The name Leanna Phillippe sends smiles throughout the South Dearborn community. Her compassionate nature, coupled with her knowledge and drive to help others succeed, are just a few of the qualities Dr. Phillippe utilizes as the new principal of Moores Hill Elementary School.
Dr. Phillippe graduated from Milan High School and went on to receive her undergraduate degree at Ball State University. She then earned her Principal’s License from Indiana University Southeast. Afterward, she continued her education, earning her Ed.S. from Indiana Wesleyan University and eventually her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from Oakland City University.
When she is not at work, she likes to be with her four grandchildren, which she considers the best way to spend her time. She also enjoys reading and traveling anywhere with a beach, preferably at the same time.
Dr. Phillippe has spent 33 years in education and has been at South Dearborn from the very beginning. She spent the first 10 years of her career with Moores Hill Elementary and five with Aurora Elementary. Later, she went on to an administrative position within another school district in the county.
Dr. Phillippe says that from the time she was in 4th grade she knew she wanted to be a teacher. She loves watching the spark in a child’s eye when he finally gets the equation, or when something she is learning about finally makes sense.
In the fall of 2015, Dr. Phillippe returned to Moores Hill Elementary School (MHES), this time as the principal. “I feel like I’ve come home,” she said. “All of the kids that I taught—I am now teaching their kids.”
Dr. Phillippe is creating new programs at MHES and utilizing as many resources as she can identify to make the school the best it can be. She spends three nights a week – Monday, Thursday, and Friday – supervising high school volunteers who come to MHES to help the elementary school students with their homework.
She also is taking advantage of the 1:1 technology initiative that has helped shape the way students learn, offering new innovative ways for students to be more involved with what they are learning and utilizing these skills every day.
Along with creating new programs at the school, Dr. Phillippe is becoming very involved in the Moores Hill community. Moores Hill Elementary School’s invitation to partner with community members has yielded several projects funded by the town of Moores Hill that provide students with special opportunities. One example is the Archery Club. Because of community funding, club members will have the opportunity to go to their first competition in March.
All of this hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed by the staff at MHES. With a noticeably happy environment and students eager to learn, it is no secret that Dr. Phillippe is doing great things at MHES.