TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Only a few days into the new school year for Vigo County Schools and it holds a special meaning for a local family.

Mika Cassell is the principal of Dixie Bee Elementary School, and this year a part of her work family is her biological family.

“Education is very strong in our family and Dixie Bee is a wonderful school and we consider it a family. I tell the boys and girls and the parents that when their children are at school they’re my children and so we treat them as family members and so it’s been really awesome to be able to have my own family members here to help out as well,” said Cassell.

Cassell has nieces and in-laws that work in various positions throughout the school. Cassell said she gets to see them more on a daily basis which has been extra special.

Cassell has been the principal of Dixie Bee for 15 years.