DuneNews

The Duneland School Corporation is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 “Teachers of the Year” and “Employee of the Year” Recognition Program. The winners are:

Elementary Teacher of the Year – Russ Hardsock, Yost Elementary School;

Secondary Teacher of the Year – George Fox, Chesterton High School; and

Employee of the Year – Shauna Jesse, Chesterton High School - Resource Officer

Students, former students, parents, colleagues, administrators, or members of the community were able to nominate a DSC teacher and/or classified employee for this recognition program earlier this year. A selection committee made up of DSC administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community members narrowed down the nominations and interviewed the final nominees before selecting a winner for each category.

Finalists in each of the categories were:

2025 DSC Teacher of the Year Finalists

Secondary Teachers:

Kim Connelly - Liberty Middle School
Theresa Keilman - Westchester Middle School
Suzanne Amling - Chesterton High School
Rachel Blythe - Chesterton High School
George Fox - Chesterton High School
Amy Weil - Chesterton High School

K-6 Teachers:

Russ Hardsock - Yost Intermediate School
Martha Hiestand - Westchester Intermediate School
Kyla Jagiela - Brummitt Elementary School
Kate Meyer - Liberty Intermediate School
David Mueller - Liberty Elementary School
Susan Rehtorik - Bailly Elementary School
Rhiannon Ashley - Trojan Learning Center

Amber Tarnowski - Jackson Elementary School

2025 DSC Employee of the Year Finalists

Classified Employees:

Kyle Goranson - DSC Facilities Manager
Shauna Jesse - CHS Resource Officer
Tara Miller -DSC Info Technology Technician
Lisa Ribar - Brummitt Elementary Adm. Asst.
Amber Wise - CHS Child Nutrition Asst. Site Lead

This year's winners were awarded at their school/work location by DSC administrators.

Each of the winners received a $500 monetary stipend from the following local sponsors:

Lane One Foundation – Elementary Teacher of the Year

1st Source Bank – Secondary Teacher of the Year

Ellis Electric Inc. – Employee of the Year

The 2025 winners will be recognized at the May 5, 2025 School Board meeting, Beginning of the Year Programs in August, in DSC publications, website, and social media and on a plaque displayed at Central Office. Winners will also receive a classroom/office door banner along with a monetary stipend of $500. Thank you to 1st Source Bank, Lane One Foundation, and Ellis Electric for continuing to sponsor the recognition program. In addition, Teacher of the Year winners will be eligible for statewide recognition as part of the Indiana Department of Education competition and a plaque honoring the winners is on display at the Duneland School Corporation Administration Center.

Above, Mr. Russ Hardsock with his third grade class and LaneOne Foundation sponsors Paul Pallas and Todd Elliott. Also pictured is Principal Josh Huwig.

"In the classroom, Russ has this natural way of connecting with students," said Andrea Street, 2nd grade level coordinator and teacher. "He makes learning feel approachable, even fun. He knows how to challenge students in a way that builds their confidence, not their stress levels. And no matter what’s going on, you can always count on him to show up with patience, empathy, and a sense of humor."

"A great teacher is not only great within the four walls of their classroom, but also one who makes the entire school community better," shared Josh Huwig, principal at Yost Elementary.

Above, left to right, DSC Superintendent Dr. Chip Pettit, Elementary Teacher of the Year sponsor Paul Pallas of L1 LaneOne Foundation, Principal Josh Huwig, Elementary teacher of the Year Russ Hardsock, DSC Assistant Superintendent Robert McDermott, Elementary Teacher of the Year sponsor Todd Elliott of L1 LaneOne Foundation, Director of Teaching & Learning Donna Biggs, and Assistant Principal Rebecca Holmen.

.

Above, Mr. George Fox with his class, Secondary Teacher of the Year sponsor 1st Source Bank representative Tricia Lahey; Director of Exceptional Learning Jennifer Bognar; Coordinator of Exceptional Learning Ezra Burke; and Principal Brent Martinson.

In 1997, he moved to Salt Lake City and worked as an assistant in an ESL classroom and later in a middle school teaching Algebra. While attending evening classes for his teaching certification, he landed his first full-time teaching job at Cyprus High School in Utah.

In August 2000, he moved to the Duneland area for a Special Education position at CHS. Initially, he taught self-contained classes but now co-teaches. He believes education has changed a lot, and he has adapted well. His diverse experiences emphasize the importance of teaching every student individually, regardless of their circumstances.

"Education has changed a lot over the years, and I believe I have done a good job of changing with it," said Fox. "I believe I do a good job of balancing the requirements of being a Teacher of Record for students on my caseload while also teaching my day-to-day classes with four colleagues."

Working in a variety of settings, in many diverse communities, has taught him the importance of teaching every student as an individual, whether they have an IEP, 504 plan, or not. He continues to help students make progress regardless of the circumstances of a student's life and school day.

Ezra Burke, coordinator for Exceptional Learning at CHS, shared his enjoyment of working with George for the past two years and knowing him in special education for over a decade. He praised his teaching passion, positivity, and commitment to students and the school community. Burke added, "This year, George took on a new role as a mentor teacher through the Duneland Leadership Academy. He meets regularly with a first-year special education teacher, offering guidance on instructional strategies and special education processes. His support in writing IEPs and facilitating family conferences has laid a strong foundation for this new educator's success."

Above, left to right, Director of Teaching and Learning Donna Biggs, Superintendent Dr. Chip Pettit, Secondary Teacher of the Year recipient George Fox, and Representative Tricia Lahey of First Source Bank, sponsor of the Secondary Teacher of the Year award; Director of Exceptional Learning Jennifer Bognar, Coordinator of Exceptional Learning Ezra Burke and Assistant Superintendent Robert McDermott.

.

Officer Jesse has been working as a School Resource Officer at Chesterton High School since Spring of 2022. Initially, she was hesitant to apply for the SRO position because working with juveniles did not appeal to her. However, after encouragement from Lt. Joe Christian and Sgt. Chris Swickard, she decided to give it a chance. “Serving as a School Resource Officer at Chesterton High School has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career in law enforcement,” said Jesse.

“I learned that being an SRO is about building positive relationships with students, which makes the job special.” She focuses on mentoring, collaborating with staff, and ensuring safety. Additionally, she has been working toward her Workplace Specialist teaching license and has started teaching a Principles of Criminal Justice class. She is finding joy in connecting with students and introducing them to law enforcement.

“During her short time at Chesterton High School, Officer Jesse has made a tremendous impact on both staff and students,” said CHS Counselor Gretchen Arthur. “The education profession talks a lot about building relationships and students finding their "go-to" person. She is that person for so many students at CHS. When she goes to the Cafeteria to supervise breakfast or lunch, she is immediately surrounded by students wanting to check-in with her or just share news about their day.”

Arthur refers to her as ‘The Teenager Whisper’ because students genuinely like and trust her. She makes students feel ‘seen’ and ‘known’.

Above, left to right,CHS Student Resource Officer (SRO) Chris Swickard, Employee of the Year recipient and CHS SRO Shauna Jesse, Chesterton Police Department (CPD) Chief Tim Richardson and CPD Asst. Police Chief Cisco Rodriguez.

.

Email: bmartinson@duneland.k12.in.us

Website: www.duneland.k12.in.us
Location: 601 West Morgan Avenue, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: 219-983-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dunelandschools/
Twitter: @dunelandk12