New teachers this year at Van Buren, L-R: Mrs. White, Mrs. Zmijewski, Mrs. Johnson, Ms. Siepman

Mrs. White, Physical Education; 4th Grade Math

  • Grew up in Plainfield; lived in Indiana her whole life
  • Attended Butler University
  • Favorite hobbies, pastimes: cooking, traveling, watching her kids play sports
  • Favorite memory as a young student: "When Mr. Nelson let me give a spelling test when I was in 5th grade at Brentwood."

Ms. Zmijewski, 5th Grade

  • Grew up in LaPorte; lived in Indiana her whole life
  • Attended Butler University
  • Favorite hobbies, pastimes: travel, time with friends and family, watching sports
  • Favorite memory as a young student: "When I was in 5th grade, I was a member of the Ring Toss Champions for the LaPorte schools!"

Mrs. Johnson, 4th Grade

  • Grew up in Wabash; lived in Florida and Indiana
  • Attended Purdue University and IUPUI
  • Favorite hobbies, pastimes: reading, running, exercising, spending time with family
  • Favorite memory as a young student: "I won the Indiana State trivia contest in 4th grade."

Ms. Siepman, Special Education (at Van Buren and Central)

  • Grew up in Plainfield; lived in Indiana her whole life
  • Attended Indiana Wesleyan University
  • Favorite hobbies, pastimes: spending time with family and friends, playing tennis and softball, going to sporting events and watching them on TV, reading. Note - she LOVES elephants!