Hamilton Southeastern Schools recently announced it hired Rosalie Nataki Pettigrew as the school district’s new chief equity and inclusion officer. Pettigrew began her role Jan. 19.
Pettigrew previously served as the director of curriculum and instruction and directed special services at Vanguard Collegiate of Indianapolis. She is the parent of two children in the HSE district.
In her new position, Pettigrew will continue to lead the development of HSE Schools’ inclusive practices and fulfilling the district’s commitment to recruiting, retaining and supporting a diverse staff and educating a diverse student body.
The chief equity and inclusion officer position was created in 2019, and it provides professional development and training for stakeholders in an effort to improve an inclusive, supportive culture.
“It has been a priority of our school system to make equity and cultural competency an important aspect of our children’s’ education,” Supt. Allen Bourff stated. “We must be forward-thinking and proactive in addressing the equities and disparities that persist within our school district, and I am pleased that Nataki is joining us to help us with this worthy endeavor.”
Pettigrew will serve as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet participating in the creation and execution of the district’s vision, mission and strategic plan priorities.
“Equity is such an important issue. I look forward to creating an environment where every student and teacher feels welcome and excited about learning by building capacity, improving cultural awareness in all classrooms, creating brave spaces for inclusion, and developing evaluation and professional development programs,” Pettigrew said. “I am confident in our collective ability to create and sustain equity-driven change that will live and thrive in our school system. I am equally hopeful of our power to create a bold vision for equity and inclusion.”
Pettigrew has 23 years of teaching and administrative experience. She also has served as a member of the Fishers Equity Council. Pettigrew earned her educational specialist degree in district leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University, where she also completed her masters of education and administration certification.
