Classrooms

Mr. Samuel J. Marshall

In 2009, after graduating from Western Michigan University, Mr. Marshall became an English teacher at Chesterton High School. He also coached girls' track, speech, and middle school football. After six years, he moved into a split position, continuing to teach English at CHS while also serving as Dean of Students at Westchester Intermediate School. In 2018, he became the principal of Jackson Elementary School.

Mr. Marshall and his wife, Meghan, are originally from Michigan, where they both grew up, met and married.  Mr. Marshall and his wife have two children who also attend Jackson. When not at school, Mr. Marshall enjoys shopping at used bookstores, gardening, and spending time with his family. 

Mrs. Jenni Fairbairn

This is Mrs. Fairbairn’s 19th year in education. Prior to working at Jackson, she taught kindergarten, second, third, and fourth grades as well as serving as Dean of Students for two years. Upon arriving at Jackson, she served as an instructional coach for three years. She is looking forward to her new role as Assistant Principal. 

Mrs. Fairbairn has two boys who are in 4th and 6th grade. When not at school, she enjoys reading and watching her boys play soccer.

Mrs. Julie Christian

Mrs. Ally Martinez-Rekitzke

Mrs. Martinez-Rekitzke began teaching at Jackson in 2021. She loves teaching Kindergarten and watching her students grow so much throughout the year! She enjoys spending time with her daughter, seeing the latest movies with her husband, and reading books.

Mrs. Casey Wszolek

Mrs. Wszolek has a bachelors degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and has been trained as a Literacy Coach through Purdue University and the LASS Organization. Mrs. Wszolek's has been teaching since 2004 and has previously taught Preschool, First Grade, and Kindergarten. In her spare time, she loves watching her son play baseball, hanging out with her husband, and snuggling with her three dogs.

Mrs. Jamie Jimenez-Perez

Mrs. Jimenez-Perez graduated from Purdue University Northwest in 2021.  Mrs. Jimenez-Perez teaches first grade at Jackson. One of her favorite things about teaching first grade is helping her students discover a love for reading. When Mrs.Jimenez-Perez is not teaching, she may be reading, hiking, or spending time with her husband and their dog. 

Mrs. Britni Psimos

Mrs. Psimos has taught first grade at Jackson Elementary since 2019. She previously taught fifth grade at Peru Community Schools for five years. She received her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Ball State in 2011.  Mrs. Psimos then returned to Indiana Wesleyan University to complete the Transition to Teaching Program.  Mrs. Psimos and her husband Chris have been married since 2013.  She loves reading, hiking, and cheering on the Chicago Bears. 

Mrs. Allison Sloan

Mrs. Sloan teaches first grade at Jackson. Her favorite part about teaching is seeing her students' growth from the beginning of the year to end-- especially in reading! Outside of the classroom, she is also a middle school cross country and track coach. In her spare time, Mrs. Sloan can be found hanging out with her husband and their four pets - three cats and one dog. She also loves doing absolutely anything outdoors, crocheting, and reading

Mrs. Heather Burkus

Mrs. Burkus has taught at Jackson Elementary since 2023, and is excited to continue teaching second grade. Mrs. Burkus is no stranger to Duneland, as she joined the team in 2016, working at Yost Elementary as an instructional aide and lunch and recess aide. It was during her time in the Title I position that she discovered her love of teaching. She loves watching children grow and develop confidence in themselves.

In her free time, Mrs. Burkus enjoys spending time with her three children, husband, and canines. She has a passion for nature and the outdoors, so on any given weekend, they are likely to be on the trails or at a beach scavenging for beach glass, with green ones being her favorite!

Mrs. Kylee Caudle

Mrs. Caudle played collegiate volleyball at Indiana State University. When she graduated, she returned home and taught in Michigan City for 14 years. Mrs. Caudle currently lives in Chesterton with her husband, two sons and their two dogs.  Her sons, Carson and Mason both attend Jackson. 

Mrs. Amber Tarnowski

Mrs. Tarnowski has been in Duneland since 2016. She is a curriculum writer for the district, on the School Improvement Team, MTSS Team, and the guiding coalition for Jackson Elementary.   Mrs. Tarnowski enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids- Monroe & Beckham. When she is not at school, you can find her with her horses, on the Polaris with her family, doing photography, or going to the local Buffalo Wild Wings.

Miss Kate Conway

Mrs. Samantha Mattraw

Mrs. Mattraw loves teaching 3rd grade at Jackson. She enjoys reading fantasy books and can play four instruments. Sometimes Mrs. Mattraw plays her ukulele for her students in the classroom. Mrs. Mattraw says, "It is so wonderful to teach and watch my students grow in their learning!" 

Mrs. Kim Tumbas

Mrs. Tumbas began teaching in 2004. She currently lives in Valparaiso, with her husband and six golden retrievers (Oki, Remy, Maxx, Lilly, Bailey, & Finn). She has three daughters; Sara, Emma, and Eliza, and two grand-dogs: Hobo & Bumi.  In her free time, you can find her reading, running, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with her family and dogs. She enjoys Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, Disney, and spending time at the beach. 

Mrs. Elisa Hoffmann

Mrs. Hoffmann began teaching at Jackson in 2016. She teaches all subjects, but has a special love for math.  Her favorite thing about teaching is watching students learn to be innovative and curious problem solvers!  Mrs. Hoffmann is a book lover, a hobby sewer, and a dog mom to two adorable puppies.  Her favorite books are the Found series by Margret Peterson Haddix, Ella Enchanted, and The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle. 

Mrs. Samantha Pilarczyk

Mrs Pilarczyk has been a teacher since 2015, teaching third and fourth grade. Mrs. Pilarczyk attended Jackson Elementary as a third and fourth grader, making it one of her favorite places to be! Mrs. Pilarczyk loves traveling with her husband Chris, to see the Chicago Cubs play baseball.   She also enjoys reading, Notre Dame football, and her golden retrievers, Oliver and Miller. 

Miss Jill Krieger

Miss Krieger has been at Jackson for 2 years and taught Special Education at Chesterton Middle School for 4 years before working here.  She has a Poodle/Bichon mix named Rizzo, is a huge Disney fan, and loves the Chicago Cubs!

Mrs. Catherine Dilbeck

Mrs. Dilbeck played collegiate volleyball at Northwest St. in Louisiana. After completing her degree she moved back to Hammond where she has taught special education for 20 years in both Pre-K and elementary but also taught summer school for 14-22 year old special education students. Mrs Dilbeck now lives in Chesterton with her husband, Dave, and 2 children, Peyton and Reese, who also are student-athletes at CHS. Mrs. Dilbeck also coaches volleyball at CHS. 

Emily Pierce