Classrooms

Mrs. Melissa Bustos

I was born and raised in Valparaiso and attended Duneland Schools. I recieved my bachelor's degree of business in Marketing from Purdue North Central. For the past 12 years I managed kitchens in assisted living facilities. Recently, I decided I wanted a career change and went back to school to obtain my master's in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. I am married and have two daughters who are eight and nine years old, three adult stepchildren, one grandson, and two grandchildren on the way. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, working out, shopping, coaching my girl's sports, training my Goldendoodle, cooking, and making and decorating cakes.

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

Miss Kylee Donnella

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.

Miss Madison Kelly

My bio is coming soon!

Ms. Cathy Roles

Mrs. Sandy Campbell

I am originally from the Williamsport, Pa. area and a graduate of Lycoming College.  When we lived in Pennsylvania, I worked at a hospital on the oncology floor and was a certified addictions counselor.  After moving to Indiana, I began working at a private gymnastic studio and as an aide at Bailly.  I discovered I loved teaching and working with children.  This motivated me to return to school to become a teacher and I was blessed to be hired by Duneland.  When not at school, I love to spend time with my husband, sons, daughter-in-law, grandson, and friends.  I also love to travel, read, exercise (Spin classes are the best!), read, attend sporting events, and read.  I hope to share this love of reading with my students.

Mrs. Deanna Heslin

After attending Purdue University, I became an elementary teacher for thirteen years. I then chose to be a full-time stay-at-home Mom for two years before driving a Duneland school bus for seven years. When my children were school-age, I joined the Bailly team where I have been for the past 13 years. I was able to complete my Master's degree from Ball State, as my children were getting older, as well. When I am not at school, I am passionate about spending time with my husband and family. My two-year-old granddaughter is a light in my life, as well as walking, biking, traveling, and gardening. 

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 isles at Target! 

Mrs. Melissa Cergizan

After graduating from Purdue University, I accepted my first teaching job for the School Town of Munster. I had the privilege to teach high ability students in 3rd-5th grade for 8 years and then 5th grade for 2 years. Now that I have joined the Bailly family, I have the privilege to work with 4th graders everyday. I enjoy baking, reading, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Mrs. Adona Elkins

Mrs. Marcia Nikokiris

Mrs. Anne Stillman

Mrs. Rhonda Sutphin

My bio is coming soon!

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!