Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer

Executive Director

e: maryjane@firstthingspc.org

p: 219.510.0383

Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer has served young children & families for over 25 years as a kindergarten teacher, researcher, policy consultant and teacher educator. In 2021, she was selected for the inaugural class of the Mutz Philanthropic Leadership Institute through the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance.

In June 2021, she began as Executive Director of First Things First Porter County. Prior to that, Eisenhauer was Interim Associate Director for the School of Education and Counseling at Purdue University Northwest and continues to work with national, state and local leaders to promote high quality early childhood development.

She earned her EdD in Curriculum & Social Inquiry/Early Childhood Development from National-Louis University and her BS in Speech-Language Pathology and MSEd in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University. Eisenhauer is Professor Emerita of Early Childhood Education at Purdue University Northwest.

Get to know Mary Jane

Favorite part of being an early childhood professional?

Observing the wonder of children’s friendships, play and language

Your most important role?

Being a wife and mom of three kids

Favorite children’s book?

King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood

Favorite toy growing up?

Wooden blocks

Favorite childhood memory?

My imaginary friend, Raggsie, who taught me how to zip up my coat


Kasandra Tenbarge

Associate Director

e: kasandra@firstthingspc.org

p: 219.510.0383 x 209

A trusted fundraiser and relationship developer with more than 18 years of experience, Kasandra (Kasie) Tenbarge has helped to build and execute successful campaigns, programming, events, and volunteer boards across higher education, non-profit, and business sectors in Northwest Indiana. Throughout her career Kasie has held a deep respect and interest in the relationship and role of education within Porter County, as well as the role of education within greater Northwest Indiana.

Residing in Chesterton, IN she and her family are active members of the Chesterton United Methodist Church, and Kasie is also active in the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club, and her local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She enjoys HIIT style exercise programs, jogging, singing in the praise band, playing the ukulele, bike riding around town and visiting the beach with her family. Kasie lives with her husband, Adam, and their two boys; AJ – 14, and Grayson – 12.

Get to know Kasandra

Favorite part of working with early childhood professionals?

The life-long impact that these professionals have on children and families is very real, and having the opportunity to work alongside them and assist them in any way that we can is truly exciting and an honor.

Your most important role?

Mom to Adam (AJ) and Grayson 

Favorite children’s book?

On Top of Spaghetti by Paul Brett Johnson and Tom Glazer

Favorite toy growing up?

My cloth doll, Jane

Favorite childhood memory?

Ross Summer Music Theater at Merrillville High School


Laura Green

Outreach Coordinator

e: laura@firstthingspc.org

p: 219.510.0383

Laura Green grew up in Northwest Indiana and has been passionate about working in the early childhood field for as long as she can remember (she got an early start by following in the footsteps of her mom, a Pre-K educator). She has worked, volunteered, and interned in a multitude of early childhood settings over the past 20 years including childcare centers, preschools, early intervention, and home visiting programs. Throughout this time, she has also enjoyed speaking to students or other groups of professionals about early childhood development and roles in the early childhood field.

Laura graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Early Intervention that specialized her to work with families and children from birth-3. She volunteered on the First Things First Early Learning Collaborative workgroups for over a year before starting her position as the Outreach Coordinator. Laura is thrilled to be working alongside so many amazing professionals serving families in our community to help make Porter County the best place to have and raise a baby.

Get to know Laura

Favorite part of being an early childhood professional?

I love having the opportunity to witness the excitement and innocence children possess while discovering the world around them. It reminds me to appreciate the little things

Your most important role?

Living out all the times I played house as a child by being a wife and mom to two wonderful children

Favorite children’s book?

Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White and Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

Favorite toy growing up?

Dolls!

Favorite childhood memory?

Playing! I loved using my imagination to engage in all types of pretend play


Hadassah Moore

Project Coordinator

e: hadassah@firstthingspc.org

Hadassah has been calling The Region “home” since 2017, previously living in Ohio. While new to the Early Childhood space specifically, her professional experience lies in not-for-profit program coordination. Her passion for equipping local communities began when she worked for United Way of Defiance County (OH), and she is proud to bring that passion to Porter County. Most recently, she served in PNW’s School of Education & Counseling, solidifying K-12 partnerships throughout Northwest Indiana.

Hadassah holds a B.A. in Applied Communications from Cedarville University and enjoys baking and word puzzles when she isn’t busy running after her toddler son.

