Classrooms

Mr. Lashenik

I have been a 5th Grade Teacher at LIS since 2001.

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. Morrow

I graduated from the University of Evansville in 2012 and have been teaching for 13 years. Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and I enjoy watching students grow both academically and personally throughout the school year.

Subjects taught:

I teach fifth grade English Language Arts classes.

Hobbies/Interests:

Outside of the classroom, my life is full of family and community. I’m a proud parent of two children who are active in sports and 4-H, which keeps us busy year-round with practices, games, and shows. I also enjoy coaching softball. Traveling is another passion of mine, and one of my biggest dreams is to visit all 50 states. My family has been raising pigs since I was little, and I continue to help out on the farm. My children are fourth-generation 4-Hers and are carrying on our family’s tradition of hard work, responsibility, and dedication through 4-H.

Mrs. Olson

I taught for five years as an Elementary Substitute Teacher and one year as a 5th grade RTI teacher at LIS.  I started teaching at LIS as a 5th grade teacher in 2010.

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. Ritter

This is my 4th year teaching 5th grade at LIS.  I graduated from Purdue University North Central with a bachelor’s degree in education.  After graduation I taught kindergarten and 2nd grade before taking time off to stay at home with my young children.  When my youngest child started kindergarten, I spent the year substitute teaching and spent 6 years fulfilling 5 long term substitute teaching positions and gained experience in various grade levels.  I am passionate about teaching, making a difference, and building relationships with my students. 

Subjects taught:

I teach Math and Science in fifth grade.

Hobbies/Interests:

In my spare time I love to help my kids with their 4-H animals, bake, shop, snow ski, hike, and travel with my family! 

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. 

Ms. Smith

This is my first year teaching! I student taught at Bailly Elementary in 3rd grade. I graduated from Western Governors University. 

Subjects taught:

I am currently teaching 5th grade math and science.

Hobbies/Interests:

I love going to the beach, I am quite the beach glass collector and love walking the trails at the Dunes. 

Mrs. Thomas

This is my 6th year teaching. I graduated from Manchester University where I studied Elementary Education and played soccer.

Subjects taught:

I teach 5th grade Math/Science.

Hobbies/Interests:  

I love spending time with my two dogs & husband during my time at home. I spend a lot of my time away from school coaching high school and club soccer. I graduated from Chesterton and I also went to Liberty Intermediate School!

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.

Ms. Ellis

I started teaching fifth grade at LIS in 2024 and this year I am teaching sixth grade.  I graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in English Language Arts.  

Subjects taught:

I teach English Language Arts.  This year I am coaching volleyball and robotics plus running the News Crew. 

Hobbies/Interests:

My favorite things to do outside of school are to read, visit the beach and my college town, do puzzles, and cook! 

Mrs. Hicks

I started teaching sixth grade at LIS in 2024.   

Subjects taught:

Hobbies/Interests:

Mrs. Krutz

Subjects taught:

I teach Language Arts in Sixth grade.

Hobbies/Interests:

Mrs. 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.  

Subjects taught:

Now, I am teaching English Language Arts in sixth grade.

Hobbies/Interests:

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. Nixon

This is my 14th year teaching and my first year at LIS. Before joining LIS, I spent the last eight years teaching at the elementary level and also have experience in Special Education. I graduated from Indiana University Northwest and currently teach 6th grade math—my favorite subject to teach!

Subjects taught:

I teach sixth grade math.

Hobbies/Interests:

Outside of school, I enjoy watching sports, playing guitar, reading, cooking, and riding my bike. My wife is also a teacher, and together we have three children, including a set of identical twins.

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Mr. Ray

I earned an Elementary Education degree at Ball State University and have been teaching at Duneland for the past 29 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

This is my 12th year of teaching.  I graduated from IUPUI.

Subjects taught:

I teach sixth Grade Science and Social Studies.

Hobbies/Interests:

I love to travel and explore cultures from all over the world.  I also love to read and spend time with my family at the beach

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

Ms. Meyer

I earned a bachelor's degree in English and an area certificate in African Studies from Indiana University - Bloomington, and a master of arts in teaching from National-Louis University. I have been a teacher for 15 years, and have taught in both general education and special education settings. 

Subject taught:

Currently, I am an exceptional learning teacher for grades 5-8 at Liberty Intermediate and Middle School, specializing in programming for students with intensive behavioral needs.

Hobbies/Interests:

I love to travel, cook, and read.

Mrs. Lee

I teach Applied Skills (EXL) at Liberty Intermediate/Middle School.  I have been teaching at LIS since 2023.  I graduated from Butler University with degrees in Music and Psychology, and am working towards a Masters in Special Education. 

Subjects taught:

I teach Applied Skills (EXL) for both Fifth through Eighth grades.

Hobbies/Interests:

In my free time, I love hanging out with my husband and son, running, baking, and seeing live music. 

Mrs. Weller

I have been teaching at LIS since.  I graduated from Purdue University.

Subject taught:

I teach Exceptional Learning for both Fifth and Sixth grades.

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. 

Mr. Young

This is my 13th year of teaching at LIS.

Subjects taught:

I teach PLTW/Coding to all fifth and sixth grades.

Hobbies/Interests:

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

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

This is my 11th year teaching.  I taught for eight years in Portage, and this is my third year in Duneland. 

 graduated from IU Bloomington. 

Subjects taught:

I teach 5th-8th grade orchestra at LIMS. 

Hobbies/Interests:

Some of my hobbies include hiking, being outside in general, playing violin, reading, and spending time with my family.

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

Mrs. Garrett

Mrs. Kristen Garrett is in her fourth year of teaching choir in Duneland.  She previously taught elementary music for 17 years, with nine of those years as Jackson Elementary's music teacher. Prior to her time at Duneland, Mrs. Garrett taught eight years in a suburb outside of Denver, Colorado. Mrs. Garrett earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Valparaiso University (majoring in voice) and her Master of Arts in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in gifted education from the University of Connecticut. Throughout her career she has led school-wide musicals, directed school and district-wide choral ensembles, worked to create K-12 music curriculum, and served on several district-wide committees regarding instruction and scheduling, in addition to her work with students in the general music classroom.

Subjects taught:

Mrs. Garrett teaches Choir to sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

Hobbies/Interests:

Mrs. Garrett enjoys traveling, baking, and going on "adventures" (anything from exploring a new park to taking a trip to Costco) with her husband and their son.

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 16 years.

Subjects taught:

I teach General Music.

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.