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.
Favorite part of being an early childhood professional?
Observing the wonder of children’s friendships, play and language
Get to know Mary Jane
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
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 in childcares, 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
Hadassah Moore 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 as Administrative Assistant at 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 infant son.
e: hadassah@firstthingspc.org
Get to know Hadassah
Favorite part of working with early childhood professionals?
Seeing the eagerness to improve young kiddos’ lives once they learn 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 backyard kickball with my siblings and other neighborhood kids.
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
Adam O’Doherty | President & CEO, United Way Northwest Indiana
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
Mary Ann Cahill | Purdue University Northwest
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
Erin Robles | 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