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Written by Jose Villalpando ’23
Photos by Logan Fetzer ’21

As the Crete Intermediate School principal, three-time ����ɫ�� graduate and one of the university’s 2023 commencement ceremony speakers, Lisa Slaughter Fye understands the importance of education. In short, it’s because education gives people hope.

“When I start seeing that hope, it’s contagious and I want to impact more people, give more kids and parents hope,” Fye said.

That desire is what continues to fuel Fye’s passion after 20+ years in public school teaching and administration. As a self-professed quiet person, she worries it may not come across, that “because I’m not up there rallying a crowd, people may not understand that passion I have.” 

But, based on a recent award, Fye’s passion may be just as contagious as the hope she aims to inspire. Crete Intermediate School was recognized at the end of 2022 as a National ESEA Distinguished School for excellence in serving special populations of students, just one of 100 schools nationwide to receive the honor. 

“I am so proud of the work the staff and students have done at Crete Intermediate. The best part of the award, however, was that we didn’t even know this award existed,” Fye said. “We were awarded simply for coming and doing our jobs and loving what we do.”

“Public education is outstanding,” she said. “I have never gotten out of bed and not wanted to go to work.” 

Outside of work, Fye is incredibly proud of her family. Her husband, Ed Fye, leads ����ɫ�� Track & Field. Her oldest, Zach, will graduate from ����ɫ�� this spring, and youngest, Landon, is entering his sophomore year at Crete High School. With a family heavily involved in athletics, she can often be found in the bleachers to cheer on both the Tigers and the Cardinals.