(La Porte, IN) - La Porte Community School Corporation is saying goodbye to 31 retirees.
They were all honored Thursday evening at the district’s annual recognition gala, hosted by the La Porte Educational Development Foundation.
"These 31 individuals carry with them decades of stories, relationships, and impact," said Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood. "They taught generations of Slicers, supported our staff, kept our buildings running, and helped build the culture our schools are known for. Their retirement is well-earned, and their legacy is permanent. On behalf of the entire LPCSC family, thank you."
This year’s group of retirees includes several educators with 40 or more years of service to the district, as well as two with state-level recognition this school year. Bonnie DeWolf, a La Porte Middle School teacher, has served LPCSC for 27 years. She was the district’s 2021 Secondary Teacher of the Year and was recently named Indiana's 2026 VFW Teacher of the Year. Marty Briggs, a 47-year Crichfield Elementary teaching veteran, was named one of three finalists for this year’s Indiana Teacher of the Year award.
Together all the retiring teachers and staff members represent a total of 888 years of service to La Porte students.
Below is a list of LPCSC retiring staff for the 2025-26 school year:
- Marcia Aragon, Kesling Intermediate, 25 years
- Cindy Baker, Lincoln Elementary, 24 years
- Marty Briggs, Crichfield Elementary, 47 years
- Brenda Britton, Technology, 29 years
- Diane Brown, La Porte High School, 23 years
- Leticia Christner, La Porte Middle School, 12 years
- Brenda Cooper, La Porte High School, 31 years
- Donna Council, Kingsbury Elementary, 35 years
- Cheryl Daniels, Kesling Intermediate, 40 years
- Bonnie DeWolf, La Porte Middle School, 27 years
- Rebecca Dunbar, Crichfield Elementary, 38 years
- Tina Friedrich, Kesling Intermediate, 32 years
- Bonnie Graffis, Handley Elementary, 18 years
- Kimberly Iseminger, Special Education, 22 years
- Christine Kulasa, Kesling Intermediate, 45 years
- Laura Kwasny, La Porte Middle School, 27 years
- Alesia Lasky, Crichfield Elementary, 29 years
- Christine Lidgard, La Porte High School, 23 years
- Paul Lindeman, La Porte High School, 41 years
- Lori Loucks, Kesling Intermediate, 35 years
- Carla Marhanka, Kingsbury Elementary, 40 years
- Donna Nowak, La Porte Middle School, 31 years
- Daniel Olson, La Porte High School, 31 years
- Caroline Richards, Special Education, 23 years
- Jeff Smith, Maintenance, 28 years
- Gina Teets, Director of Human Resources, 19 years
- Chris Thomas, La Porte High School, 36 years
- Sue Wallen, Maintenance, 21 years
- Tamara Webb, Special Education, 34 years
- Jeff West, Maintenance, 16 years
- Marlene Will, Special Education, 6 years
