After serving 11 years as assistant principal, Valerie Roberts will soon step into the role of principal of Sheridan Elementary School (SES).
The transition to the role will officially take place at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year. Long-serving principal Dean Welbaum will be on medical leave for the remainder of the school year, so Roberts is graciously stepping in as acting principal.
Roberts
“It has been a lifelong dream to give back to my own community by serving as the principal of Sheridan Elementary!” Roberts said. “I am very excited, honored, and humbled to be the best servant leader I can be to the children of Sheridan.”
Roberts is a Sheridan native, graduating from Sheridan High School before earning a BA in Elementary Education / Special Education from Purdue University and a Master’s in Education and principal licensure from Indiana Wesleyan.
Before returning to Sheridan as a teacher in 2000, she taught in Hartford City, Ind., Southwest Allen, and Clarkston, Mich. At Sheridan Community Schools (SCS), Roberts taught second, third, and fourth grades, as well as SOAR and special education. She served as the Assistant Principal at Sheridan Middle School from 2011 to 2016 and has served as Assistant Principal at SES since then. She was named SCS Teacher of the Year in 2008.
Welbaum was honored at a reception last week and leaves behind legacy of caring service to the students of Sheridan Elementary.
Outgoing superintendent Mary Roberson said of Roberts, “Valerie brings a wealth of experience in education and dedication to the Sheridan community. She leads from the heart. I have observed firsthand her tireless commitment and know that SES will continue to thrive under her leadership and the dedicated staff.”
The position of assistant principal will be posted and filled later this spring.