At the Learning Counsel’s Learning Futures & Tech Media Meeting hosted at MSD of Warren Township in Indianapolis, education leaders explored the forces shaping modern learning environments. Moderated by LeiLani Cauthen, CEO of the Learning Counsel, the panel featured Laura Butgereit, Director of College & Career Readiness at MSD of Warren Township, and Dr. Tim Kreig, Director of Secondary Curriculum for School City of Hobart.
Cauthen opened the discussion with a foundational question: “From your perspective right now in your school, what are you most proud of?”
Their responses revealed districts rooted in culture, purpose, and deep community support.
“Excellent on Purpose”: Building Culture in School City of Hobart
Dr. Tim Kreig introduced the audience to a defining element of Hobart’s identity.
“We’re the Brickies,” he said, referencing the district’s longtime mascot. “And we’ve embraced a mindset of being excellent on purpose.”
He explained that this deliberate cultural shift—led by Superintendent Dr. Peggy Buffington—has transformed how staff and students see themselves and one another.
“People recognize other people for being excellent on purpose,” Kreig emphasized. “We talk a lot about culture, but this is something intentional. You’re rewarding people, acknowledging people for going above and beyond—little ways, big ways, subtle ways. It’s really changed our culture.”
This identity-first approach has not only unified the district but also elevated performance, morale, and shared pride.
Investing in People: Warren Township’s Commitment to the Whole Journey
With more than 25 years of experience in MSD of Warren Township, Laura Butgereit offered a perspective deeply rooted in lived history.
She described the district’s newly completed strategic plan, centered on the Journey of a Graduate, similar to the nationwide movement around “Portrait of a Graduate” frameworks. The vision outlines the knowledge, skills, and mindsets students should carry into their futures.
Butgereit then turned to what makes Warren Township unique.
“What makes me proud about our district is—we even say it—we’re the Pride of the Far East Side of Indianapolis. It’s in our identity,” she said.
That pride is more than a slogan. Butgereit emphasized that her district invests not just in students, but in everyone tied to the learning ecosystem: educators, administrators, families, and community partners.
“I don’t know of any other district in central Indiana that takes care of and invests in our people the way we do,” she said. “We ensure teachers, students, and families have everything they need to be successful—not just instructionally, but in the school environment, the climate, the family support. All of that is here for everybody.”
Her remarks underscored Warren Township’s holistic approach, one that recognizes that strong students come from strong, supported communities.
A Shared Message: Identity Shapes Outcomes
Though representing different districts, both panelists spoke to the transformative power of identity:
- Hobart builds intentional culture around excellence.
- Warren Township builds intentional community around human support.
Together, their perspectives showed that while technology and innovation remain central themes in modern education, the heart of transformation lives in people—how they are valued, connected, and supported.
The Indianapolis session served as a model of how educational leaders are navigating big challenges by doubling down on culture, purpose, and the shared human journey at the center of every school community.
Tune in for the full panel discussion below.
