Barbara Eason-Watkins, Michigan City Area Schools superintendent since July 2010, recently announced her retirement.
“I have worked with so many talented, committed and caring board members, staff, parents, community leaders and business executives who have supported our district's efforts,” said Eason-Watkins in a press release. “I remain fully committed to this district and community, and my heart and spirit remain deeply rooted in the Wolves culture.”
During Eason-Watkins’ tenure, she worked to strengthen instruction, expand college and career preparation opportunities and increase educational options for students. Eason-Watkins helped establish elementary magnet schools in the arts and in science, technology, engineering and math. She also focused on creating programs for high-ability students.
Eason-Watkins oversaw the expansion of career and technical education programming. She helped launch the district’s Early College Program, Compressed Air Academy and Little Wolves Early Learning Center.
Under Eason-Watkins’s leadership, the district received the University of Notre Dame’s Advanced Placement School of the Year, the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest’s Richard C. Sussman Prize for Team Innovation and an Indiana Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.
Eason-Watkins was named a Gerald I. Lamkin Fellow by the Society of Innovators in 2016. She has served on the boards of directors for numerous community organizations.
Eason-Watkins’s retirement marks the culmination of her 50-year professional career in education. She taught in Highland Park, Michigan, and served as a school principal in the Chicago Woodlawn community. In 2001, she was appointed as the chief education officer of the Chicago Public Schools.
“Eason-Watkins has shown unwavering dedication to our community over the last 14 years, leading Michigan City Area Schools with integrity and professionalism,” said Marty Corley, president of the district's board of trustees. “While we will miss her, I thank her for laying a strong foundation of excellence that we will continue to build on.”
Over the next several weeks, the school board will determine steps to ensure district leadership. Eason-Watkins retirement is effective Aug. 2.
Michigan City Area Schools serves over 5,000 students from pre-kindergarten through high school. The district has nine elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Michigan City Area Schools serves La Porte and Porter counties.
(Photo provided by Michigan City Area Schools)
