Veteran Principal Jen Raycroft to lead Trailside Elementary School

A young girl who found joy in babysitting, serving as a camp counselor, and leading Sunday School classes while growing up, Jen Raycroft exhibited signs early that she was destined for a career in teaching and educational leadership.

However, Jen headed to college at Butler University in Indianapolis with a declared major in marketing and with her heart set on entering the business world. A typical college freshman, Raycroft needed some discretionary funds, so she relied on her youth experience of working with children and accepted a job at an after-school program run by the YMCA in the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). It was that part-time job during college that changed her future.

Raycroft’s mother, an accountant who stayed home with Jen and her sisters when they were young, was not the least surprised by this decision. She understood her daughter’s passions. They were shared. While raising Jen and Jen's sisters, Raycroft’s mom volunteered in the kids’ classrooms. She eventually followed her own passion for teaching by completing a Master’s degree in Education. Jen's mom has been a teacher for the past 20 years.

Jen says it is her mother’s commitment to lifelong learning and pursuing her goals that have inspired her to follow the path she chose while at Butler and beyond.

“Early in my teaching career, I knew I wanted to further my education and obtain my Master’s degree and administrator's license. I was fortunate to work with a school leader who saw things in me I didn’t necessarily see in myself, and he encouraged me to explore school leadership,” said Raycroft.

“With his mentorship, I started the Educational Leadership and Administration program at Ball State University. Even as a young teacher, I was able to gain a variety of opportunities to support my colleagues and community in a leadership role.”

Raycroft is about to take her next leap in school administration. The veteran principal has been tapped to lead Trailside Elementary School, the sixth and newest elementary school in Zionsville Community Schools (ZCS) scheduled to open in August of this year.

“When deciding who best to lead the new Trailside Elementary School, Raycroft was top of mind,” said ZCS Superintendent of Schools Scott Robison. “She has a special gift of leading with purpose, connecting with families, and creating a foundation where all students have an opportunity to succeed. She also understands the complexity of opening a new school and the extra attention required to help students and families feel comfortable as they transition to a new building.”

Raycroft is in her ninth year in ZCS, serving for one year as a teacher at Eagle Elementary School and then spending the next eight years at Union Elementary School, serving first as assistant principal and then as principal. She is most proud of the relationships built during her tenure at Union. 

“Over the eight years I was there, our enrollment increased by nearly 200 students. This required us to add many new staff who each brought their own talents and experiences that continue to help us learn and grow. Additionally, each new student and family brought with them their own unique story that makes our community even richer,” said Raycroft.

Raycroft left Union Elementary School knowing the school is in great hands with former Union assistant principal Erin Kay now appointed as the school's principal.

“Erin is a talented educator who is student focused and has a strong moral compass. She takes time to build relationships and really listens to others. She knows Union well and will only continue to elevate the school with her leadership,” said Raycroft.

Raycroft is a native Chicagoan who grew up on the south side of the city near Midway airport. She is proud to call Zionsville home.

“I attended a small, private high school in the suburbs [of Chicago] and had a guidance counselor who suggested that I check out Butler for college. It was a great fit and for the better part of the last 20 years, I have been a Hoosier,” said Raycroft.

Raycroft said she and her husband Francis met as undergraduates (Jen was a student at Butler and Francis at Wabash) and married shortly after college. They lived in South Bend for six years while her husband completed his Ph.D at Notre Dame. Their move to the Whitestown/Zionsville area in 2013 was for her husband’s employment.

They fell in love with Zionsville and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Raycroft currently resides in Zionsville with her husband Francis, their two daughters Addy (9) and Quinn (3), and their dogs Jingles and Bernie.