For Amy Turley, education has always been more than a career—it is a lifelong passion rooted in her hometown of Hobart. As the principal of Liberty Elementary School, she brings a deep commitment to fostering student success and supporting teachers and parents alike.
“After I graduated from college, I wanted to come back home to my small hometown to teach and give back to the community I once called home,” Turley said.
Turley’s journey in education began long before she stepped into an administrative role. As a high school student, she taught an after-school Spanish class to second graders at Veterans Elementary School, an experience that ignited her love for working with children.
“My younger brother was in that class, and I really enjoyed it,” Turley said. “I loved working with the kids and found it very rewarding to teach them something and get to know them. I enjoy being around kids, and that's what started my passion for wanting to be an educator.”
Turley’s career in education has spanned multiple roles, including teaching special education, fourth grade, and fifth grade. She later moved into administration, serving as the assistant principal at Joan Martin Elementary, principal at the Early Learning Center at George Earle, and now, principal at Liberty Elementary.
“I think all those experiences of being a teacher and learning how to create those good relationships with students, their parents, and colleagues gave me the passion to do more than just help those in my classroom,” Turley said. “I wanted to be able to reach more kids and to help other teachers and parents with their children's education.”
Turley fulfilled her own education goals at Purdue University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and a master’s in administration and supervision. Later, she earned an educational specialist degree and a superintendent's license from Indiana State University. Although Turley had years of higher education, she believes being a successful educator takes time, patience, and, above all else, a personable approach.
“The most important quality is the ability to connect with students,” Turley said. “Once you build that positive relationship, they become open to learning and listening. From there, you can help them develop a love for learning.”
Turley is as active and engaged in the community as she is in the classroom.
“I love being a member of our community. I enjoy planting and caring for flowers, working in my yard, reading, and spending time with my family,” Turley said. “I have a lily 'Stargazer' that was planted the summer my third child was born—she is 17 now—and it still blooms every year, always right around her birthday.”
For Turley, family is the most rewarding and fulfilling part of her life.
“Being a mother of four, I have learned that all children have their own unique personalities, talents, and challenges, and each one may need different things at a different time, whether it's encouragement or advice,” Turley said. “You may think that things are gonna go a certain way, and then things shift. As a parent, you learn to adapt and try to do your best to support them.”
Having received support and guidance in her own pursuit of education, Turley hopes to provide the same for others.
“Every child needs a sense of belonging and the feeling of success in accomplishing their goals,” Turley said. “As a principal, I am happy to help our youth experience these things during their school years.”