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Who We Are

We are Indiana’s Learning Community.

Together, with creative contributions from educational leaders across our state, Keep Indiana Learning is transforming the face of professional learning. The result? Relevant, engaging, and equitable learning opportunities for all Indiana students.

In partnership with the Educational Service Centers of Indiana, KInL is supported by educational stakeholders across the state. Keep Indiana Learning (KINL) was launched as a department of the Central Indiana Educational Service Center (CIESC) in 2020 as another of its innovative programs and services that enhance academic achievement and operational efficiencies.

The Keep Indiana Learning community creates a space where educators can connect and learn from peers. It’s a learning experience by Indiana educators, for Indiana educators. The landscape of education is changing. Now, more than ever, our collective teacher voice needs to be used and heard.

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Lena Darnay
Director of Keep Indiana Learning

Before joining CIESC, Lena served as a District Technology Integration Specialist, elementary and secondary School Library Media Specialist, and College and Career Academy Coordinator. She is an ISTE Certified Educator, Google Certified Trainer, and Canvas LMS Edvocate.

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Elizabeth Johnson
Program Coordinator

Before coming to Keep Indiana Learning, Elizabeth Johnson worked as an office coordinator at Borshoff and as a sales and customer service representative for RCI. She graduated from Carmel High School and attended courses at Butler University.

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Amanda Culhan
Counselor Connect Coordinator

Amanda is a licensed school counselor, with past experience as a school counselor, counselor educator, and state school counseling specialist. She has presented at the regional, state, and national levels and is devoted to equipping school and community professionals to better serve students. Amanda earned her Master of Science degree in Educational Studies, with a specialization in School Counseling, from Purdue University.

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Courtney Flessner
Professional Learning Specialist

Courtney Flessner spent 17 years working in K-8 schools as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator. Prior to joining the CIESC, she taught elementary math methods course at IUPUI for seven years and served as the Assistant Director for the Partnership for Inquiry Learning. She is currently working to complete her PhD from Indiana University in Educational Leadership and Policy and Mathematics Education.

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Jeff Harker
Professional Learning Specialist

Jeff Harker is a 32 year veteran of Mathematics education. During his career he also spent 5 years as a Literacy Coach and has conducted workshops at the district, state, and national levels, and for schools around the country. He is Quantile certified and a certified Teacher Clarity Playbook trainer.

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Ryan Murray
Professional Learning Specialist

Ryan Murray has been working in education since 2010 with a consistent focus on mathematics, science, and integrated STEM.  He is committed to the development of integrated STEM throughout Indiana schools by focusing on the intentional use of technology, issues of equity within the STEM pipeline, and providing access to inquiry for all learners.

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Martie Hoofer
Digital Content Manager

Martie Hoofer earned her Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and her Master’s degree from Ball State University. She was a technical trainer for USA Group and Sallie Mae for 12 years.  She also taught middle school reading and writing for 12 years.

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Tanika Kinartail
Professional Learning Specialist
Tanika Kinartail has served in the education field since 2007. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Indiana University-Bloomington, where she also earned a K-12 School Principal’s License. She started her career as an elementary classroom teacher and taught grades 3 and 5 for 7 years. Following that, she worked as an elementary assistant principal for 8 years.
Destiny Starks
Communications and Project Coordinator

Destiny Washington has served as a Teacher for the past three years in Ohio and Alabama. She has taught grades K-12 in various subjects. With a Bachelor’s Degree from Ball State University and a Master’s Degree from Florida Gulf Coast, Destiny will use her experience and education in her current role as a Communication and Project Coordinator for the Keep Indiana Learning Team.

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Erin Brown
Training Support Specialist

Erin Brown is a 16-year veteran of public education in Indiana. During this time, she has served elementary students and teachers in grades K-12. She has been a fifth-grade, sixth-grade, and second-grade Classroom Teacher, a K-8 Interventionist, and an Instructional Coach.

Stephanie Woods
Training Support Specialist

Stephanie Woods has received her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education as well as a Bachelor’s in speech language pathology. She earned her Master’s degree in literacy from American College of Education. She has served in public and private schools from PreK to sixth grade. Following the classroom, Stephanie worked as a reading specialist and MTSS coordinator specializing in students at-risk for dyslexia and high-ability.

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Karen Smith
Training Support Specialist

Karen Smith has been in the field of education since 2004. She started her career as an elementary classroom teacher before spending 4 years as an elementary instructional coach, 3 years as district lead instructional coach, and finally director of curriculum and instruction for K-12. Most recently, Karen served as a professional development specialist in which she supported teachers through targeted professional development in analyzing and using data intentionally, and effective use of curriculum resources.

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Samantha Vidal
Professional Learning Specialist

Samantha Vidal has been a school counselor in Indiana for over 15 years. She started her career as a high school counselor before spending seven years as an elementary school counselor and another seven years at the middle school level. Samantha has devoted her career to advocacy for the profession and servant leadership. She served on the Board of Directors for the Indiana School Counselor Association for over 10 years and on the Board of Directors for the American School Counselor Association for three years.

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Morgan Mason
Training Support Specialist

Morgan Mason earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Ball State University and her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Butler University’s EPPSP program. She has served as a grade 1, 3, and 4 classroom teacher and an instructional coach.

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Amanda McCammon
STEM Specialist & STEM Synergy Coordinator

An experienced Indiana educator with over 17 years serving at all levels within public education including as a technology education and PLTW teacher, building administrator, CTE Director, Student Services Director, and Assistant Superintendent within rural, suburban, and urban communities. Amanda spent two years serving the students and educators of Indiana at the State level as the Chief of Workforce & STEM Alliances. The primary focus of Amanda’s state-level work included policy development and program implementation within the areas of PK-12 standards & curriculum, career & technical education, workforce development, college and career readiness, business & industry partnerships, and STEM/CS education.

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Jessica Miller
Professional Learning Specialist

Jessica has been in the field of education since 2008. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Butler University and received her Elementary/Middle School Math Specialist Master’s Degree from Ball State. Prior to joining the CIESC, Jessica served as an elementary classroom teacher, STEM Teacher/Coach, and Instructional Coach.

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