Classrooms

Mrs. Laura Gusse

I attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. There, I received a dual major in Elementary Education and Spanish. While in school I studied abroad in Queretaro, Mexico for five months. After college, I interviewed with Duneland and I quickly fell in love with the town of Chesterton. I moved to the area to teach Kindergarten at Jackson Elementary. After a year, I came to Bailly Elementary where I taught first grade for a couple of years. Afterward, I returned to my favorite grade level, Kindergarten. When I am not at school, I love to spend time with my family. My husband, our son and daughter and our extended family. We love to travel and spend time outside. When on my own, I enjoy reading and running. 

Mrs. Lauren Johnson

I am a Chesterton High School graduate. I received my elementary education degree from Purdue University Northwest. I have been teaching for 3 years. I have taught kindergarten, 2nd, and 3rd grade. Kindergarten is my absolute favorite grade to teach! I am very excited to be teaching my favorite grade at the elementary school that I attended as a child!

I am married and have a daughter named Amelia. In my free time I enjoy visiting local coffee shops, hiking, and biking.

Mrs. Jamee Swanson

I am a Chesterton High School and a Ball State University graduate.  I hold teaching licenses in the areas of  Early Childhood, Kindergarten-Primary and Elementary Education. I completed my master's degree at Indiana Wesleyan University and have taught kindergarten in Duneland for over 20 years. In my spare time, I enjoy outdoor activities, cooking and spending time with my family.

Mrs. Swanson's classroom page

Mrs. Jen McWhirter

Mrs. Kylee Alb

After graduating from Chesterton High School, I attended Purdue University Northwest where I earned a Bachelor's in Elementary Education with a focus in reading. I am lucky to start off my first year of teaching at Bailly Elementary!  I have wanted to be a teacher since I was just eight years old by setting up a classroom for my Barbies.

When I am not in the classroom, I am reading on the couch with my favorite reading buddy(my dog), listening to live music with my fiancé, and shopping with my mom! I cannot wait to get started on my dream job!  

Mrs. Cheryl Marrs

I attended Valparaiso University and began my teaching career at Bailly Elementary.  I had the opportunity to teach fourth grade for four years, then moved to teaching first grade.   I have enjoyed more than 30 years of teaching at my school.  When I am not teaching, I love to spend time with my husband, two daughters, and one son.  We love traveling, sporting events, and spending time outdoors.  Although our children are moving on to college and beyond, we make sure to gather with them and many nearby family members regularly.  I enjoy gardening during the warmer weather and being creative in designing spaces at home.

Mrs. Susan Rehtorik

I graduated from Ball State University. I became an elementary teacher and love working with children. I have taught 30 years at Bailly Elementary School. I enjoy being a part of the Bailly family. When I am not at school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 2 daughters, as well as extended family and friends. I love nature and being outside. In the summer, I garden and doa lot of canning of my vegetables from my garden. Also, I enjoy keeping track of former students and staying in touch with them as they get older. When I was young, I always wanted to be a teacher. I am doing my dream job and I love what I do!

Mrs. Kathy Ahrendt

After four wonderful years of Chesterton High School, highlighted by performing in Drifters and Sandpipers, becoming the Lady of the House in the Madrigal my senior year, and most importantly, meeting (and later marrying) my highschool sweetheart, I attended Purdue University to become a proud Boilermaker! I earned a degree in Elementary Education, a minor in Reading, and a Kindergarten endorsement. With the exception of one year of teaching 6th grade in Memphis, TN right after getting married, all sixteen years of my teaching experience have been in the Duneland Schools in grades K-5. This is my eighth year of teaching 2nd grade. After teaching little ones all day, I go home to my own older children. I have a son who is studying music at IU and a daughter who is about to go to DePauw in the fall. When I have free time, I like to spend it visiting with family and friends, making crafts, painting, reading, and walking our dog.

Mrs. Mindy Balhoff

After attending Eastern Michigan University, I became a 2nd grade teacher in a small community located near Charlottesville, Virginia. I taught there for 5 years as I worked on a masters degree in Literacy and Reading Instruction at Longwood University.   My husband and I moved to Northwest Indiana for a job opportunity and to be closer to our extended family. After a couple of years of staying home with my children I joined the Bailly team as a third grade teacher. I taught 3rd grade for nine years before transitioning to my current position as a reading specialist.  When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children, watching my children participate in extracurricular sports and activities such as robotics and soccer, and enjoying nature. As a family we often spend time hiking the dunes and planning trips to other National Parks and sites. On rainy days I enjoy spending time curling up with a good book and playing board games with my family.

