Tonia Kitchel, Ed.S., IPE
Owner/Operator, School Psychologist, Ed.S., IPE
School Psychologist for K-12 in Mishawaka, Porter County, Lake County, and multiple charter schools
Independent Education Evaluation (IEE’s) for local school districts
Behavior Specialist and Intake Coordinator for Behavior Specialists of Indiana
Psychological evaluations for Vocational Rehabilitation
Psychological evaluations for First Steps of Indiana
Co-Coordinator of the Duneland School Corp Early Learning HUB birth-to-school program
Associations & community roles include:
-National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
-Indiana Association of School Psychologists (IASP)
-Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist
-Member of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce
-Member of the YMCA Forchetti Advisory Committee
-Member of the YMCA Healthy Living Campus Advisory Committee
-Member of the First Things First Porter County Early Learning
Collaborative
-Talking is Teaching Partner
Tonia is a licensed School Psychologist with over 20 years of experience in NWI. She earned her BS in Psychology and Ed.S. in School Psychology from Indiana University. She earned her Independent Practice Endorsement in 2018.
Her experiences include:
Tonia is very excited to be able to use her experiences and skills to help children and their caregivers learn about their academic strengths and weaknesses, offer diagnostic services, obtain recommendations for areas of concern, connect to important resources and to offer education and guidance that helps families ensure success. Tonia resides in Chesterton with her husband, Sean, and three children. Emma is studying to be a vet technician and Lanie is a junior at IU studying psychology and marketing. Nate is a senior at Chesterton High School and plays for the CHS Soccer and Millennium soccer teams.
Amy Curtis, BA, MA
Amy is a licensed K-6 educator with ten years of experience in the field of education. She earned her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa and her MA in Educational Policy and Leadership from the University of Iowa. Amy has taught in a variety of settings from co-teaching classrooms to one-on-one tutoring sessions to family led play groups. Her work includes experiences with early childhood through upper elementary aged children.
Amy believes learning is most meaningful when children have the opportunity to make sense of the information and interactions they have gained through memorable, uniquely challenging and creative experiences, and she is enthusiastic about designing such experiences and supporting children as they explore the world around them.
Amy and her husband have called Northwest Indiana home since 2020. She is the mom of an energetic three year old daughter who loves to play!
Amy can be reached at acurtis@leapsolutions.com.
Brain Boosters Instructor
*Amy is an independent contractor and leads Brain Boosters and Let’s Play Saturday.
Hi! My name is Katie Hall and I am a mom to two littles. I received my Special Education degree at Illinois State University and taught for 5 years before staying home. While staying home with my kids we participate in many community events such as library classes, music classes, and the Duneland Early Learning HUB. My favorite part about being involved in all these classes is watching my kids grow and interact with others.
Katie can be reached at leapsscribblesprouts@gmail.com
LEAPS & Bounds Coordinator/Scribble Sprouts Instructor/ Special Ed Teacher/Diagnostician
Katie Hall
*Katie is an independent contractor who leads our LEAPS & Bounds series, specifically instructing Scribble Sprouts and Summer Sprouts Katie also serves as an educational diagnostician.
Sarah Lerch,
Ed.S., NCSP, IPE
Sarah is a licensed School Psychologist with 8 years of experience. She received her BS in Elementary and Special Education from Indiana University Northwest, her M.Ed. in Education and Psychological Foundations from Valparaiso University, and her Ed.S. in School Psychology from Valparaiso University. Currently, Sarah is pursuing her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in School Psychology from Indiana State University. Sarah serves as the President of Indiana Association of School Psychologists and has been a board member since 2021. Sarah holds the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential and is a member of the National Association of School Psychologists. She was awarded Indiana School Psychologist of the Year in 2022. Sarah obtained her IPE in 2024.
Sarah is excited to join LEAP Solutions in offering NWI children and families diagnostic services, community resources, and support to address academic, social-emotional, and behavioral concerns. She lives in Porter County with her husband and two dogs and is an aunt to two wonderful nieces.
School Psychologist
*Sarah is an independent contractor and provides school psychology services and assists with the A-B-C Screenings.
Catherine Huckstep
BS, MsED
Catherine is a licensed K-12 special education teacher with 30+ years of experience in the field of special education. She earned her BS in elementary/special education from Northern Illinois University and MSEd in secondary special education from Northwest Missouri State University.
Her experiences include:
-Mild Intervention teacher-4-12
-Intense Intervention teacher-4-6
-Developmental Therapist-First Steps/Wee Care Therapy
-Educational Diagnostician-PK-12
-Special Education Case Manager-PK-12 (NISEC)
-Public Agency Rep-K-12 (G.L.A.S.S.)
Catherine recently retired and is excited to join LEAP Solutions to assist with diagnostic services to support NWI students' educational needs. She is the proud parent of Carly and Madelyn and grandparent to three young grandchildren.
Special Ed Teacher/Diagnostician
*Cathy is an independent contractor and serves as a diagnostician for our school contracts.
Diane is a licensed school psychologist with 27 years of experience. She earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Illinois School of Professional Psychology - Chicago Campus, and an additional Master's Degree in School Psychology from Valparaiso University. Diane is a member of the Indiana Association of School Psychologists, and earned her Independent Practice Endorsement in 2025. She has had diverse experiences in working with children from preschool through 12th grade that exhibit social, emotional, behavioral, and academic difficulties. Diane has a passion for uncovering the reasons why children learn and behave as they do, offering her expertise to make recommendations leading to more successful life experiences for the child and family.
Diane is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in partnership with LEAP Solutions, and has appointments available in the evenings and on Saturdays. She enjoys spending time with her husband, adult children, and her granddog.
Diane Jones, MA, IPE
School Psychologist
*Diane is an independent contractor and provides school psychology services at LEAP Solutions.
My name is Lanie Kitchel and am currently a Junior at Indiana University. I’m studying Psychology, and minoring in marketing. I stay involved on campus through my sorority and I love getting coffee and going on walks with friends! I have always had a passion for working with and for children, and have been involved in multiple internships regarding early child development efforts. I hope to learn more about marketing to see if that’s a path I'm interested in pursuing a career in!
