Sheridan Community Schools welcomes new staff for 2026-27

Submitted by Sheridan Community Schools

Across the board, Sheridan Community Schools (SCS) is welcoming a well-rounded and eager group of both new and veteran staff.

Jaron Howard, a Purdue graduate and first-year teacher, is joining the staff to teach STEM and SOAR. Howard actually student-taught fifth grade at Sheridan last year and said that he “fell in love with the people, community, and culture of Sheridan. There is no place [he’d] rather be!”

Brooke Topper is joining the fifth-grade team at Sheridan Elementary School (SES). She graduated from the University of Indianapolis and has four years of teaching experience. She said she is most looking forward to the community and small-town feel that Sheridan will bring: “I am super excited to build relationships and make a difference at Sheridan.”

Erica Hills is joining SES as the new school nurse. Previously, she was a nurse at Forte Sports Med and Ortho, but she is most looking forward to returning to where she grew up: “I am looking forward to working with the staff and keeping our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn.”

Jeremy Luna is joining Sheridan Middle School (SMS) as the Dean of Students. He is coming into his 26th year in education and 22nd in school administration. He said he grew up in a community similar to Sheridan, and while he may not have always worked in small schools, he is truly a small-town and small-school guy at heart. “I love knowing who people are, connecting with students, staff, and parents, and truly feeling like I can make an impact on someone and know them beyond “just being a student in my building.”

Jackie Donathen is also joining the SMS staff to teach seventh- and eighth-grade science. While already involved with various sports through coaching, she is now joining as a full-time member of the staff. She taught in Westfield for the past 20 years, but is excited to “fully be a part of the school system.” She said, “I have seen the benefits of a smaller school from my own experience growing up, from a coaching perspective, and from my own kids being here so I am really looking forward to finally being a part of the teaching staff.”

Abby Huffman is returning to her alma mater as a 2019 graduate. This upcoming school year, Huffman will teach seventh-grade English after previously teaching at Noblesville. “I love the school’s connection and involvement in the community and its people!” she said. “I am looking forward to being back home! I am so excited to see my students learn and grow! Sheridan gives us the opportunity to stay in touch with students and families, so I’m looking forward to staying connected over the years!”

Dylan Claypool is joining SMS as the new Special Education Teacher. Before joining the SMS team, he taught high school special education at Maconaquah and was an instructional aide at Lewis Cass. He said, “I’m looking forward to joining such an awesome, tight-knit team and getting involved in the community!”

At the high school, Natalie Guest is joining the staff to teach English Language Arts for sophomores and seniors. Guest graduated from Indiana University and has more than 15 years of teaching under her belt. In those years, she has taught anywhere from ninth grade to 12^th grade. She said, “I am SO excited to be a Blackhawk! After hearing all the wonderful things about the leadership here and the Sheridan community overall, I’m looking forward to putting down roots in Sheridan and, most importantly, meeting my awesome students!”