Ms. Cathy Roles

Mrs. Adona Elkins

Welcome to 3rd Grade! I was a teacher on the beautiful island of Grenada for nine years before I moved to the United States.  In Grenada, I taught grade 2-6th. I worked as a Title I teaching assistant and an instructional assistant at another school district before getting my teaching credentials to teach in the U.S. from Western Governors University Indiana. I went on to receive my masters at WGU and now I am currently working on my doctorate at Indiana Wesleyan University. I was currently teaching 4th, then a 3rd, now I am teaching 4th  grade here at Bailly. I enjoy football, soccer, biking, cooking, animals (cats), and baking. I love to travel and see new things.

Mrs. Madison Wherrett

After graduating from Indiana University Northwest in 2020, where I earned a dual degree in Elementary and Special Education, I have taught multiple grades within the past 5 years. The school year of 2024-2025 was my first year with Bailly Elementary. I taught 2nd grade known as Miss Kelly and this year I will be entering Kindergarten as Mrs. Wherrett (I got married this summer on June 21st)!  I am so excited for another amazing year at Bailly with the most amazing staff and kiddos. In my freetime I enjoy camping with my husband, reading books on my Kindle, and going on Target runs with my sisters. 

Mrs. Jewel Patrick

I graduated from Purdue University Northwest in May of 2021 with a bachelors degree in Elementary Education, along with a concentration in reading. I accepted a job here at Bailly Elementary teaching third grade that same year. When I’m not at Bailly hanging out with my third graders, I enjoy taking time to write in my journal and read a good book. When I’m not taking my adorable dog, Clark for walks, I usually spend time walking through the aisles at Target! 

Mrs. Renee Nagel

I attended Ball State University and received my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.  I then started my teaching career in Berwyn, IL teaching 1st grade. While teaching in Berwyn, I received my Master's Degree in Teaching and Leadership at St. Xavier University. I transitioned to Early Childhood after I had my first son, then taught Preschool for 10 years before moving into Administration.  I was in Administration for 5 years. Two years ago, I decided that I was ready to make the move back to elementary and hopefully find a home in the Duneland School District, where I live with my husband and 3 sons for the past 12 years.  Last year, I taught High Ability at Jackson and really enjoyed it.  I am now so happy to finally have a home at Bailly teaching 4th grade. As a mom of 3 boys, I am very busy with their activities such as hockey, football, basketball, and baseball.  Go Trojans! 

Mrs. Marcia Nikokiris

Mrs. Anne Stillman

Mrs. Rhonda Sutphin

I received my degrees (Bachelors degree in Elementary Education & Masters degree in Special Education) from Purdue University, and have been teaching for the last 23 years.  I have taught 3rd and 4th grade as a General Education teacher, and grades K - 6th as an Exceptional Learning teacher throughout those years.  I have loved each and every year of my journey as a teacher, I am very excited to begin my second year at Bailly!   

When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and my pups.  I also love going to the beach, shopping, baking, and traveling.

Miss Abigail Parkerson 

My name is Miss P,  and I’m so excited to be starting my first year of teaching here at Bailly Elementary! I grew up in the area and graduated from Chesterton High School before continuing my education at Purdue University Northwest, where I earned my degree.  I feel so lucky to begin my teaching journey in such a wonderful school community!

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading, working out, and traveling whenever I get the chance. I also love spending time watching movies and hiking with my fiancé. I’m looking forward to a fun and successful year filled with learning, growth, and lots of smiles!

Miss Caroline Scheidt

After attending Duneland Schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade, I moved on to attend college at Indiana University Northwest where I graduated with my Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education/Special Education. I’ve known since I was a little girl that I wanted to grow up to be a teacher and my dreams are finally coming true by starting off my very first year at (the wonderful) Bailly Elementary School. 

I am over the moon and looking forward to working with your little learners! When I’m not in the classroom, I am reading a book or playing with my very sweet (crazy) puppy Stella!