Tihesha Henderson

Tihesha Henderson is an Indianapolis native and Indianapolis Public Schools alumna. She is the Head of School at Sankofa School of Success (formerly Arlington Woods School 99) and has served in multiple principal capacities during her 18-year career with IPS. As Principal of Sankofa and School 99 since 2012, Henderson has overseen the implementation of the Project: RESTORE school turnaround model and designed her school’s framework for Social Emotional Learning as a member of the Autonomy Pilot Cohort in 2016. Previously, she served as principal of IPS’ Joyce Kilmer Academy School 69 and Charles W. Fairbanks School 105. Henderson earned her Principal’s License and M.A. in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University and her B.A. in Elementary Education from Indiana State University.

Henderson was an Innovation School Fellow with The Mind Trust from 2018-2019.

In close partnership with Eastern Star Church, Sankofa School of Success operates from a trauma-informed lens as it aims to teach and develop the whole child through social emotional learning and culturally responsive teaching practices. 

Tihesha Henderson’s led the Arlington Woods School 99 community to seek Innovation Network School status. The school serves K-6 and plans to launched in fall 2020 as part of IPS’ Innovation School Network.