Administration Team

Founder and Executive Director

Lisa Khemani

Since our establishment in 2011, I have been thrilled to see our teachers' passion and the students' excitement every day. At the core of our success is a safe space for students to express themselves freely.

From the very beginning, we stress the importance of mutual respect and embracing individual differences. By removing social pressures, we inspire confidence, encourage questions, suggestions, and participation in class. I am excited to hear that you're interested in learning more about SRP and we invite you to come and experience our environment first-hand!

Head of School

Kara Myers

Myers' leadership skills have been evident since her early days in education. After graduating from the University of Memphis in 2015, she was one of only 2% of applicants selected for the Teach for America leadership program. Her exceptional achievements earned her the title of "Leading Change-maker", an accolade that only nine other TFA teachers received that year.

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Since then, Ms. Myers has continued to thrive. She holds a master's degree in special education and teaching from Marian University and was recognized as "Indianapolis's New Educator of the Year" in 2016. Ms. Myers was also awarded the "Passion Award" for her contributions to KIPP's national Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. With Ms. Myers at the head of school, SRP is in excellent hands.

Director of Students and Culture

Melvin Smalls

Melvin Smalls has taken on the role of Director of Students and Culture at SRP, with a focus on promoting and enforcing the organization's core mission. This mission is centered around developing students into critical thinkers while fostering kindness, accountability, compassion, and acceptance for all. Coach Smalls believes that athletics, ethics, and academics are all interconnected, and his career is full of examples of how he unites young people around positive outcomes.

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Coach Smalls' track record includes his role as the current director of SRP's Safety Patrol, which he built from scratch in a matter of months. He is also known for his successes as Program Coordinator at Playworks, a national organization dedicated to fostering safe and healthy play in American schools. Additionally, he has coached gifted athletes in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where his students came from diverse backgrounds and did not share a common language. It's even more remarkable that his accomplishments overseas were made possible by teaching students who spoke different languages and came from countries as varied as Saudi Arabia and Finland.

Director of Operations

Jennifer Castleberry

Mrs. Castleberry, a devoted parent and teacher, has been an integral part of SRP since its establishment. Her vast knowledge of the school's history, including what has been attempted, successful approaches, and ineffective strategies, is unmatched. Mrs. Castleberry has earned a reputation for being a determined, forward-thinking, and highly organized individual among the SRP community, not only as a kindergarten teacher but also beyond her teaching responsibilities. Furthermore, in 2021, she completed Harvard's Leadership Training course, enhancing her qualifications and skillset.

Lead Teacher

Elizabeth Davis

Mrs. Davis has dedicated eighteen years to education, twelve of which she has spent in leadership roles. Notably, she served as Lead Elementary Teacher at SRP for two years. Mrs. Davis's extensive practical experience is complemented by her academic achievements, including a master's degree in early childhood education from the University of West Alabama. Her commitment to professional growth is demonstrated by her completion of Harvard University's Leadership Training Course in 2021