Kristen Peterson is a name that the Duneland Community is very familiar with. She has been a huge part of the Duneland School Corporation as a teacher and an Assistant Principal for CHS. This year, her hard work has been recognized by many outside the community, and she is the winner of the Indiana Assistant Principal of the Year!

Peterson has been working in education for over 20 years. Before coming to Duneland, Peterson previously worked as a teacher in the Social Studies Department and taught numerous social studies classes such as AP U.S. History, Government, and even Psychology. Peterson was also a head coach for Girl’s Basketball and Cross Country and was an Assistant Coach for Track and Field. Peterson began her work with Duneland 11 years ago and has had several positions within the school system. Peterson’s Duneland career started when she worked at the middle school as a P.E. teacher. 6 years ago, she transferred to the high school and became an Assistant Principal. Having previously worked at the middle school, she was now back working with the students she previously taught at the middle school.

“Up until this year, I had (taught) every student in the building who had moved to the high school and had been at the middle school. The last class I taught just graduated last year,” Peterson said. 

Peterson’s hard work and dedication to her job have not gone unnoticed. Last April, Peterson was titled the District 1 Assistant Principal of the Year. District 1 is composed of Porter, Lake, Newton, and Jasper Counties in Northwest Indiana. Peterson was 1 of 12 educators selected to be recognized from the 12 participating districts. On November 19, Peterson was named the best Assistant Principal in the state, and she has been nothing but humble about her great accomplishment!

“I’m just in complete shock. I never anticipated that I would be the one to actually win, but I am also very honored to represent Chesterton High School and the Duneland School Corporation. I  work with tremendous people and kids every single day and I think that’s reflective of the environment that we’ve created here at Duneland,”  Peterson concluded.

Be sure to congratulate Mrs. Peterson on her hard work and show her some extra appreciation because the Duneland Community couldn’t be more proud of her huge accomplishment!