Mrs. Becker

I am thrilled to start my 4th year at CMS teaching 8th grade English. Previously, I taught 7th grade English at CMS, 5th grade in Portage, IN, and many grade levels in Czechia, making this my 27th year of teaching. I graduated from Western Governors University with a degree in Elementary Education. I later received a certification in teaching English grades K-12.

I was born in Suriname, South America to parents who were from the Unites States. After moving to the US, I attended schools in several different US States. After college, I married my husband and we soon moved to Czechia, in Europe, where we lived for 16 years. I have been fortunate to travel around the world and experience life in many different places.

Outside of school, I enjoy traveling, making music, reading, gardening, quilting, camping, hiking, and bike riding in addition to spending time with my husband, family, and two golden retrievers. I am priviledged to be part of this amazing community of students, teachers, and families.

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Mr. Clark

I began teaching at CMS in 2021 after graduating from IU Northwest with a degree in Secondary Education. This will be my third year teaching English 7. In addition to teaching, I coach freshman football at CHS and 7th grade girls basketball at CMS.

My interests include spending time with my family, following Region high school sports, and suffering through Bears and Cubs seasons.

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Mrs. Clindaniel

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Ms. Graupner

I graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2016, and have been teaching at Chesterton Middle School ever since. At school, I studied English, Secondary Education, English as a New Language Education, and School Counseling Psychology. Over the years I have taught 7th and 8th grade English, as well as honors English at both levels, and a discontinued Public Speaking Related Arts Course. I am also the head director of the Drama Club, which puts on a spring comedy each year. I feel very lucky to work at Liberty Middle School, sharing my love for language and literature with our future leaders. 

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Mrs. Hadley

I attended Washtenaw Community College in Michigan and graduated in 1987 with an associate degree in Juvenile Justice. After graduating, I worked at a group home for teen boys as an activity director. I was a stay-at-home mother from 1989-2001. I then went to Indiana University Northwest, where I earned my BS in Secondary Education/English, and then continued my studies at IUN and earned my Masters Degree in Special Education. I have worked at: Chesterton High School 2004-2011; Ben Franklin Middle School 2011-2013; Chesterton Middle School 2013-present. I am currently the department chair of the special education department at CMS, as well as a speech coach at Chesterton High School. I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, traveling, yoga and meditation, watching British crime shows, and playing with my 3 large dogs (Boxadors!).

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Mrs. Amanda McCrovitz

Mrs. Shalonda Henderson

Mr. Prow

I graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education (Physical Education/Health). I then started my teaching career at Merrillville High School for 5 years from 2009-2014. This is my 3rd year teaching swimming at Chesterton Middle School (2014-current). I am also the Assistant Boys Tennis coach for Chesterton High School from 2014-current and Assistant CMS Tennis coach from 2015-current. 

I enjoy spending time with family, playing games, playing sports, and golfing.

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Mrs. Stento

Mr. Storm

I grew up in Lebanon, Indiana, just north of Indianapolis. I attended Ball State to earn my Bachelor's Degree in Education.  I enjoy serving as an assistant football coach, and am a huge sports fan. The Colts, Pacers, and Reds top my list of favorites. My wife and I have two young daughters, and we enjoy outdoor activities, spending time with family, playing with our dog, and traveling.

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Mr. Eliser

I obtained a Bachelor's Degree from Youngstown State University for Social Sciences in Secondary Education. I have been teaching since 2009 in Ohio, Florida, and now Indiana. This will be my 5th year at Duneland. This will be my first year teaching at CMS. Prior to this year, I was the Duneland Alternative School Teacher. I coach on the varsity football and track teams. I am also an assistant coach for the Chesterton High School 9th grade basketball team. My interests are spending time with my family, which include my five nieces and nephews, coaching, golfing, traveling, and being a professional binge watcher, especially with Marvel and Star Wars shows. 

Mr. McCormack

I obtained a Bachelor's Degree from Purdue University in Political Science, Economics, Psychology and Sociology.  I earned a Master's Degree in Academic Administration from Indiana University Northwest.  I started teaching for the Duneland School Corporation in 1993 at Chesterton High School.  Over the years, I have taught and been the Head Football Coach at Andrean High School, Hobart High School and Portage High School.  After spending several years as an Athletic Director at Portage High School, I made the decision to go back into the classroom and teach.  This is my first year back at Chesterton although I spent nine years at Duneland earlier in my career.  I live in Chesterton with my wife Jenny and my two children (Riley 17 and Brady 15).  I coach football at Chesterton High School.  My interests include coaching, fishing and watching my children grow and play sports.  

Mr. Tuzinski

I graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Secondary Education in 2020. I currently coach high school football and track and middle school boys and girls basketball. My personal interests include all types of sports and traveling throughout the country. I'm an avid Colts, Cubs, and Hoosiers fan! 

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Miss Chamberlain

I have a Bachelors of the Arts in Elementary Education from Purdue University and a Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision from Ball State University. I am a successful product of the Duneland School Corporation and am excited to give back to the community that has supported me. This will be my 10th year teaching and 2nd year teaching Math. I have previously taught Science, Technology, Business, and College and Career Readiness classes. 

