IPS Employee Spotlight: Leah Muguro Talks About Her Life in Education
Welcome to the IPS Employee Spotlight, where we shine a light on the dedicated individuals who make a significant impact on our district. In this engaging Q&A session, Leah Muguro, City Connects Site Coordinator at Charles Warren Fairbanks School 105, talks about her life in education.
Leah is a compassionate, solution-focused social worker with more than five years of experience supporting students and families. Her work spans case management, counseling, crisis intervention, data analysis, and grant writing, all grounded in a deep commitment to helping others thrive. Known for her collaborative approach, Leah partners closely with school teams and community organizations to support diverse populations, including at-risk youth and their families.
Leah is a graduate of Indiana University’s School of Social Work, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Social Work degrees, along with a minor in psychology.
Now in her fifth year with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), Leah currently serves as the City Connects Site Coordinator at School 105 and will transition into a school social worker role in the 2026–27 school year. She previously served as a McKinney-Vento specialist, supporting students and families experiencing homelessness across IPS and a consortium of other school districts and charter schools.
Why is education important to you, and what inspires you to pursue a career in this field?
Education and social work are important to me because of my passion for empowering children and youth to reach their full potential, both academically and personally. Watching students’ success and resilience inspires me to pursue a career in social work and education.
What specific roles and responsibilities do you currently have at IPS?
I collaborate with teachers and staff annually to create individualized support plans for 400+ students. I established and co-facilitated our school’s student support team. I connect students to prevention, early intervention, and intensive services throughout the school year. I have developed and enhanced community partnerships with varied agencies to assist in meeting the needs of our students and their families. I serve on the IPS district’s Crisis Response Team, the Charles Fairbanks School’s Attendance Team, and the Charles Fairbanks’ Wellness Team. I lead several student lunch groups. I volunteer at our students’ Running Club events by running 5K races several times a year with the students.
How do you approach your job daily, and what strategies help you stay motivated and effective?
My empathetic and solution-focused mindset is how I approach my job on a daily basis as I work to meet the needs of students and their families. I try to bring a positive attitude to work every day as I work to build a trusting and supportive relationship with students, families, and staff. The success of the students I work with is what motivates me to be my best self and to show up for them with consistency.
What advice would you give to new educators or staff members joining IPS to help them succeed and feel valued in their roles?
My advice to new staff members joining the IPS team would be to build strong relationships with colleagues and to learn their roles and responsibilities. It is always so helpful to know who does what and who may be able to help find answers to any questions you may have. Another piece of advice for new staff members is to share information about themselves with students, staff, and families. You will feel much more valued in your role when you have strong reciprocal relationships with the people you interact with every day. Others must know who you are and what your role is too.