New Brebeuf principal’s qualities include caring for others

This ceramic creation of two small hands cupped together holding a glass heart is one of LaTonya Turner’s most treasured possessions.

By John Shaughnessy

Ask LaTonya Turner to choose one item in her office that best defines her and her eyes dance past the books on her shelves, her running shoes on the floor and the small poster of her favorite basketball player, Dwyane Wade.

Then she reaches toward the edge of her desk and picks up an art piece that was a gift from a friend—a ceramic creation of two small hands cupped together, holding a glass heart.

“It’s a sense of comfort for me,” Turner says. “My friend gave it to me because I’m always thinking of others. It reminds me of the focus I have of serving others. Sometimes when I feel I may not be doing the work I’m called to do, it reminds me.”

That caring quality was part of the reason that Turner was recently chosen to become the next principal of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis—a position she didn’t seek.

While Brebeuf conducted a nationwide search that drew the interest of about 15 quality applicants, Turner’s name kept coming up in the discussion of who should be the next principal starting on July 1. So Brebeuf president Matthew Hayes met with Turner, who currently serves as the school’s director of academic counseling and an interim assistant principal.

After three days of considering the offer, Turner accepted it on March 22—a decision that gained her a standing ovation when it was announced to the school’s faculty and staff that day.

Married and the mother of an 11-year-old son, the 42-year-old Turner recently shared her thoughts and insights on her life and her approach to education.

Becoming principal—“I am very connected to the students. I love to be out and about with them, part of their daily lives—at lunch, at their games, just being open to them. This is a great opportunity to affect the lives of students on a greater level.

“I believe we all have a mission in life. My true mission is to be helping our students become men and woman for others—learning, leading and serving. That’s what I feel my role is right now.”

Approach to education—“It’s important we not only look at the academic piece, but also what’s going on in a student’s life as a whole—socially, even emotionally. I had a situation today where students came in to talk about another student who is having some difficulties.

“The student is having difficulty dealing with family issues outside the school environment. I helped teachers understand what’s going on to find a different approach to help her in the classroom. As educators, we get caught up in the academic piece, not thinking there may be other issues that are causing problems for a student. It’s key that we take the time to learn what’s going on in a student’s life.”

Reaction to being asked to become principal—“My gut reaction was, ‘Who? Me?’ ”

Reaction to receiving a standing ovation from faculty and staff when she was announced as the next principal—“It was very overwhelming. My husband has often told me, ‘I wish you would see yourself as others see you.’ I’m so concerned about others that I don’t take time for myself. The essence of who I am is serving others.

“That day, I truly saw the level of respect that the faculty and staff have for me. One thing I keep hearing from faculty and staff is that I take the time to listen. The outcome may not be what they hoped for it to be, but they appreciated being heard.”

What led her to become an educator— “I am the product of two educators. Both of my parents are teachers. Education was in my blood from the beginning. I fought it for the longest time. I went into communications initially and worked for a newspaper and publishing company, but this is where I’m meant to be.”

Outside interests—“I like to work out and exercise. And read. I enjoy reading and spending time with my family.”

Favorite authors—“Alice Walker and Toni Morrison. The Bluest Eye [by Morrison] is one of my favorite books, just because of the story she tells and the way she tells it.”

The glass heart being held by the cupped ceramic hands on her desk— “The heart symbolizes everything that’s an important part of my life—my family and the Brebeuf community. I’ve been blessed to have them as a part of my life.” †