Mr. Alexander is beginning his first year at Midwest as the Personal Fitness, Health, and Boost Instructor. He loves to help students succeed and reach their goals. A main goal of his is to help create healthy, active habits for Midwest's students to take beyond the classroom. Outside of Midwest, Mr. Alexander enjoys spending time with his wife, Kaitlyn, his two dogs, playing disc golf or tennis, and watching Ohio State football.

Mrs. Pulos-Alexander has a Master’s degree in Art Therapy which serves as a foundation for how she support students. She is passionate about creative expression, community, relationship building, and constant learning. She uses a variety of techniques and approaches in Art Therapy to support our students in emotional regulation and processing, interpersonal interactions, and personal growth. As the Coordinator of Student Activities and Athletics, Mrs. Pulos-Alexander organizes, plans, and facilitates summer camps, afterschool programs, and special events. She is in awe everyday of our students’ beautiful minds, creativity, kindness, and intelligence.

• B.S., Psychology, Anderson University

Mrs. Baker is the Social Studies teacher for middle school at Midwest Academy. She received her bachelor’s of Psychology from Anderson University where she spent time researching and presenting on mental health stigmas. At Midwest, you will often see her working with students, in aftercare, at recess, and leading various clubs. In her spare time, she enjoys baking and decorating cakes.

<ul class=”team-ul”>
<li>B.S., Elementary/Early Childhood Education, Indiana University</li>
<li>M.S., Elementary Education, IUPUI</li>
</ul>
Ms. Bess teaches Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Probability/Statistics and Precalculus. She enjoys teaching math and wants students to know that math doesn’t have to be as scary as they think. She has experience teaching math in Florida and Massachusetts. She also taught with the Department of Defense Schools in Germany and England. Judy’s favorite quote by Robert Frost: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” She enjoys reading, traveling, getting together with friends, sewing, and cross-stitch.

&lt;ul class=”team-ul”&gt;
&lt;li&gt;B.A., Social Studies Education, Purdue University&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
Katie has worked with children with learning differences since she graduated from Purdue. Midwest is a second home to Katie; the staff and students are family to her. She is here because of the kids who she finds simply amazing, including her own son. In addition to helping families find a place at Midwest, Katie teaches Government and Economics to our high school students. Her favorite quote: “Do not train children to learn by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds so that you may be able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.” She enjoys photography, loves history, and is a die-hard Notre Dame football fan.

&amp;amp;lt;ul class=”team-ul”&amp;amp;gt;
&amp;amp;lt;li&amp;amp;gt;B.S., Psychology, Springfield College&amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;gt;
&amp;amp;lt;li&amp;amp;gt;M.Ed., Elementary Education, Lesley University&amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;gt;
&amp;amp;lt;li&amp;amp;gt;Certificate in Fundraising Management, IU School of Philanthropy&amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;gt;
&amp;amp;lt;li&amp;amp;gt;Certificate in Non-Profit Business Management, IU Kelley School of Business&amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;gt;
&amp;amp;lt;li&amp;amp;gt;M.A., Exercise Sports Science/Administration, University of North Carolina&amp;amp;lt;/li&amp;amp;gt;
&amp;amp;lt;/ul&amp;amp;gt;
As the Head of School and also a parent of a child with learning differences, Kevin focuses on keeping the child at the center of everything we do. His passion is to provide a progressive education for kids with learning differences since he has seen the tremendous difference that it makes in their lives. After being drawn to these complex learners as a teacher over 25 years ago, he believes that progressive education fits with their unique stages of development. Kevin joined Midwest in 2010 and provided leadership in the areas of Counseling, Transition Planning, and Curriculum Development. He then focused on relocation and growth of the school in 2012. As Head of School since 2013, Kevin has focused on strengthening our mission, staff development, and student programming. At school, you will find him interacting with students on a day-to-day basis, developing teachers, and leading staff to achieve Midwest’s strategic goals. He enjoys coaching soccer, tinkering with tools, reading books, kayaking, hiking, and fly fishing.

&lt;ul class=”team-ul”&gt;
&lt;li&gt;B.S., Psychology with a minor in Interpersonal Relations, Ball State University&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;M.S., Counseling, Butler University – in progress&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
This is Madie’s sixth year working at Midwest Academy on the counseling team. She received her bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in interpersonal relations as well as human development at Ball State University. She is currently in her third year as a graduate student at Butler University in the school counseling program. Currently, Madie is developing and delivering a comprehensive guidance program with over 180 guidance lessons involving social and emotional work, practical life skills as well as careers and transitions. She chose to work at Midwest Academy to open her eyes to a unique school setting with an opportunity to learn more about individuals with learning differences and pursue her passion of addressing and fostering the social-emotional needs of students.

&lt;ul class=”team-ul”&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&amp;nbsp;B.S., Secondary Science Education, Indiana University&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
Chad has been with Midwest for over 20 years. As a key leader, Chad helps our kids work through social and academic issues, helps teachers with accommodations for students, and ensures a positive learning and social environment is maintained for our middle school students. Additionally, Chad teaches Ecology, Astronomy, Chemistry and Biology. He helps students explore and solve problems by applying science concepts in interactive projects and experiments. He leads our exciting Astronomy Nights throughout the school year. He enjoys camping, building models, and launching rockets.

<ul class=”team-ul”>
<li>B.S.M., Music Composition, Lincoln Christian College</li>
</ul>
Alicia fell in love with Midwest when she first joined several years ago to lead our music program, which includes daily music classes, choir, music theory and drama. Our school is always brimming full of excitement around our winter program and our theatre productions, as you see everyone participating in music, acting, and/or stage production. She has a true gift in encouraging our kids to try new things, uncover and grow hidden talents, and grow their confidence. Being a second-degree black belt, she has also introduced Taekwondo to our students as an afternoon elective to help grow their confidence. You can see the deep love she has for our students and in the work that she does. She likes classical and classic rock music. She enjoys painting with watercolors and collecting stamps.

<ul class=”team-ul”>
<li>B.S.W., Social Work, West Virginia University</li>
</ul>
Ryan is a 2021 graduate from West Virginia University. Originally from New Jersey, her family recently relocated to Indiana where she has decided to begin her career. Ryan has a variety of experiences helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Before arriving at Midwest Academy, she volunteered and worked in areas of need for both geriatrics and child behavioral care. When she is not at school, Ryan enjoys painting, drawing, and the creative arts in general. She also danced classical ballet for 15 years. Ryan plans to continue her education and looks forward to her first year working at Midwest Academy!

<ul class=”team-ul”>
<li>B.S., Interpersonal Communications, University of Evansville</li>
</ul>
At Midwest, Phil serves the counseling team as a behavior specialist. Among his role he also teaches the Make It Take It elective course. Phil was born in Indianapolis and lived in Westfield for most of his childhood. He has worked with kids of all different backgrounds for a majority of his life.&amp;amp;nbsp; After some time away in unrelated fields, he realized his passion for working with children and strived to find the ideal place to get back to what he loves doing. Phil believes he has found that here at Midwest.