Peru — The incoming superintendent of the Peru Community School took her from a Native American reservation in Arizona to Virginia and now Miami County, Indiana.

Jaime Cole was named Superintendent of Education on Thursday at a special meeting of the Peruvian Board of Education. Cole’s appointment ends a months-long search for superintendents.

She will succeed Sam Watkins, who will retire at the end of the school year. He has been with the district for his 20 years and has been superintendent since 2014.

Cole came to Peru via Northampton County Public Schools in Virginia. Northampton County is on the east coast of Virginia and is part of the state off the mainland.

There is she was a recent director, before resigning five months later. Previously, she was the Vice Superintendent for School District Instruction.

Most of Cole’s career was spent on a Native American reservation in Arizona. Her 17 of her 21 years in the West attended school in her Navajo Nation.

“They treated me very well,” she said. “They were amazing. Probably one of the best experiences she’s ever had.”

Cole worked as a special education teacher, elementary education teacher, and assistant principal in the Window Rock Unified School District in Apache County, Arizona. She was an Educational Coach and District Trainer for Teacher Evaluation at Pinon High School in Navajo County, Arizona.

She has 13 years of school management experience and 7 years of experience as a superintendent.

Cole has family in New Albany and was born on a military base in Kansas. She said she was taken to a location in Peru during her job search. The more I learned about the community, the more I liked what I saw.

“It seems like a very nice neighborhood and a community that I would love to work in,” she said Thursday.

Cole said there was a positive vibe when he walked through schools in Peru, especially Blair Point Elementary.

The school board vision was another selling point for Cole. Cole said he has other suggestions.

“I’m really impressed with the school board,” she said. “They really want the best for their kids.”

According to school board president Gregory Quinn, the feeling was mutual.

“She wanted to be part of the community,” he said. “It was a big draw for us.”

The school board considered six candidates.

call contract Two years of employment and an annual income of $129,000. Based on performance evaluation, the contract can be renewed for up to 5 years with a 4% annual salary increase.

Quinn said Cole brought a new perspective to Peruvian schools and was another attribute many on the board were looking for.

“We had weaknesses, but she has strengths,” he said.

The school board surveyed the school community for desirable qualities in superintendents. Results leaned toward lead administrators focused on students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Quin said he had a large number of students with IEP in Peruvian schools.

Cole taught special education for seven years.

“If a stakeholder says they need help in that area and that’s what she’s good at, I think that’s a pretty good fit,” said Quin. “What our polls show is that she brought to the table.”

Cole said strategic planning, student achievement, meeting staff needs, and engaging with parents and the community are all on her radar as she begins work later this summer. rice field.

“The number one priority is getting feedback,” she said.