Classrooms

Mr. Lashenik

I have been a 5th Grade Teacher at LIS for 21 years.

Subjects Taught:

I teach Language Arts and Social Studies.

Hobbies/Interests:

I enjoy traveling, walking my dog, and fixing other people's ball marks at golf courses.

Mrs. Ellis

My bio is coming soon!

Mrs. Morrow

My bio is coming soon!

Mrs. Olson

I taught for five years as an Elementary Substitute Teacher and one year as a 5th grade RTI teacher at LIS.  I am starting my 12th year at LIS as a 5th grade teacher.

Subjects taught:

I teach Language Arts and Social Studies in Fifth grade.

Hobbies/Interests:

I enjoy decorating, watching/cheering on the Chicago Blackhawks, reading, crocheting, going to the movies, spending time with my family.

Mrs. Petro

This is my 31st year of teaching.  I have taught at Bailly Elementary and Liberty Intermediate for 22 years.

Subjects taught:

I currently teach Math and Science in Fifth grade at LIS.  I am in charge of the LIS STEM club.

Hobbies/Interests:

I enjoy hiking, biking, gardening, reading, and tennis.

Mrs. Ritter

My bio is coming soon!

Mrs. Simmons

I graduated from Valpo High School and then studied at Purdue University earning an Elementary degree in 1995. My first teaching job was at Liberty Elementary in 5th grade. I went on to earn a Master's degree from Purdue University. I have served on many committees over the years and currently run the LIS Student Council, Red Ribbon Week and am the 5th grade level leader.

Subjects Taught:

Language Arts and Social Studies

Hobbies/Interests:

I love spending time at the lakeshore. Whether it be the sunset or sunrise, I will be found looking for beachglass, crinoids, or fascinating rocks. I enjoy cooking, relaxing in my backyard and listening to the birds. I also love to garden. Sunflowers are my favorite flower! I even can my fresh vegetables. Overall, I love to travel and spend time with my family. I feel very blessed to be a teacher and live the life I have built. 

Mrs. Thomas

My bio is coming soon!

Mrs. VanNostran

I have a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Purdue University. I have been teaching since 1995. I have been in Duneland since 1997, and in 5th grade since 1999.

Subjects taught:

I teach Math and Science in Fifth grade.  I help out with the LIS Robotics team and am in charge of the LIS Yearbook.

Hobbies/Interests:

I enjoy scrapbooking and reading.

Mrs. Berry

This will be my 27th year teaching (17 in Chesterton and 10 in Logansport, Indiana). I have taught 6th, 5th, 4th, and 2nd grades.

Subject taught:

6th grade math and 6th grade advanced math

Hobbies/Interests:

I enjoy reading, walking, music, and having fun with friends.

Mrs. Krutz

Subjects taught:

I teach Language Arts in Sixth grade.

Hobbies/Interests:

Mrs. Michelle Mercon

I graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington with a marketing degree and worked in the business field for almost 10 years.  Nothing ever seemed like a good fit for me until I decided to go back to school for teaching to pursue my passion.  I was a kindergarten and third grade instructional aide at Yost for a year and have been a kindergarten teacher at Bailly since 2011.  In my free time, I love doing arts and crafts, camping with my family, hiking, skiing, biking, and if I have the chance, relaxing on the couch and watching a movie!

Mrs. Nelson

I have been teaching for 21 years. I graduated from Valparaiso University.

Subjects taught:

I have taught 1st, 2nd and 4th grades.  Now I am teaching Science and Social Studies in sixth grade.

Hobbies/Interests:

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, hiking, and doing puzzles.

Mr. Ray

I earned an Elementary Education degree at Ball State University and have been teaching at Duneland for the past 27 years.  I coach Boys' Cross Country and Boys' Basketball at Chesterton High School.

Subjects taught:

I teach Math and Language Arts in Sixth grade.  

Hobbies/Interests:

Mrs. Wood

My bio is coming soon!

For assignments and class information, please log in to Canvas.

Mr. Young

This is my 11th year of teaching at LIS.

Subjects taught:

I teach Health, Science and Social Studies.

Hobbies/Interests:

I enjoy billiards, golf, disc golf, cooking, and going to the beach.

Ms. Meyer

This is my first year of teaching at LIS.

Subject taught:

I teach Exceptional Learning for both Fifth and Sixth grades.

