas Leads with Purpose and Passion!

During my visit to Mrs. Mongenas’s classroom, I witnessed a truly exceptional learning environment. She demonstrated remarkable command and confidence as she guided her third-grade students through an engaging investigation of syllable patterns using a variety of phonemic devices. The classroom itself felt like a fairytale—softly lit with string lights, filled with motivational quotes, and lined with student work that celebrated creativity and effort.

The atmosphere radiated warmth, joy, and a clear focus on students. Mrs. Mongenas’s calm yet purposeful demeanor allowed every learner to feel supported and challenged as they broke down words, explored patterns, and connected their understanding to text features. Students listened intently, practiced new skills with enthusiasm, and confidently shared their learning with peers—demonstrating leadership, communication, and a true love for learning.

Leading Through Learning: Mr. Seeger’s Math Class Models the Way!

A recent visit to Mr. Seeger's classroom exemplified how one can teach content, in this case mathematics, while also teaching life lessons within leadership!

Mr. Seeger's intentional approach to fostering student ownership and voice was on full display as students identified their strengths and selected ways to lead within the classroom community. Within the math lesson, students had the opportunity to take to the whiteboard and illustrate their work, while others led their table teams.

Moreover, Mr. Seeger's students shared how switching from “classroom jobs” to “classroom leadership roles,” students not only take responsibility but also develop confidence, communication, and a sense of purpose. This environment reflects the essence of our mission—modeling leadership so that students, in turn, learn to lead themselves and one another with joy, empathy, and accountability every day.

Learning Through Reflection, Collaboration and Leadership!

During a recent visit to Mrs. Schauer’s classroom, I had the privilege of witnessing a dynamic and purposeful learning environment filled with energy, passion, and patience. Students were deeply engaged in reflecting on their past assessments—correcting their work and articulating, in their own words, that it’s important to fix mistakes because that’s how we learn. This mindset of growth and ownership was powerful to observe.

The half-circle discussion brought the entire class together as Mrs. Schauer guided them through finding and correcting errors as a team. The dialogue among students was thoughtful, respectful, and full of “aha” moments that reinforced how learning is a collaborative and continuous process.

The culminating activity of the lesson was the way Mrs. Schauer intentionally randomized student groups, giving each child the opportunity to collaborate, communicate, and think critically as they investigated common and proper nouns together. The activity ended in a gallery walk where students reviewed one another’s work, celebrated successes, and identified areas for improvement—a wonderful demonstration of reflection and shared responsibility for learning.

This lesson was a shining example of the 5Cs in action—critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and citizenship—and a testament to the leadership Mrs. Schauer cultivates in her classroom each day.

Mixing It Up: Mrs. Church’s Class Masters Math and Leadership

During a recent visit to Mrs. Church’s 4th-grade class, students were immersed in exploring mixed numbers through an engaging blend of independent, partner, and whole-class learning. The energy in the room was contagious—students were deeply focused, eager to share their thinking, and genuinely proud of their progress. What made the lesson especially powerful was the way students not only celebrated their own success but also lifted one another up, cheering for classmates who made connections or overcame challenges.

Mrs. Church’s approach empowers students to take ownership of their learning. Each child was able to create their own path—some chose to spend extra time practicing and deepening their understanding, while others advanced independently before the class reconvened to discuss their findings. This flexibility encouraged both confidence and curiosity. The result was a vibrant learning environment where every student’s voice mattered and growth was celebrated. Mrs. Church’s intentional design of collaborative, student-driven learning truly exemplifies the 5Cs, leadership development and our #IHPromise!

Jeff Damadeo, Director of K-12 Leadership & Career Development

Jeff.Damadeo@ihsd.us

Twitter: @indianhillEC

My #IHPromise - to work tirelessly for our students, providing them with the most exceptional educational opportunities & experiences to help ensure that they develop into outstanding academic students and future ready individuals!