The Duneland School Corporation honored retiring teachers and support staff this past Wednesday at a special reception celebration at the Administration Center.

Retirees are Margaret Amundson, German teacher at Chesterton High School; Betty Babcock, CHS athletics secretary; Nancy Beavers, Jackson Elementary treasurer; Paul Blosser, Chesterton Middle School social studies teacher; Bernie Brady, maintenance staff at Duneland's Special Service Center; Donna Brown, CHS music secretary; James Cavallo, CHS communications teacher; JoAnn Davies, Yost Elementary Title I aide; David Keammerer, CHS math teacher; Sandra Keammerer, CHS communications teacher; Mary LaBonte, Liberty Intermediate kitchen manager; Virginia Martin, CHS secretary and instructional aide; Barb Reed, Jackson Elementary music teacher; Barry Reed, Liberty Intermediate social studies teacher; Roger Sargent, CMS social studies teacher; and Dwight Shumway, CMS communications teacher.

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Margaret Amundson began her teaching career at Duneland School Corporation in 1991. This year completes 18 years of teaching in Duneland. She graduated from University of Wisconsin at Madison. Margaret has taught German at Chesterton High School, Liberty Middle, Westchester Middle and Chesterton Middle School. In addition, Margaret was involved in the GAPP (German-American Partnership Program).

Betty Babcock began working at Westchester Middle School in 1981 as the secretary of Student Services. In 1994 she moved to Chesterton High School to be the Athletic secretary. This completes 28 years in Duneland.

Nancy Beavers has worked at Jackson Elementary as a secretary for 25 years and as a treasurer for 20 years. She enjoys making jewelry, playing the piano, singing, reading flower gardening, scooter riding and going to the beach. Nancy plans to enjoy her family, friends and nine grandchildren. She will volunteer at her church and the nursing home. She plans to finish a book she started writing in 1991 and wants to write another book with quips and quotes from the children at Jackson Elementary.

Paul Blosser began teaching in the Duneland School Corporation in 1965. This year completes 44 years in Duneland. Paul also taught two previous years at New Prairie School Corporation. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Bethel College and received his master’s +30 from Indiana University. Paul taught at Jackson Township School, and taught social studies at Westchester Middle and Chesterton Middle School. In addition, he coached for 46 years.

Bernie Brady came to Duneland in 1980 and took a part-time position at the old Jackson Township School as a custodian. Three months later he became a full time contracted custodian at Liberty Elementary School. In 1983, he transferred to a grounds position in Maintenance at the Duneland Service Center. In his most recent position, his duties included delivering interschool mail and lunches to the various schools.

Donna Brown began working at Westchester Middle School in 1979 in the library. Two years later she became the WMS business office treasurer where she continued working until 2003. At that time she moved to the CHS Music Department as their secretary. She will retire from Duneland with 30 years service. Donna plans to continue to volunteer at the Duneland United Resale Shop where she is kindly referred to as the “bag lady” because she cleans and refurbishes old donated purses. She is also a master gardener and plans to work more with the Master Gardeners organization. She and her husband enjoy attending jazz festivals and traveling.

James Cavallo began his teaching career for Duneland School Corporation in 1971. This year completes 38 years of teaching in Duneland. Jim taught and coached three years at Bishop Noll prior to coming to Duneland School Corporation. Jim graduated from the University of Illinois with a BA in Speech and History and Government. He received his Master’s Degree from Purdue University. He has also taken classes at Ball State and Indiana University. Jim coached and taught speech and debate, taught English, computer technology, and broadcasting. He sponsored the WDSO radio station for many years. During the time he coached speech and debate, the Chesterton Speech and Debate team qualified and won many national speech and debate tournaments.

JoAnn Davies began at Duneland in 1991 as an instructional aide at Jackson Elementary. Soon after, she was a Title I Aide at Liberty Middle School and Westchester Middle School. Around 1996 she moved to Yost Elementary as a Title I Aide and has been there until present. This year she will complete her 18th year with Duneland. During her years with Duneland, she was part of the elementary guidance committee and helped start the Duneland Foundation. After retiring, she plans to continue working on her farm, her commitment to animal rescue and traveling to see family.

David Keammerer came to Duneland School Corporation in 1971. This year completes his 38th year in Duneland. He taught six years for Washington Township School Corporation and two years for Portage Township Schools prior to joining the Duneland staff. Dave is a graduate of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and received his Master’s degree from Indiana State University. Dave has taught Math at Chesterton High School for the entire time of his Duneland teaching career.

Sandra Keammerer came to Duneland School Corporation in 1991. This year completes her 18th year in Duneland. She taught five years at Portage Township Schools earlier in her career. She is a graduate of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and has also taken additional classes at Indiana State and Purdue University North Central. Sandy has taught English at Chesterton High School her entire teaching career in Duneland. Prior to that, she worked as a Prime Time Aide and also worked as a long-term substitute teacher.

Mary LaBonte began working for Duneland School cafeterias 29 years ago. She worked as a cook/cashier at Chesterton High School for 10 years. She then moved to Jackson Elementary to take the kitchen manager position in 1990. In 1991, she took the position of head cook/ manager at Westchester Middle School. In 1994, she moved to Liberty Middle School to manage their kitchen and will be retiring from that position.

Virginia Martin started working for Duneland Schools in 1977 as a secretary for the nurse, Speech and Debate, and drama. Presently she continues to work as a secretary for the Speech and Debate department, and as an instructional aide doing hall monitoring, detention and SRT. After retiring, she plans to travel, garden and spend more time with her husband and family.

Barbara Reed has taught at Duneland School Corporation since 1978. This year completes her 30th year in Duneland. Barb graduated from Valparaiso University with her bachelor’s degree and continued an additional year to complete her music education degree. She completed her master’s degree at Valparaiso University as well. Barb has taught vocal music at Yost, Brummitt, Liberty and Westchester Intermediate and Jackson Elementary the last eighteen years.

Barry Reed has taught at Duneland School Corporation since 1988. He taught three years prior to that at Porter Township Schools. This year completes his 21st year of teaching in Duneland. Barry completed his undergraduate work at Valparaiso University. He received a master’s degree from Valparaiso University. Barry taught communications and social studies at Liberty Intermediate the entire time of working for Duneland.

Roger Sargent has taught at Duneland School Corporation since 1973. He taught five years in Michigan prior to moving to the Duneland Schools. This year completes 36 years in Duneland School Corporation. He completed his bachelor’s degree at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota and his master’s work at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Roger taught communications and social studies at Westchester Middle and Chesterton Middle School.

Dwight Shumway has taught at Duneland School Corporation since 1967. This year completes 42 years of teaching in Duneland. He also taught three years before that in Ohio. He completed his bachelor’s degree at Grace College and his master’s work at Indiana University Northwest. Dwight taught fifth grade at Jackson Elementary, Yost, and Liberty and communications at Westchester Middle and Chesterton Middle School.