Hobbies/Interests:

Mrs. Lee

Subject taught:

Hobbies/Interests:

Mrs. Weller

Subject taught:

Hobbies/Interests:

Mrs. Sulkowski

I began my teaching career in Illinois in Special Education, self-contained setting. I received my Master’s degree in Special Education while teaching direct special ed. classes in high school. After a while, I moved to the upper peninsula of Michigan and taught direct and co-taught special education classes in high school there. In 2011, I moved to Indiana and started teaching in Duneland. 

Subject taught:

I currently co-teach Language Arts and Math in 6th grade, along with Leveled Literacy Intervention and resource classes for 5th and 6th grade.

Hobbies/Interests:

When I am not teaching, I like to paint and repurpose things, sometimes I teach painting classes for an art gallery. I spend a lot of time outdoors gardening and doing yard work during the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, I enjoy cooking and baking for friends and family.

Ms. Kayla Sullivan

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education through Purdue Northwest. I completed my student teaching in 5th grade at LIS. After, I started my masters in special education through Youngstown State University. I also began teaching 6th grade at Pine Elementary in Michigan City at the same time. In 2023, I began my journey in working with special education at WIS. 

Hobbies: 

When I am not at school, you can find me at the LaPorte County Animal Shelter during the weekdays and the Porter County Animal Shelter on the weekends. I also love to read when I have time. Each year I hope to plan a trip to Disney World as it is my favorite place to be. 

Mrs. Troy

Teaching is a second career for me! I originally earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Valparaiso University. After spending some time in human resources, I decided to enroll in the Transition to Teaching program to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher. This is now my 11th year of teaching. I taught 2nd grade for five years and then I taught Project Lead the Way (PLTW) to K-4th grade students for five years in LaPorte, Indiana. I will now be teaching PLTW to the 5th and 6th grade students at both Liberty and Westchester Intermediate Schools. I received my master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan and I also earned the National Certificate for STEM Teaching from NISE (National Institute of STEM Education).

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, and reading.

Mr. Arizzi

Mr. Arizzi has taught in the Duneland School Corporation for eighteen years– six of those years as the WIS Band Director! During his time in the DSC, he has been involved with all levels of band programming, from teaching sixth grade beginning band to the CHS Trojan Guard Marching Band. He has also taught middle school jazz band, pep band, and high school orchestra. As a trombone player, Mr. Arizzi received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Indiana University and his Master of Music Education Degree from Vandercook College of Music. 

Mr. Arizzi enjoys performing, composing, and arranging music. He loves basketball and is a die-hard IU basketball fan!  Mr. Arizzi's other non-musical interests include becoming a Youtube star after the recent success of his "Band Guy" viral video.  Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fc6qyG3Yi4

For assignments and class information, please log in to Canvas.

Mrs. Christensen

For assignments and class information, please log in to Canvas.

Mrs. Garrett

For assignments and class information, please log in to Canvas.

Mrs. Plant

I have taught at Portage Township Schools for one year and at Dunleand School Corporation for the past 13 years.

Subjects taught:

I teach General Music, Band, and Choir.

Hobbies/Interests:

I enjoy music and making crafts.

Mrs. Britzke

I have been working at LIS since February 2017.

Subject taught:

I help with all subjects in fifth grade with a focus on math and reading. I work in the classroom and also lead small, specialized groups for any students who might need extra support.

Hobbies/Interests:

I love to spend time with my family, friends, and my three dogs.

Mrs. Herron

I have been working at LIS since February 2017.

Subject taught:

I help with all subjects in fifth grade with a focus on math and reading. I work in the classroom and also lead small, specialized groups for any students who might need extra support.

Hobbies/Interests:

I love to spend time with my family, friends, and my three dogs.

Mrs. Lee

Subject taught:

I help in every classroom and subjects.  I also assist a Sixth Grade LLI group.

Hobbies/Interests:

Reading, Scrapbooking, Crafts of any kind, Spending time with family and friends 

Mrs. VanderWoude

I have been an Instructional Aide at LIS since 2015, taught 4th grade in Texas a long time ago, and an aide in 3rd and 2nd grades at DeMotte Elementary School. 

Subject taught:

I help out in TT Math and Reading and also in any other classes that need it.  I assist a Sixth Grade LLI group.

Hobbies/Interests:

Reading, spending time with family, playing games on my Ipad.