Welcome to Earhart Elementary School! My name is Ryan Habben, and I am looking forward to a fantastic year and getting to work with such an awesome group of students, teachers and parents.
I was born and raised in Lafayette. I am very proud to be an alumnus of Purdue University, where I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I started my educational career in Portage Township Schools, teaching fourth grade at South Haven Elementary. During my time there, I started work on my master’s degree in educational administration, also from Purdue. I moved back to Lafayette and continued teaching fourth grade at Mintonye Elementary in the Tippecanoe School Corporation. I felt a calling to want to continue to have the ability to educate children but also work in a leadership role. I was hired in 2014 to be the Assistant Principal at Wea Ridge Elementary and thoroughly enjoyed getting to work with the many students at that school.
I became the principal at Earhart in 2016 and have really enjoyed the past seven years here. Earhart has a phenomenal group of teachers and staff that are so much fun to work with. More than that, our students and families are top-notch. I am looking forward to another amazing school year!
Contact Information:
Email: rhabben@lsc.k12.in.us
Phone: 765-772-4740
I’m Mandy Fisher, and I’m proud to serve as the Assistant Principal at Earhart Elementary and the District High Ability Coordinator for the Lafayette School Corporation. This is my 26th year in education and my 11th year with LSC. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of roles—starting as a paraprofessional, then spending 13 years as a classroom teacher, and now serving in administration for the past 7 years.
I grew up in Benton County, Indiana, where my early experiences helped shape my deep appreciation for close-knit school communities and the lasting impact of great educators. My teaching journey began in Georgia, where I taught for seven years before returning to Indiana. I spent three years teaching at Boswell Elementary in my home county and then three more at Miami Elementary in Lafayette. Over the course of my 13 years in the classroom, I taught 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades, as well as 5th and 6th grade science—experiences that gave me a strong foundation in differentiated instruction and student engagement. In 2018, I stepped into administration and have been honored to serve in several leadership roles across the district ever since.
I hold both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. I also earned a Gifted and Talented Certification from North Georgia College and University and a School Administration Certification from Indiana Wesleyan University. My professional focus has always centered on supporting students, teachers, and families through inclusive practices, strong communication, and meaningful collaboration.
I believe in the power of positive school culture and in creating environments where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to grow. With a background that spans from early childhood education to high-ability programming, I bring a wide range of experiences that help me support learners at all levels.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family. My husband, Josh, and I have one daughter who will begin her freshman year at Ball State University this fall. We also share our home with two dogs and a cat, who keep things lively! I’m truly looking forward to an incredible year with the amazing staff and community at Earhart Elementary.