The staff at TROY School are dedicated to supporting students both academically and personally through meaningful relationships and individualized attention. With small class sizes, our team meets students where they are and helps them grow with confidence. Staff members serve as educators, mentors, and advocates, creating a supportive environment where students feel valued and encouraged. Together, they guide each student toward graduation and a positive future.
Executive Director
Hello ! I’m Cindy Baker and I serve as the Executive Director of TROY School, now entering my ninth year of leadership. In my role, I work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure TROY School has the funding and resources needed to operate year after year. In addition, I oversee TROY’s compliance with the Indiana Department of Education ensuring all state reporting requirements are met, I foster strategic relationships with community partners and also lead our fund development and donor stewardship activities.
I am deeply committed to the mission of TROY School and the students we serve. I believe in meeting students where they are and walking alongside them as they discover academic success, many for the very first time. Some of my favorite TROY memories come from watching students achieve their dream of graduating from high school, often sharing that it would not have been possible without TROY. I am passionate about creating a place where every student feels seen, supported, and like they truly belong.
I would love to help more families understand the meaningful impact TROY School has within the community. If your student is struggling in their current setting and needs an alternative path, I would enjoy scheduling a discovery tour for you where you can experience firsthand why so many students find their place, and their potential, at TROY.
I received a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Indiana University (Bloomington) and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Outside of TROY, I love to read, travel, and spend time with my husband and our adult children.
Director of Education
Hello! My name is Megan Horsley, and I am thrilled to introduce myself as the Director of Education for TROY. It is with great enthusiasm that I join this incredible team.
I bring over 20 years of experience in the field of education, having served as a special education teacher, behavior consultant, and director of special education. Throughout my career, I have been deeply committed to supporting students of all abilities and helping them reach their full potential.
I am passionate about building strong relationships and fostering environments where every student feels valued and empowered. I truly believe that each individual possesses unique talents and strengths, and it is our responsibility to nurture and celebrate them.
I look forward to partnering with you as we work together to support the success and well-being of all students.
Academic & Success Coach
Liz graduated from the University of Saint Francis with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She has been working in the field of social work for over 20 years and has been with TROY School for 15 years. Her favorite part about working at TROY is watching the students grow as they move through the program. When she is not at TROY, she enjoys watching sports, crafting & art, traveling and spending time with her husband and three sons.
Front Office Assistant
Ashlee graduated from Taylor University-Fort Wayne with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. For over ten years, she has served at TROY School in a variety of roles, and currently works as our Front Office Assistant. Ashlee enjoys that her responsibilities vary on a daily basis but she especially enjoys getting to interact with the students every day as they enter and exit the building. Ashlee believes TROY School is a great asset to our community by serving a population of students that may have struggled more or fallen through the cracks in a bigger school system. Because of our smaller environment, we are able to provide more individual support that many of our students need to thrive.
Front Office Assistant
Rhiannon has been a vital part of TROY School since April 2017. Her responsibilities include front desk support, coordinating lunches and managing accounts payable and receivables. Rhiannon has an Associate Degree in Business Administration and enjoys helping keep the school’s daily operations organized and running smoothly. Rhiannon’s wide range of responsibilities makes her a huge support for students, staff, and families alike. Rhiannon’s dedication and attention to detail ensure TROY School remains a welcoming place for everyone who walks through the doors.
Health and PE teacher
Brooke has been a member of the TROY community for the past three years. She has held many roles, most recently where she teaches Health, Adult Roles, and Physical Education. Prior to joining TROY, she spent seven years working as a Special Education Paraprofessional, gaining valuable experience supporting diverse learners. She holds a degree in Human Services and has nearly two decades of experience in the healthcare field, further enriching her work and perspective as an educator.
Middle School Teacher
Abby has dedicated more than 20 years to the TROY School family. As a graduate from IPFW with an education degree, she teaches English & Social Studies at the middle school level. Passionate about both education and nurturing growth, Abby has always known she was meant to be a teacher and a mom.
Outside of school, Abby shares a life with her high school sweetheart. Together they are raising two teenage boys. Abby enjoys bringing a motherly presence into her classroom, creating a supportive environment where students are encouraged to learn and be themselves.
Abby is dedicated to helping students grow academically and personally while creating connections in the classroom. If you are looking for a welcoming, safe space where students feel comfortable and are cared for by a staff that is committed to making a positive difference, TROY school may be the place for you.
Middle School Teacher
I have been proud to serve at TROY School for the past six years. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is working with students who need extra support and are eager to learn. I enjoy helping students build confidence, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential in a positive, encouraging environment.
I graduated from Columbia City High School in 1999 before attending Hillsdale College on a basketball scholarship, where I studied Elementary Education. I later completed my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Tri-State University and hold a current teaching license.
I believe TROY School has an outstanding team of dedicated professionals who genuinely care about the academic success and well-being of every student. One of the things I value most about TROY is its commitment to providing a judgment-free learning environment where students can learn at their own pace, develop confidence, and experience success.
College and Career Coordinator
I have served at TROY School for the past six years, where I am passionate about supporting students and families through career-focused opportunities. I have enjoyed partnering with Whitko Career Academy and most recently Columbia City High School to help students explore career development pathways to better prepare them for future success after graduation.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from The University of Saint Francis. I believe my background in social work strengthens my commitment to build meaningful relationships with students and families.
I encourage families seeking a smaller learning environment that feels like a family to consider TROY as their school of choice, where students are supported, seen and empowered to succeed.
