Menominee Teachers

Bianca Tinklenberg

 Bianka is a second grade teacher at Menominee Elementary School. This is her fifth year in the classroom but her first year in second grade. The past four years she taught third grade. Bianka grew up in Rensselaer, IN. She went to Ball State University for her Bachelor’s degree and is continuing her education for a Master’s Degree through Ball State University as well. Bianka and her husband now live in Plymouth with their fur babies. In her spare time, Bianka likes to craft. Bianka is one of the Neighborhood Center Board Members and is excited to have her elementary support the center this year!

Shelby Podemski 

Shelby is a 2nd grade teacher in Plymouth. This is third year teaching and second year at Menominee Elementary. Like Jessica, Shelby earned her teaching degree from Indiana University of South Bend. She is a mom to a 7 month old little girl, Frankie. Outside of school, Shelby spends her time with her family at home.

Jessica Heeren

 Jessica is a second grade teacher at Menominee Elementary school.  This is her eleventh year in the classroom and second grade is BY FAR her very favorite grade level to teach.  Jessica was raised in Walkerton, IN and graduated from John Glenn High School. She is a big homebody, so she decided to stay home for college and earned her teaching degree from Indiana University of South Bend.  While Jessica’s family dynamics have changed over the years, her favorite past-time is to spend time with her family at home. Jessica is married to Riley Heeren, an 8th grade Humanities teacher at Lincoln Jr. High.  They have two young boys and a puppy that keep them hopping!

Danielle Jones

Dannielle is a 1st grade teacher at Menominee Elementary. This is her 7th year in the classroom and she loves her “Firsties.” Dannielle grew up in a small town in South Eastern Kentucky and got her teaching degree from Eastern Kentucky University. She is married to Brandon Jones and together they have 3 fur babies, Luna, Remington, and 3 legged “special boy” Trace. Outside of school, Dannielle is also a Norwex Independent Sales Consultant and likes to read in her spare time.

Marcy Bogunia

Marcy is a 1st grade teacher at Menominee Elementary. This is her 11th year teaching and 3rd year in first grade. Marcy grew up in Lakeville, Indiana and graduated from LaVille Jr.-Sr. High School.  She has a teaching degree from IUSB and her Master’s from Ball State University. Marcy also graduated from Purdue with a degree in Leadership and Supervision.  Outside of school, Marcy loves spending time with her family and at home with her fiance’ Jeff, and two boys Kaden and Keegan.

Lauren Hall

Lauren is a 3rd grade teacher at Menominee Elementary. This is her second year of teaching. Lauren is originally from South Bend, IN. She is a Ball State Alum. Outside of school, Lauren spends her time watching Netflix and hanging out with her friends. Lauren is dancing this year to help out the Plymouth Community as best she can.

Allie Brubaker

 Allie is a 3rd grade teacher at Menominee Elementary.  This is her 10th year in the classroom.  Allie was raised here in Plymouth, Indiana and loves teaching in the community she grew up in!  She went to Indiana Wesleyan University for her teaching degree.  When she has free time, she spends it with her husband, Todd,  and her energetic 5 year old, Liam.

Choreographer - Mewsette Cartwright



Mewsette Cartwright is a mother of three beautiful children and married to Michael Cartwright. Mewsette has been dancing for over 20 years. She began as a Contemporary dancer in 1994 and later fell in love with Ballroom dancing in 2006. In 2010 Mewsette became a nationally certified (DVIDA) Dance Instructor. Mewsette has several certifications (NETA & YogaFit) as a group Yoga Instructor, yoga Trapeze Instructor (YogaBody) and certified with the NDCA. Mewsette completed her Module 1 level Acrobatic certification (AAC) in 2016. Mewsette is currently the LifePlex Dance Academy (LDA) Director, since 2006, in Plymouth, Indiana. She has an Associates degree in Business Administration from Ancilla College and is the Fitness Forum Sports & Wellness Group Exercise Director. In addition, her life purpose as a Professional Dance instructor/coach/choreographer is to provide the best service and quality training for her students. Her mission is to help dancers attain their personal goals and dreams of dance, one step at a time.