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An integrated, place-based curriculum.

our teachers

Kellie Niepokoj-K

Hello Discovery Parents!  I am so looking forward to starting the school year with you and your children!  Here's a little blurb about me. I graduated from the University of Dayton (Go Flyers!) in 2008 with a Bachelor’s of Science and Education with a focus in Early Childhood Education.  For the past two years I have been teaching in a Kindergarten classroom in a northern suburb of Chicago.  I have absolutely fallen in love with Kindergarten and cannot wait to get "Hands On, Minds On and Experience Learning" with you and your children.  I hope you are as excited as I am to get the school year under way. See you in the fall!

Heather DeNormandie-K

Hello, I am Heather DeNormandie and I teach Kindergarten at Discovery. I have been a teacher for 6 years. Education is very important to me. In 2004 I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and in 2010, I obtained my Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. As an agent of education and a natural helper, I commit myself as an advocate for children’s well-being in all areas: academic, social, mental, and physical. Being a teacher at Discovery Charter School will allow me to connect with the families I serve and in our community. I am excited for our students to experience learning and I am honored to be part of the Discovery team!

Christine Woerner- 1

Hello parents and students!  My name is Christine Woerner.  I am a graduate of Purdue University Calumet.  I will be teaching in one of the first grade classrooms this coming year.  I have three years of experience teaching first grade.  I find children at this age to be a great joy because they have such a passion for learning.  Plus, first grade is where major jumps in reading occur.  It’s really rewarding to watch them progress from beginning readers to confident ones.

My whole life I’ve been interested in nature and the environment.  Because I’m now able to incorporate these two subjects into the profession I already love, I couldn’t be happier.  I am so honored to be a part of the Discovery teaching staff.  It’s going to be a great year!

Jennah Shearer-1

Hi! My name is Jennah Shearer and I will be teaching first grade at Discovery.  I graduated from Valparaiso University in December of 2009 with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a Reading Specialist endorsement. Since then, I have worked as a substitute teacher in Northwest Indiana and I took over a leave replacement for a teacher/new mother in first grade. I am so excited to be part of a new team and school and I look forward to meeting all of the students. It is a privilege to be working at Discovery and I look forward to sharing an exciting and rewarding year with everyone!

Jillian Michalak -1

Mrs. Michalak comes to Discovery with over 5 years of teaching experience.  She possesses a deep knowledge of balanced literacy, a warm spirit/demeanor, and a deep desire to help every child achieve at his/her level.

Jodi Santana-2

Hi!  My name is Jodi Santana.  Chesterton is home to my two daughters and me.  I graduated from Indiana University with highest distinction.  I have taught the last three years at an AQS charter school.  I grew up exploring, and enjoying the Indiana Dunes and look forward to sharing the many wonders our environment offers with your children.  I am thrilled to be part of the new Discovery Team and know this year will be filled with many wonderful and meaningful experiences!

Alyssa Jordan -2

Miss Jordan joined the Discovery team at the end of last year as a reading specialist.  She will bring her knowledge of student learning and caring personality to the classroom this year.

Lauren Candiano   -2

Mrs. Candiano will join Discovery with over 5 years of teaching experience.  She is able to balance her high expectations for students with patience and caring to help every child reach his/her potential.

Susan Essany -3

Mrs. Essany brings 5 years of third grade experience to Discovery.  She brings a passion for the environment coupled with a strong understanding of academic standards.

Shelly Williams-3

I am very excited to be a part of the Discovery Team.  I am a graduate of the University of Michigan.  I have been in the classroom teaching for a total of five years.  Most of that time was in second and third grade.  I am looking forward to being part of a new beginning where children and teachers will have a lot of hands on experiences and a chance to explore the world around us.

Ray Callahan-4

I am a 2006 graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor degree in Elementary Education and minors in both art and science.  I am currently in my 5th year of teaching ranging from 3rd to 8th.  Educating lifelong learners has been my mission and passion since I was 16.  I grew up in this area and am very familiar with Northern Indiana history especially the National Dunes Lakeshore where I worked as a water tester for many years.  I am a published author in a national teacher’s magazine and the recipient of the Indiana Council/National Council Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year.  I look forward with excitement at the possibilities that Discovery Charter School can offer and also look forward to educating my students and instilling the passion of learning into each of them this year.

Melissa Wilfinger-4

Coming soon!

