Westfield Washington Schools announces three appointments

Submitted by Westfield Washington Schools

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, Westfield Washington Schools (WWS) announced three appointments: Andy Hilton as principal of Westfield Elementary School, Annette Patchett as principal of Shamrocks Springs Elementary School, and Craig Tierney as the district’s Communications and PR Coordinator.

Andy Hilton

Andy Hilton, current principal of Carey Ridge Elementary for the past 10 years, has been named as the first principal of Westfield Elementary School, effective July 2026.

With 28 years of experience in education, Hilton has been a dedicated leader within WWS, having previously served as assistant principal at both Maple Glen Elementary and Carey Ridge Elementary before assuming his current leadership role. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his strong relationships with students, families, and staff, as well as his commitment to creating a welcoming environment where every child feels valued.

Reflecting on his time at Carey Ridge, Hilton shared, “I am deeply grateful for the students, families, and staff at Carey Ridge. Their trust, energy, and dedication have made my years there truly memorable. Each day, I’ve been inspired by the joy, curiosity, and resilience of our students.”

Hilton added, “As I look forward to joining the Westfield Elementary family, I am excited to meet our students and families and continue building a school community that celebrates learning, growth, and connection.”

Hilton earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s in School Administration from Ball State University. His leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, positivity, and a student-centered approach, which align perfectly with Westfield’s mission to prepare students to be Life-Ready.

Known for his approachable leadership style, Hilton is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and engaging environment where every student can thrive. According to WWS, he is a great choice to lead Westfield Elementary, and he plans to work closely with families and staff to ensure that Westfield Elementary is a place where students feel welcomed, supported, and excited to learn.

Outside of school, Hilton enjoys spending time outdoors with his family. He and his wife Angie have three children: Justin, 19, a college sophomore; Drew, 18, a high school senior; and Kylie, 16, a high school sophomore.

Annette Patchett

Annette Patchett has been named the next principal of Shamrock Springs Elementary School. She currently serves as the principal of Westfield Intermediate School and brings 33 years of experience in education, spanning developmental preschool through eighth grade.

Patchett holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Ball State University, a Master of Arts in Education/Administration, and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Oakland City University. She is also in the final stages of completing her Doctor of Education (Ed.D) from Oakland City University. Her professional licenses include K-12 Administration and Elementary Education (1-6), with additional certifications in Gifted and Talented Education.

Since moving to Westfield in 2004, Patchett has been deeply involved in the community.

“There is something special about working and living in the same community,” she said. “As a parent of two Shamrock Springs alumni, I’ve experienced firsthand the dedication and amazing collaborative culture of this school. I am more than excited for this opportunity.”

Patchett embraces a leadership philosophy inspired by Stephen Covey’s words: “Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves.”

As she transitions into her new role, Patchett recognizes the legacy she follows.

“Following Mr. Hedges will be no easy task,” she said. “My goal is to continue building strong relationships with families, students, and teachers. By working collaboratively, we will make Shamrock Springs Elementary a school where everyone feels they belong and learning is an adventure.”

Outside of school, Patchett is a proud sports mom who loves spending time at games cheering on her sons – her oldest from the sidelines as a coach and her youngest out on the field as a player. Her oldest, a Westfield High School graduate, earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and is now living his dream as a college football coach. Her youngest is a seventh grader at Westfield Middle School, a passionate learner who loves baseball and football.

“We are all ROCKS,” Patchett said. “I’m thrilled to return to my elementary school roots and begin this new journey. Go ROCKS!”

Craig Tierney

Craig Tierney has joined the district as Communications and PR Coordinator, bringing more than a decade of communications and marketing expertise to support the district’s continued growth.

Tierney, a proud K-12 Westfield alumnus (Class of 2012), returns to the community where his educational journey began.

As Communications and PR Coordinator, Tierney will work to keep families, faculty, and the community informed about district initiatives, feature student activities and achievements, strengthen connections between the community and its schools, and more. He will report directly to Superintendent Dr. John Atha.

“We have great things happening every day in our schools, what we proudly call The Shamrock Experience,” Dr. Atha said. “Our educators are doing incredible work to support our students and community, and I’m thrilled to have Craig, who recognizes this excellence and will help us acknowledge this work and share it beyond our walls. His return to Westfield Washington Schools is an example of the strong connections and pride that make this school district so special.”

Tierney’s appointment comes as Westfield continues to grow as both a community and school district, working toward its vision of ensuring “All Rocks Are Life Ready” through the Destination Westfield initiative.

“A lot has changed about Westfield since my time as a student, but the core values of respect, responsibility, and hard work have remained,” Tierney said. “There are many reasons Westfield is growing at such a fast pace. It’s a great place to live and a great place to learn. I can’t wait to use my education, fostered by this school district, to contribute back to the community.”

Tierney joins Westfield Washington Schools after nearly four years as Marketing Manager at Resultant, where he developed and executed campaigns across public and private sectors through digital strategies, thought leadership initiatives, and organic engagement tactics. Previously, as Communications Manager at Kenzie Academy, he established and grew student communications, collaborated with executive leadership to strengthen messaging, and contributed to the organization’s successful acquisition by Southern New Hampshire University.

His experience also includes coordinating content and communications with marketers from more than 30 countries at Trouw Nutrition. And with over a decade of experience as a marketing consultant, Tierney has also worked with small businesses and nonprofit organizations through freelance engagements. He prides himself on engaging, yet no-frills, messaging practices.

Tierney holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Strategic Communication and Psychology from Butler University, where he graduated with high honors.

He can relate to today’s students navigating district growth, as he was among the first students to attend Washington Woods Elementary when it opened in 2003, having moved from Washington Elementary (before returning after the building’s transition into Westfield Intermediate School).

When he’s not planning and executing communications, Tierney enjoys Muay Thai training at Fishers KruFit, amateur photography (including submitting photos to the Indiana State Fair), and taking his rescue dog for pup cups.