When I am not teaching, I coach 7th grade volleyball and I love to spend time with family and friends. I enjoy cooking, exercising, and playing with my two dogs.

Mrs. Connelly

I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math and Education from Valparaiso University and a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. I have been teaching 24 years for Duneland School Corporation(Westchester Middle school for 2 years and Chesterton Middle School for 22 years). I am also the Math Academic Team Coach.  

Mr. Jacob McCallister

Mrs. Novreske

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Math Education from Indiana University. This is my 28th year of teaching, my 7th year at CMS and my 8th year at Duneland.  Prior to teaching at Duneland, I taught at Purdue North Central, Ivy Tech, Portage Adult High School, and for the State of Indiana Department of Corrections. I was a finalist for the 2023 Secondary Teacher of the Year at Duneland and take great pride in the accomplistments of our students in the middle school Foundations program.

In my free time, I enjoy seeing Broadway musicals with anyone that will join me, camping and spending time with my family. I love watching my youngest daughter in her various music activities at the high school and spending time with my 2 year old grandson.

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Mr. Vince Arizzi

Mr. Arizzi has taught in the Duneland School Corporation for 19 years, with 13 years as the CMS Band Director. During his time in the DSC, he has been involved with all levels of the band program, from teaching 6th-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!

For more information visit the CMS Music Department pages.

Mrs. Jessica Christensen

Mrs. Christensen has taught orchestra for the past 8 years at Willowcreek Middle School in Portage, but she is very excited to join the amazing Chesterton music team this year! Mrs. Christensen graduated from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University with a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Violin Performance in 2015. She received Quinlan and Fabish's "Michiana Outstanding Music Educator Award" in 2020 and Indiana American String Teacher Association's "New Teacher of the Year" award in 2017. She serves on the board for the Indiana chapter of the American String Teachers Association and is very passionate about being involved in string education at the state level.

When she in not teaching, Mrs. Christensen loves playing her violin, playing with her dog, being outside in nature, going on adventures with her husband, reading, and eating chocolate ice cream.

Mrs. Kristen Garrett

Mrs. Galloway

I graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in Biology and Earth Space Science. I have a Master's in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. I’ve been teaching science in Duneland for over 20 years.  I love walking, reading, shopping and going to the beach.

Mrs. Schugars

Mrs. Jeannette White

Mr. Frencl

I grew up in Chesterton and graduated from Chesterton High School in 2019. I attended Indiana University where I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education. This will be my first year teaching, but I completed my student teaching at CMS and am very familiar and excited to join the staff in my new role! This year I will teach the PLTW courses offered at CMS! When not in the classroom, I coach football and track and field. My personal interests include health and fitness, golfing, fishing and anything IU related.

Mrs. Nibert

Mr. Jason Gast

I received a Bachelor of Science in Visual Arts Ed with a Minor in Ceramics, with a concentration in Printmaking from Ball State. I also received a Masters Degree in Ceramics from Ball State. I taught at Griffith High School from 2001-2012. I have been teaching Art and sponsoring Art Club at CMS since 2012. In my spare time, I enjoy family, painting, art festivals, Spartan races, autocross, bowling, and movies.

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Mrs. Lorraine Hageman

 have been teaching French at the middle and high school levels since 2005. My first degree is a B.A. in French: International Studies from Purdue University Northwest (previously Purdue Calumet), for which I completed an immersion program through the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi in 1997. I returned to Purdue Northwest to obtain my teaching license in French. The students refer to me simply as Madame, and I teach French Level 1 at CMS and French Levels 1, 4, and 5 at CHS.

In my free time, my husband and I enjoy traveling both in the U.S. and abroad. We are often adopted by animals who need a home, and currently have 2 cats and a dog. My hobbies include needlework and genealogy, and I have been playing the flute for more than 30 years.

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Mr. Cary Knauff

I began my teaching career here in Duneland in 2011. It has been a wonderful place to teach! I teach German Level 1 here at CMS, then I spend the rest of my day teaching upper level German at CHS.  I enjoy reading and IU Hoosiers Sports.  I am a Cubs & Bears Fan, I enjoy spending time with my family, going to concerts, and watching movies. 

Classes Taught: German

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Mrs. Kristine Prater

This school year I will begin my 14th year of teaching.  I graduated from Anderson University with a degree in Sports Medicine and Spanish, and went on to earn my Masters degree in Education through Valparaiso University while working as an Athletic Trainer.  I began my teaching career at Boone Grove High School and Middle School teaching introductory courses as well as all levels of Spanish.  I am excited to be back at the middle school level this year and in the Duneland School District!

Mrs. Tsugawa

I am a Japanese native speaker. I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, Physical Education, and English from Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan, and my Master's Degree in Secondary Education from IUN. This is my 14th year teaching for Duneland School Corporation (both CMS and CHS). I previously worked for Highland Schools. I currently sponsor the CHS Japanese Club, CMS Japanese Club, and CHS Anime Club.  I received the 2018 "Japanese Teacher of the Year" from Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association (IFLTA).  I also received the 2019 "Secondary Teacher of the Year" for IFLTA. 

I love to do yoga, dance, travel, and read. 

Classes Taught: Japanese

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