The Visionary

Welcome to Fort Wayne Community Schools' community newsletter. Each month we share news from our schools and important District information. Have an idea for a story? Please share it with us!

Fort Wayne Community Schools' 2025 Secondary Teacher of the Year recently received an incredible surprise from Meijer. Store representatives visited South Side High School to present special education teacher Sierra Miranda with a $900 gift card to buy school supplies for her classes. Meijer made this gesture to give back after learning that teachers, on average, spend around $900 of their own money each school year on classroom materials.

“I can talk with my co-teaching partners and see what we can do for our kids in the Freshman Schools of Success,” Miranda said. “This is incredible! I am so thankful that Meijer chose our district and our community to invest in. We couldn’t do this without the support of our community.”

In the true spirit of giving, Miranda brought her teaching team along to shop to ensure that all of their classrooms received the supplies they needed.

They are the unsung heroes of our schools, the ones who keep buildings clean, safe and welcoming for students, staff and visitors every single day. Recently, four Sodexo custodians at Fort Wayne Community Schools were honored with awards recognizing their hard work and dedication. Of the three Facilities Management Awards presented by Sodexo across the country, two went to FWCS crews.

At Waynedale Elementary School, Gerald Behrer, Gladys Arevalo and Kristen Judge each received the Frontline Excellence Award. This award highlights facilities management employees including custodians, maintenance staff, groundskeepers and technicians who demonstrate exceptional dedication, work ethic and a lasting impact on their school communities. These honorees represent the backbone of facilities management, ensuring schools remain operational and ready for learning.

Gerald Behrer, Custodian - Gladys Arevalo, Custodian - Kristen Judge, Custodial Engineer

At South Side High School, Sue Murdock was recognized with the People Champion Award. This honor is given to individuals who exemplify teamwork, collaboration and a commitment to supporting their district. Murdock was celebrated for going above and beyond to build strong, cohesive teams, foster cross-functional collaboration and contribute to her school’s success through leadership, mentorship and a people-first approach.

Sue Murdock - Custodial Foreman

These four award winners are a testament to the pride and dedication that strengthen our FWCS family.

Wayne High School has a fresh new look after more than two years of construction that transformed the building inside and out. Originally built in 1971, the upgrades create modern learning environments and enhance student experiences.

Renovations began in the spring of 2022. The improvements include a transformed media center and student hub, a state-of-the-art cafeteria and dining experience, collaborative learning spaces, a new ROTC suite and a secured entryway to improve safety. In addition, the auditorium and gymnasium were modernized, and athletic facilities received significant improvements.

With nearly 1,400 students, Wayne High School now offers spaces designed to inspire learning, encourage collaboration and support every Generals’ success.

Bayanda Ngema’s love of fashion began in his homeland of South Africa, where students were required to wear school uniforms. “There was a day when we could pay to wear nicer clothes to school, and that’s when I first began expressing myself through fashion,” Ngema recalls. That early experience sparked a passion that he has grown into his own clothing brand, Wattera Studios.

Now a senior at Snider High School, Ngema is focused on building his brand while also learning the business side of fashion. “I want my brand to remain exclusive, high-quality and popular. This is just the beginning,” he said. His ultimate goal is to carve out a unique space in the fashion world, much like luxury streetwear label Off-White.

Through Amp Lab, Ngema has learned lessons beyond design. Working six days a week and reinvesting nearly all his earnings has taught him the importance of saving and managing money. He says this financial discipline is one of the most valuable skills he has gained.

Ngema is most proud of his personal growth and the support he receives from others. Seeing people embrace his work fuels his determination. “When people experience my brand, I want them to feel like they belong,” he said.

(Courtesy: Sydney White and Camya Temple)

North Side High School junior Sophie Romines starts most days leading dance with Unified Sports athletes as she pursues her dream of becoming a teacher. Unified Sports brings students of all abilities together to train, compete and play on the same teams. The program promotes friendship, understanding and equal opportunities in athletics. Sophie’s daily commitment to this inclusive program reflects the values that will make her an excellent educator. See Sophie in action and learn how she’s already making a difference while preparing for her future in education in this latest installment of Classroom to Career.

Looking for a flexible schedule and an opportunity to make a positive difference? Join our team as a Substitute Teacher or Substitute School Assistant! Our dedicated subs are critical to our work and help keep our schools functioning smoothly each and every day. We’d love for you to share your time and talent with our students, even for only one day each week (or whatever your schedule allows). Visit www.fwcsjobs.org to learn more and apply!

Email: publicaffairs@fwcs.k12.in.us
Website: fortwayneschools.org
Location: 1200 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN, 46802, USA
Phone: (260) 467-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/FWCommSchools
Twitter: @FWCommSchools