Penn Associate Principal Jeanie Mitchell Named to Michiana Forty Under 40

Penn High School Associate Principal Jeanie Mitchell has been named to the 2026 Michiana Forty Under 40 class, an honor presented by the South Bend Regional Chamber every year recognizing emerging leaders across the region.

The annual award highlights individuals under the age of 40 who demonstrate professional excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to their communities. Honorees are selected based on career achievement, initiative, and meaningful service to others throughout the Michiana area.

Mrs. Mitchell’s career in education reflects a consistent focus on student success and continuous improvement. She began her journey at Penn High School as a student teacher before being hired as a French teacher in 2008. During her time in the classroom, she earned recognition as the Penn-Harris-Madison Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2019 and was later named a Top 10 Finalist for the 2020 Indiana Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Mitchell is known for creating engaging and immersive learning experiences for her students. She brought global perspectives into her classroom by organizing international travel opportunities for students and coordinating cultural learning experiences closer to home.

Her leadership expanded beyond the classroom as she took on roles supporting school-wide systems and staff development. As Assistant Principal overseeing Penn’s Freshman Academy, Mrs. Mitchell helped strengthen the transition from middle school to high school. Her work refining the school’s Response to Intervention (RTI) framework contributed to strong student outcomes, including a ninth-grade on-track rate of 97.3% and an overall graduation rate exceeding 98%.

Mrs. Mitchell has also played a key role in supporting educators through her work as a Professional Development Coordinator and Instructional Coach. Her expertise in literacy strategies, educational technology, and data-driven decision-making has helped teachers enhance their instructional practices and improve student learning.

In 2023, Mrs. Mitchell was part of the leadership team that helped Penn earn the Indiana Department of Education’s Excellence in College Readiness Award, along with a $250,000 grant to support college and career readiness initiatives. That same year, Penn was also recognized as a Cognia School of Distinction.

She transitioned into her current role as Associate Principal in January 2026, continuing to lead with a focus on collaboration, growth, and student-centered decision-making.

Mrs. Mitchell’s selection to the Michiana 40 Under 40 class reflects her dedication to education, her investment in others, and her ongoing commitment to strengthening the school community.