About Dr. Chisum

As principal of Indian Trail Elementary, it is my passion to cultivate and facilitate a collaborative, positive learning environment of continuous learning and reflection through systems thinking processes, elevating critical thinking for all school community stakeholders, and building collegial partnerships with all community stakeholders for shared accountability for all learners. 

I believe that the constant variable of humankind is that people, in general, do not care what you know until it is known that you truly care.  As a result, it is my educational philosophy that we build relationships with our students so that they know that there are adults in this school community who genuinely care about each child's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual well-being. This only happens when parents and educators work in unison to communicate openly and frequently to improve learning for all children.  

It has been my honor and privilege to raise two amazing young men who are Indian Trail alumni.  I started my educational journey while my children attended school at Indian Trail.  I volunteered as their room mom and as a PTO parent.  As a substitute and interim teacher, I began to see the impact one could have on learning based on a positive attitude and a little fortitude.  As a result, I returned to school at Wingate University and obtained my Professional Educator's License to teach K-6 while serving as an Instructional Assistant at Indian Trail.  Once obtaining my license, I taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade.  I have also had the privilege of working with Central Services as an Instructional Technology Facilitator.  In 2017, I obtained my Education Specialist degree from Wingate University. In 2018, I continued to pursue further learning and obtained a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Wingate University.  These opportunities have enabled me to see how the whole puzzle fits together so that at the center of each working component are our students - no part working in isolation, but each part working in symphonic harmony so that each child is empowered to embrace lifelong learning.  My background has helped me to acquire substantial knowledge that makes me intuitive, personally relational, and 21st century driven.  It is my joy to be serving my home campus as an educational leader and I can't imagine anywhere else that I would rather be! 

Degrees and Certifications

• Doctorate of Educational Leadership, Wingate University
• Education Specialist Degree, Wingate University
• Masters in Art of Teaching, Wingate University, 2005
• National Board Teacher Certification, 2012
• Certification for Online Teaching, 2012
• Bachelors in Science of Music, Lee University, 1990

Contact Dr. Chisum

• Email: gina.chisum@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Mrs. Lustig

Katelyn Lustig is a native of New Hampshire, but has called the Indian Trail area home since 2006. She is thrilled to be joining the Indian Trail Elementary family. Mrs. Lustig earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Carolina University and immediately began teaching third grade at Sun Valley Elementary School. Throughout her time there, Mrs. Lustig was recognized as a Fox 46 Teacher Getting Results and was awarded teacher of the year for the 2017-2018 school year.

In August of 2017, she began pursuing a graduate degree in Educational Leadership. Shortly after starting her graduate program, she became an Instructional Coach for Union County where she served Union Elementary School. This was a pivotal role for Mrs. Lustig, as she gained invaluable experience supporting district-wide initiatives, developing curriculum, and partnering with teachers to help improve instructional practices. Mrs. Lustig graduated from Wingate University in December 2019 with a Master's degree in Educational Leadership.

In October 2018, Mrs. Lustig married her husband, Dylan. They are both avid New England sports fans (go Patriots) and enjoy spending their free time traveling, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Mrs. Lustig is committed to making a difference in the school she serves and always looks to enrich the learning experience for all students. She believes in the potential in every student to be prepared for the future and values strong community relationships.

Contact Mrs. Lustig

• Email: katelyn.lustig@ucps.k12.nc.us