Mike Simon-5

I am a native of Wisconsin and I received my Bachelor of Science degree from Taylor University in 2008.  While at Taylor I was a member of the Trojan football team as a wide receiver from 2004 through 2007.  I am extremely excited about the upcoming year and the opportunity to work and interact with students and community.  "The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn." John Lubbock

Lauren Allison-5

I am a 2010 graduate of Butler University where I received a Bachelor of Science in Early/Middle Childhood Education along with certification in Special Education-Mild Intervention and Reading.  Part of my Bachelor studies took place at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia where I studied Reggio Emilia education.  I am excited about the upcoming year at Discovery.  I want my students, and all the students at Discovery, to realize that they are embarking on a unique opportunity to experience learning in the most meaningful way possible-through their own community.

Holly Welsh -6th/7th Humanities

Mrs. Welsh joins Discovery as the 6th/7th ELA and Social Studies teacher.  Following long term substitute positions, Mrs. Welsh is thrilled to bring her passion for exploration of time period literature to the students at Discovery.

Nikki Dopka -6th/7th Math

Miss Dopka holds degrees in Environmental Studies and Education.  She has a passion for mathematics and joins Discovery with over 5 years of teaching experience.  She designs creative lesson plans aimed at achieving high standards of learning.

Shauna Magid -6th/7th Science

Miss Magid holds degrees in Wildlife Biology and Education.  It was while educating tribes in Kenya about land use, conservation and wildlife management that she decided to become an educator.  Miss Magid brings these experiences as well as classroom teaching experiences to Discovery.  She holds high expectations for mastery of Science content and process standards. 

Jennifer Frankowski -Integrated Technology

Mrs. Grady joins Discovery with over 4 years of classroom teaching experience.  She has a passion for technology and holds a Master’s Degree with a focus on technology integration. She will not only be working with students in learning the latest and greatest in technology, but also working closely with teachers to explore how technology can assist us in documenting and preserving our “place”.

Sarah Pavlovic -Place Based Education Specialist

 Mrs. Pavlovic was a part of the Discovery team for the 2010-2011 school year.  She holds a degree in Environmental Sciences and will bring her vast knowledge of place to the classroom as she assists teachers in making connections to our “place”.

Tessa Maguire- (K-3 Team Leader)

I am very excited to join the Discovery team as the K-3 Team Leader.  I attended Butler University for my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.  This year I will be completing my Master's Degree in Elementary Education at Ball State University and will be receiving a Reading Specialist License.  For three years I was a Title 1 and Reading Resource teacher.  In this position I assisted struggling readers and provided professional development in reading and differentiated instruction to the teachers in my building.  Last year I was a Differentiated Instruction coach and assisted the teachers in my building in meeting the needs of their children in the classroom.  I am very excited to be joining the team at Discovery!  As the K-2 team leader, I hope that I am able to effectively assist the teachers, and the entire Discovery team, in making this first year phenomenal!

Ernesto Martinez- (4-7 Team Leader)

I am a 2004 Purdue University graduate and I am currently in the midst of acquiring my Masters in Elementary Education and School Leadership at Indiana University Northwest.  I have been teaching 3rd grade for the past five years with AQS.  In addition I have been working with children since high school in various settings such as tutoring, summer camps, sports teams, after school clubs, and summer school.  I am extremely excited to work with the teachers at Discovery in developing authentic learning experiences focusing on our place!

Erin Mueller -Music Teacher

I am a recent graduate of Butler University where I was involved in the wind ensemble, marching band, and basketball band and was also a member of the women's music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota.  I have worked with Candi Granlund at Sycamore School, Ken Belt at Perry Meridian High School and Charles Flowers at Mary Nicholson Academy in Indianapolis as a student teacher.  I have spent the past five summers working at Covenant Harbor Bible Camp in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin acting as a counselor for three years and a program director for two years. I am very excited about this upcoming year and anxious for it to finally begin.  I believe this year is going to be a terrific chance to learn and grow in new and interesting ways.  I for one am eager to see kids getting excited about learning again."

Dave Jutkus -P.E.

I recently graduated with a physical education degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. I have had lots of experiences teaching children of all ages. I did my student teaching at a local high school and a local elementary school. These experiences have helped me build confidence and develop myself as a physical education teacher. While in college I was a member of the Purdue Rowing team for 4 years. I was also an assistant baseball coach for Central Catholic High School who won the Class A state championship in 2010. I really enjoy sports, exercise, and fitness and I am looking forward to a great year with Discovery Charter School.