Name: Mrs. Nikki Olsen 

Position: Main Office Secratary

“I came from Eads Elementary where I worked as an instructional aide for almost 10 years.  I am new to MHS but not to the School Town of Munster.  I love seeing the Eads children who are now high school students.  Working in the high school office is a win-win for me.  It allows me to go back to my business roots and still work with the students.  I look forward to a healthy and great year for all.”

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Name: Ms. Nakiyah Cooper 

Position: Student Services

Education: I went to a trade school for pharmacy.

How many pets do you have?

I have one dog

Who is your role model?

My Aunt

What are you most looking foward to this year?

Things going back to normal.

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Name: Mr. Dillon Thompson

Classes:  AP Biology, Chemistry, Biology 

Education: Yale University 

What is your favorite part about teaching? 

My favorite part about teaching is showing students that science can be fun, exciting, and interesting!

What do you like best about MHS?

The best part about MHS is the sense of community.  From teachers to administrators to students, everyone’s on the same team.

Who is your role model?

My role model is Mr. Franklin, who was my AP Bio teacher when I went here (I’m also an MHS alum).  Mr. Franklin was the happiest guy and always had a smile on his face.

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Name: Mr. Luke McGinnis

Classes: Choir and Piano

What do you like best about MHS?

What I like best about MHS is the students. Their enthusiasm, talent, and kindness inspire me everyday.

What are you most looking foward to this year? 

Although this year is full of uncertainty, I am most excited to work with the students of MHS by creating beautiful music and learning together the many wonderful aspects of choral music and beyond.

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Name: Ms. Alexandra Blank

Classes:  Composition, English 9, and Earth Space

Education: Purdue University with my bachelor’s in Elementary/ Special Education

How many pets do you have? 

I have one dog, his name is Bronko. He loves to play fetch and go on walks. 

What is your favorite part about teaching?

My favorite part about teaching is setting high expectations for my students thereafter seeing them rise up and reach new heights they never knew they could. So far, MHS has shown they have a very supportive staff, especially for us new teachers, and leaders that have high expectations—which is a wonderful thing.

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Name: Ms. Charity Davis 

Classes: PASS

Education: Indiana University Northwest

How many years have you spent teaching?

I spent two years teaching in Beijing, China. This will be my first year teaching in America.

What do you like best about MHS?

I graduated from here so seeing my old teachers and working alongside them is cool.

Who is your role model? 

My mom because she continues to push me to be the best version of myself.

What is your favorite part about teaching?

Getting to know my students and hopefully making a difference in their lives.

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Name: Mr. Micheal Kakalow 

Classes:  Health

Education: Auburn University

What is your favorite part about teaching?

My favorite part of teaching are the “light bulb” moments when a student gets exactly what I was attempting to teach.

Have you always wanted to be a teacher?

I didn’t always want to be a teacher.  It kind of came to me while in college.  However, now I can’t see myself doing anything else.  I truly love my job.

Who is your role model? 

My Grandfather is my role model.  He taught me by example how to live a good life.

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Name: Mrs. Lacie Myzack 

Position: School Nurse

Education: Ivy Tech Community College in Gary 

How many pets do you have? 

I recently bought a Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Toy Poodle) and his name is Fisk, named after the Hall of Fame pitcher Carlton Fisk. 

Who is your role model? 

My role model is my husband. No matter the situation, he always encouraged me to keep moving forward. You are allowed to have a bad day or two, but after that you need to pull yourself together and move forward. 

What do you like best about MHS? 

Munster is all about what is best for our children, and as a mother of three girls in the STM system, this is very important to me.

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Name: Mrs. Katy Waldrop 

Classes:  Foods and Interpersonal Relationships 

Education: Purdue Calumet (now Purdue Northwest)

How many years have you spent teaching? 

This is my first year teaching and I am incredibly excited about the material we will cover in not only the classroom but the kitchen as well.

Who is your role model? 

My role models would be my parents. I am lucky enough to have more than two parents and they all possess qualities that I have been fortunate to learn from throughout my life. They have faced various forms of  adversity in their lives and taught me how to rise up with dignity and grace.

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Name: Ms. Zayra Salinas  

Classes: Spanish

Education: Purdue Northwest

Have you always wanted to teach?

Yes, I used to pretend that I was a teacher since first grade and even imitated my teacher when playing school.

How many pets do you have?

One dog, Mia, a Teacup Yorkie (Yorkshire Terrier)

What are you most looking foward to this year?

COVID-19 to end, learning all the technology that can be incorporated in my teaching.

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Name: Ms. Janet Gibbs

Classes:  English and Earth Space

Education: Moody Bible Institute (BA) and Lamar University (MEd)

What are you most looking foward to this year?

Finding my way around MHS without getting lost.

What is your favorite part about teaching?

Seeing students prepared for life after high school.

Have you always wanted to be a teacher? 

No. This is my 3rd career!

__________________________________________________

There’s no substitute for substitutes

Permanent subs available for teachers everyday 

Name: Ms. Maria del Carmen Bermudez

Education: Saint Xavier University and finished at Chicago State University education department

How many pets do you have?

I have a six-year-old Green Cheek Connor, the little miss diva’s name is Baby. She’s very lovable and loves to hang around your shoulder. And yes, we spoil her. That’s why she’s a little diva we let her do what she wants.

Have you always wanted to be a teacher?

I was a bilingual teacher for Chicago Public schools for 16 years but I had to leave due to safety reason for my children and myself. I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was little I would play school, my brother and sisters were my students and I was the teacher, of course. We would play in my back porch. 

This is my 9th school year subbing for Munster High School

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Name: Mrs. Janice Dobrinich

Education: University of Evansville and then transferred to Purdue Calument my junior year and graduated with a degree in B.A. Communications and Public Relations

How many pets do you have?

I have one pet. My son bought me my 1st pet named “Milo” our mini golden doodle last Christmas. I know why people love their pets unconditionally. I love my boy.

Who is your role model?

My daughter Sara attended MHS 2004. She is talented actress and lives in Brooklyn NY. She has become a writer, director and performer and whe she isn’t creating she sells real estate to pay the bills. She is the kindest person I know and her charisma makes her a joy to be around. I am in awe of her grace, wit and perseverance.

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Name: Mr. Mark Kolodziej

Education: Purdue University Calument ‘76, BPE; ‘87 AA in IET additional work at Valparaiso University

What is your favorite part about teaching?

Seeing young minds maturing into a great hope for the future.

Who are your role models?

Dean Kamen and Bill Gates

What are you most looking foward to this year? 

Challenging On-line classes. 

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Name: Mr. Don Bugaski 

Education: I earned a degree in Math with a minor in Business from Purdue University in West Lafayette (God’s Country). I earned a Masters in Math from Purdue University Northwest.

How many pets do you have?

I have one small green parrot, who I named Fairway, as I enjoy golfing.

Have you always wanted to be a teacher?

I originally became a teacher as I wanted to coach. I started and built the Girls’ Cross Country program at Lake Central High School.