Robey Elementary Assistant Principal Shatara Smith will step into the principal’s role at Chapel Glen Elementary beginning in January. Smith will succeed Chapel Glen Principal Marc Coapstick, who is retiring at the end of December.

Smith began her career as a second grade teacher in Gary, Indiana in 1999 before moving to Indianapolis to teach sixth grade for Indianapolis Public Schools in 2000. She came to the MSD of Wayne Township in 2005 to teach sixth grade at Garden City Elementary. She began her administrative career in 2009 as assistant principal at Westlake Elementary. She then served in that same role at Rhoades Elementary and, most recently, at Robey.

Smith earned a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Ball State University and her master’s degree and administrative licensure from Indiana University.

Coapstick is retiring after serving 46 years in public education. He has been Chapel Glen’s principal for 16 years. He served as the school’s home-school advisor for 20 years, after six years as a teacher and assistant principal in IPS.