Superintendent's Message
Dr. Christopher Daughtry
I feel honored and blessed that the Wabash CIty School Board of Trustees selected me to return to the Wabash City Schools family to serve as superintendent. I am currently entering my 29th year in public education. I have served as a superintendent of schools for the Lewis Cass School Corporation, Elwood Community Schools, and Central Noble Community Schools in Indiana. I spent seven years out of state in St. Louis, MO as the assistant superintendent of the Affton School District. Preceding my superintendent experience, I served as the director of transportation for Tippecanoe School Corporation and as an elementary principal here in Wabash at O.J. Neighbours Elementary School. My educational journey began as a third grade teacher, following my graduation from Purdue University. I had the privilege to continue growing as an educator by furthering my own education at both Indiana Wesleyan University and Oakland City University. I also proudly served in the Air Force Reserve for eight years at Grissom Air Force Base.
My wife, Sarah and I, reside here in Wabash. We have four daughters. My two oldest daughters are both educators and serve in the Chicago Public Schools. My two youngest daughters are graduates of Wabash High School and will be joining their sisters in Chicago to attend college. We have deep connections to the Wabash Community and Wabash City Schools. My parents moved to Wabash 35 years ago and my brother and sister are graduates of Wabash High School. My wife’s parents were long time educators at Heartland Career Center and she is also a graduate of Wabash High School. Returning to Wabash as Superintendent feels very much like a homecoming, and I feel blessed to have this opportunity.
As an educator, I have always had a great deal of belief that small and rural schools are the true hidden gem in education. Small schools allow students to receive individualized attention, while surprisingly still offering students with a great number of opportunities to pursue their passions and realize their potential. Wabash City Schools is a place where students can chase their dreams while discovering their interests and developing their talents. Wabash City Schools has a history of being on the cutting edge in terms of preparing students for post-secondary success by providing opportunities for earning college credit, earning money for use on college or vocational opportunities after high school, and having access to vocational/work experience locally to prepare them for the workforce.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in the many extracurricular opportunities that Wabash City Schools provide. It is widely accepted that students that participate in activities beyond the classroom generally find success in school. One of the true strengths of small schools is that students are able to actively participate in activities outside the classroom that meet their interest and can often choose to explore new opportunities with very little to no prior experience in that activity. Student engagement really equals student success and truly prepares them for life beyond their k-12 schooling.
Finally, I am truly excited to return to the “Apache” family. I look forward to working with the staff and stakeholders of the Wabash City Schools to continue the tradition of helping students to become the best versions of themselves!