Special Education Coordinator
Hello! My name is Angela, and I am the Special Education Coordinator at TROY. I joined TROY in February 2025 as a long-term special education substitute and transitioned into the role of Special Education Coordinator in fall 2025. With more than 30 years in education, I hold degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education K-12 from Nazareth College. I have also completed graduate-level coursework in reading remediation through Western Michigan University and am currently pursuing certification in emotional disabilities through Ball State University. Throughout my career, I have taught middle school special education, first- and second-grade looping classrooms, and homeschool cooperative classes serving students from preschool through high school. For more than 15 years, my family also fostered approximately 60 children, many with disabilities or additional educational, behavioral, or emotional needs. Together, these experiences have shaped my belief that every child deserves to be understood, valued, and supported as an individual.
One of the things I value most about my role at TROY School is the opportunity to collaborate with students, families, and staff to understand each student’s unique needs and support their success. Strong relationships, consistency, and a focus on the whole child are essential to helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. That’s one of the reasons I believe TROY is such a special place. We are committed to meeting students where they are, celebrating their progress, and helping them build confidence, discover their strengths, and reach their full potential. I look forward to partnering with families to ensure every student feels supported, challenged, and encouraged to succeed.
Social Studies Teacher
With more than 28 years of teaching experience (2 ½ years at TROY), Michelle is passionate about engaging high school students in class and helping them connect the lessons of the past to the world around them today. She is committed to building meaningful relationships with students while fostering a strong sense of community both inside and outside the classroom. Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Baldwin-Wallace University and her Master of Science degree from Miami University (OH). In addition to her work at TROY, Michelle also serves as an Adjunct Program Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty at Indiana Wesleyan University.
High School Math Teacher
Kyle has been part of the TROY community for three years and serves as our high school math teacher. After graduating high school, he launched his own business, Performance Rental. Later, he chose to pursue his passion for education, sold the business, and is now completing his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a specialization in mathematics.
Academic & Success Coach
I have worked at TROY for 24 years. I have seen TROY School go through many transitions and have seen the growth in our program. I genuinely love my role at TROY in getting to build relationships with students and see them set both academic and personal goals as an academic & success coach. Giving students opportunities to grow personally and academically gives me great joy!! In my time off I really enjoy spending time with friends and family and traveling. I graduated from Grace College with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology.
High School Teacher
Mark joined the TROY School team in 2026 as a substitute teacher and then as a part time staff member teaching science for the 2026.2027 school year.
Mark is a Whitley county native, attending Etna Troy school Thorncreek school and Columbia City Joint High School graduating in 1971. Mark received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Education and spent 29 years in the classroom. Mark is also an avid historian and was the Whitley County Historian and is also a 35 year Historical Reenactor. He and his wife, Tamera, have four adult children, Aaron, Adam, Andrew & Alexander and seven grandchildren that they enjoy spending time with.
Mental Health Counselor
I began my work at TROY School in 2012 and have had the privilege of supporting students, families, and the school community ever since. I am passionate about helping children and adolescents navigate the social, emotional, and academic challenges they may experience throughout their school years.
I earned my Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling from the University of Saint Francis and later obtained my Mental Health Certification from Butler University. My education and experience have provided me with a strong foundation in both school counseling and mental health, allowing me to support students from a whole-child perspective.
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with students and families at TROY and to be part of their growth and success.
Middle School Teacher
My name is Kristen Schuman and I have worked at Troy School for 11 years. Over the years I have taught middle school and high school courses but I currently teach in the middle school. I have an Elementary Education degree from Ball State University. I enjoy teaching and what I love most is helping students discover how smart they are and find their talents. Troy School is a safe place for students to learn and meet students where they are in their learning journey.
High School English and Speech Teacher
Hello! My name is Stacy and I am going into my 6th year here at Troy. I have been the high school English teacher since starting and last year added a speech/communications class for the seniors. I graduated from PFW with a masters in professional Speaking. My bachelors from PFW was interpersonal and organizational communications with a minor in psychology. I feel that these degrees help me to better connect with and understand our students. The learning comes easier when your other needs are met. I believe Troy is a great resource in our community for kids who don’t necessarily fit into the box of public schools. I love what I do here, and I’m grateful for the people I work with, and the kids I work for!
High School Science Teacher & TROY School registrar
Hi, I’m Jackie, and I’ve been at TROY School for 11 years. During my time here, I’ve taught both science and math classes. I earned my bachelor’s degree in education from IPFW and am licensed to teach math, science, and social studies. Before completing my degree, I also spent 12 years working as a paraprofessional in the resource room for a local school corporation. Those experiences have given me the opportunity to work with students with a wide variety of learning styles, needs, and goals.
To me, TROY is truly a school of second chances. It’s a place where students can get a fresh start when a traditional school setting hasn’t worked for them. Our smaller student-to-teacher ratios allow us to provide more individualized support, and our students have access to unique opportunities within the community as well as CTE classes through Whitko and CCHS.
One of the things I value most about TROY is that we have the time and opportunity to really get to know each student. We can meet students where they are, recognize their individual strengths and challenges, and help them build a path toward where they want and need to be. TROY gives students the chance to start again, find what works for them, and realize that success can look different for everyone.
Student Support Staff
Natalee has been part of TROY for five years. She holds a degree in Marketing and has a professional background in Social Work. After spending a few years working directly with students, she transitioned to a behind-the-scenes role following the arrival of her son in 2025. Natalee enjoys making coffee, crafting, and taking family walks with her husband, son, and their dog.
