Celebrating East Arbor’s Principal Tanesha Newby

Although the calendar has been flipped to November, our appreciation for our school leaders continues! We wanted to honor even more of our exceptional principals, so we have extended our Employee Spotlight series into this month.

This week’s spotlight features East Arbor Charter Academy Principal Tanesha Newby. She was nominated by Dean of Special Education and Intervention Tami Gieske and Dean of Grades 5-8 Courtney Shelby-Thompson with support from Director of School Quality (DSQ) Nancy Kouba. Ms. Newby is being celebrated for her steadfast leadership, deep commitment to mentorship, and extraordinary impact within the National Heritage Academies® (NHA®) community.

Presence, Accessibility, and Everyday Mentorship

Principal Newby’s leadership is defined not by administrative titles, but by the intentional relationships she builds every single day. Having served at East Arbor for 15 years, she leads through active visibility, whether greeting families at arrival, stepping into classrooms, or supporting staff through tough moments.

"She truly represents a leader who quietly goes above and beyond every day," shared Dean Tami Gieske. "She is present, approachable, and always willing to step in wherever she is needed. Whether she is coaching a teacher, supporting a staff member through a challenging situation, working with a student, helping during arrival or dismissal, or simply stopping to offer encouragement in the hallway, she leads with empathy, compassion, and a genuine desire to support others."

That constant presence creates a foundation of deep trust throughout the entire building.

"When someone comes to her with a concern, question, or problem, she stops and listens," Dean Gieske added. "She makes people feel heard and valued, and she works alongside them to find a solution. That ability to be fully present for others has helped create a culture where staff know they are supported and students know they have adults who care about them."

DSQ Nancy Kouba noted that Ms. Newby’s long-standing leadership style rests on a clear, powerful philosophy.

"She has high care and high expectations, but she’s also sure to hold everyone accountable. Tanesha does a really great job at letting people know you can have high expectations and it's out of care for people that these high expectations are held because we know what you're capable of."

Whether navigating a complex student situation or speaking with a frustrated parent, Ms. Newby meets every challenge with composure and empathy. Nancy Kouba highlighted her mastery in managing delicate interactions.

"She is a master at difficult conversations. Tanesha can diffuse and calm almost any situation because she listens for what the parent actually wants and needs at the time."

Growing Leaders from Within

One of Principal Newby’s greatest legacies is her commitment to developing future leaders. She intentionally fosters a "grow-from-within" culture, mentoring teachers as they step up into administrative roles. In fact, her entire current administrative team at East Arbor began as classroom teachers under her guidance.

Dean of Grades 5-8 Courtney Shelby-Thompson began her career at East Arbor in 2019 as a new fourth-grade teacher. Over seven years, Ms. Newby mentored her through graduate studies, administrative prep, and into her current role as Dean.

"Ms. Newby saw leadership potential in me before I fully understood what that potential could become," Dean Shelby-Thompson reflected. "As I grew from a classroom teacher into a leadership role, she consistently challenged me, coached me, and created opportunities for me to develop. While I was completing my master’s degree in Educational Leadership and later participating in Dean Prep, Ms. Newby was my Principal mentor and became one of my greatest real-life examples of what effective school leadership looks like."

She added that Mrs. Newby taught her the foundational core of administration.

"She taught me that leading a school is about much more than academics, data, or operations. It is about people. She showed me how to care deeply for students while maintaining high expectations, how to support teachers while still pushing them toward excellence, and how to build authentic relationships with families. Most importantly, she taught me that people perform at their best when they know they are valued."

This hands-on mentorship extends across her administrative team, where Ms. Newby creates safe spaces for real-time coaching, modeling, and practical skill-building.

"As a mentor, Principal Newby has had a tremendous impact on my own growth as a leader," Dean Gieske shared. "She is always willing to let me observe and learn from her, especially when difficult conversations need to happen. She models how to have those conversations with professionalism, empathy, honesty, and respect. She explains her thinking, provides guidance, and gives me opportunities to handle challenging situations. At the same time, if a situation becomes particularly difficult, she is willing to step in and take on the conversation herself. She never makes you feel like you have to navigate a difficult situation alone."

High Expectations Softened by Compassion

Even during challenging school years, Ms. Newby’s steady, compassionate guidance keeps her staff grounded and focused on student achievement. She demonstrates that holding high standards for academic excellence and caring deeply for staff wellness are mutually supportive goals.

"Ms. Newby also understands that supporting staff goes beyond providing professional guidance," Dean Gieske noted. "She takes the time to check in with people, celebrate their successes, recognize when someone may be having a difficult day, and remind staff that the work they are doing matters. She knows her staff as people and has built relationships based on trust."

Dean Shelby-Thompson emphasized how this dual focus shapes her own leadership today.

"Principal Newby excels in school culture, communication, and high care. She has an incredible ability to make staff, students, and families feel seen, heard, and important while still maintaining a strong vision for excellence. Watching her lead taught me that high expectations and high care should always exist together. That lesson has become a foundational part of my own leadership philosophy."

Nancy Kouba summarized Ms. Newby's lasting resilience and commitment across the NHA network.

"She's still leading with passion, with empathy, communication, all of the things. Tanesha has been a true model for her own deans and also on our principal team."

In closing her nomination, Dean Shelby-Thompson captured the ripple effect of Principal Newby’s everyday mentorship.

"What makes Mrs. Newby an Everyday Mentor is that her impact has never been limited to a formal meeting, program, or title. Her mentorship has happened through years of conversations, feedback, encouragement, correction, opportunities, observations, and everyday examples. Ms. Newby did not simply help me become better at my job; she helped me become the leader I am today."

Thank you, Principal Newby, for your steadfast leadership, unwavering integrity, and continuous dedication to East Arbor Academy and the NHA family!