Get to know Hadassah

Favorite part of working with early childhood professionals?

Seeing the eagerness to improve young kiddos’ lives with all they know about early relational health and brain development

Your most important role?

Serving as wife and mom!

Favorite children’s book?

The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone

Favorite toy growing up?

My Blue’s Clues set (I had it all: my own Thinking Chair, Handy Dandy Notebook, and figurines of all the characters)

Favorite childhood memory?

Playing in Hamilton Lake with my cousins at my grandparents’ house.


Advisory Board Members

Dr. Matt Burden | President & CEO, Porter-Starke Services

Mark Chamberlain | Principal Financial Advisor, CAPTrust

Tim Coleman | Senior Vice President, Centier Bank

Stephanie Didion | Director of the OB and Neonatal Services, Northwest Health

Bill Higbie | President & CEO, Porter County Community Foundation

David Hollenbeck | Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman

Mike Jessen | President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana

Sharon Johnson | CEO, Valparaiso Family YMCA

Rebecca Lilovich | Early Educator

Megan Marshall | CAPTrust

Cpl. Benjamin McFalls | Public Information Officer, Porter County Sheriff’s Department

Chuck Roberts | President & CEO, Lakeshore Public Media

Neil Samahon | President & CEO, Opportunity Enterprises

Dr. Stacey Schmidt | Superintendent, Porter Township School Corp

Dr. Amanda Zelechoski | Professor of Psychology/Founding Director of Clinical Training, Purdue Northwest


Early Learning Collaborative Work Group Members

Donna Battista | Retired Early Educator

Amy Briseno | Food Bank of Northwest Indiana

Callie Burkholder | HealthLinc

Willow Cataldo | Porter County Public Library System

Sheryl Chambers | Healthy Families Porter County

Linda Curley | Purdue Extension

Mariann Frigo | Jacob's Ladder Pediatric Rehab Center

Carla Gadson | Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children

Kim Genovese | Valparaiso University

Dana Hamady | Parents as Teachers of Porter County

Melanie Hoffman | Valparaiso Family YMCA

Carrie Honeycutt | Porter County Health Dept.

Shannon Hough | Community Healthcare System

Christy Jarka | Duneland School Corporation

Tonia Kitchel | LEAP Solutions

Kenneth Knuppel | Early Learning Connections/Child Care Resource & Referral

Urszula Krygowski | Kid Works

Tiffany McCammon | Help Me Grow Porter County

Morgan Nagy | Hilltop Neighborhood House

Trish Poncher | HealthLinc

Tracey Ratkay | Northwest Health

Brianna Manning | Portage Township YMCA

Kim Smith | Mental Health America Northwest Indiana

Shannon Spratley | Duneland Family YMCA

Jill Stricker | Parents As Teachers of Porter County

Payton Summers | Help Me Grow Porter County

Abbie Thompson | Valparaiso University

Natalie Wilson | Our Greater Good

Jennifer Wright | Hilltop Neighborhood House

Kristin Zakutansky | Jacob's Ladder Pediatric Rehab Center

Amanda Zelechoski | Purdue University Northwest

Alyssa Zilz | Mental Health America Northwest Indiana

Early Learning Collaborative work group members at the quarterly meeting.

Porter County Talking is Teaching Partners

  • Associated Pediatricians

  • Aurora Dental Wellness

  • The Caring Place, Inc.

  • Center Township Trustee

  • Community Healthcare System

  • Community-Engaged Alliance

  • Duneland School Corporation Early Learning HUB

  • Duneland Family YMCA/Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning

  • Family & Youth Services Bureau

  • First Presbyterian Church

  • Geminus Child Care Resource and Referral

  • Housing Opportunities

  • Jacob's Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation

  • Kidworks, LLC

  • Mental Health America of NWI

  • NorthShore Health Centers

  • Northwest Indiana Community Action

  • Nurse Family Partnership

  • Our Greater Good

  • Parents as Teachers Porter County

  • Portage Township YMCA

  • Porter County Health Department

  • Porter County Public Library

  • Porter Township Schools and CTE

  • Strack & VanTil

  • United Way of Northwest Indiana

  • Valparaiso Police Department

  • Valparaiso University Psychology Department

  • Valparaiso University Education Department

  • Valparaiso YMCA

  • Valpo Parks