Grad from JCPS leadership training program
By Mark Hebert
May 18, 2023 - Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) efforts to create a pipeline for new school principals is paying off. Laquetta Carter has been named the new principal at Hartstern Elementary School. Carter has been receiving mentoring and training to become a principal as part of JCPS’ Leadership Academy for Aspiring Principals.
“It is with great joy and humility that I accept the opportunity to lead Hartstern Elementary School,” Carter said. “I am passionate about creating a sense of belonging for all Hartstern students and their families.”
Carter is currently the assistant principal at Audubon Elementary School. She started her career in JCPS as a teacher at Tully Elementary School in 2004. She moved to Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts School in 2006 and then on to Western Middle School as an English as Second Language (ESL) teacher. She is currently the president of Kentucky Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (KYTESOL) organization.
“Ms. Carter works diligently to support students, staff, and families at Audubon Elementary,” said Paige Hartstern, assistant superintendent of elementary schools Zone 2. “She is definitely prepared to support the diverse needs of the Hartstern school community.”
Carter has three education-related degrees from Western Kentucky University, the University of Louisville and Bellarmine University. She has received a number of awards, including a Martin Luther King Adult Leadership Award from the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, for her work on social justice issues.
“As an equity centered leader, I will uphold stakeholder excellence through JCPS’ six systems,” Carter said. “Collaboratively, we will reach high academic outcomes at Hartstern and build on our collective and personal assets to improve outcomes for students. It is my hope that we all have a growth mindset in this forever changing world of education.”