Trent Whaley Named New Principal at Lydia Middleton Elementary for 2022-2023 School Year

Current Principal is Retiring At End Of School Year

The Board of School Trustees made it official during last Wednesday's nights  meeting when they approved the hiring of Mr. Trent Whaley as the new principal of Lydia Middleton Elementary when classes begin for the 2022-2023 school year.

Whaley, who has been the principal of Jac-Cen-Del Elementary School since 2019, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the elementary levels to the district. In addition to his administrative experience, he spent five years teaching 2nd & 3rd grades at Switzerland County Elementary School, and prior to that taught grades 2, 3, & 5 at Southwest Elementary School in Greenwood, IN. “We are very excited about the opportunities Mr. Whaley will bring to our school, our staff, and our students,” shared Dr. Jeff Studebaker.

“During the interview process, he stated that his vision of a successful school is one in which the staff is ‘all about our students and our building will have a great kid atmosphere’. “Throughout the interview process, it was clear that Mr. Whaley truly lives that worldview…his answers were kid-focused and it was obvious when watching him interact with his student tour guides at Lydia that he truly is a kid-focused educator who easily connects with students,” Studebaker continued.

As a father of four young children (Connor, Caroline, Grant, and Allie) Mr. Whaley understands at his core the importance of quality education, a safe and exciting place to learn and grow, believes in a student-centered approach, and embraces the opportunity to create a staff environment that promotes a passion for professional development, energetic collaboration, and a deeper love of the work they do daily. “I’m looking forward to joining the team at Lydia Middleton Elementary! I’m excited to help build up the future generation of Madison citizens,” Whaley shared.

Whaley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Franklin College and a Master of Education in School Administration and Supervision from Indiana State University. He has leadership experience with the New Administrator Leadership Institute (INALI), Indiana Association of School Principals, Vevay Historical Hoosier Theater, and is a member of the Florence Masonic Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons. Whaley will take the helm as Mrs. Tracy Ahlbrand retires at the end of this school year. “We want to thank Mrs. Ahlbrand for her many years of service to our district,” shared Studebaker