Welcome from our director

Welcome to Neighbors' Educational Opportunities. I know that I speak for the entire NEO family when I say that we will do everything we can to support you on your journey to achieving your educational goals.  Our programs are designed to provide you with multiple opportunities and support systems to reach your destination.  

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Neighbors' New Vistas Alternative High School and Neighbors Adult Education are built on the “Golden Rule” - Treat others as you would have them treat you.  With this principle as our guide, we pledge to recognize, respect, and celebrate the unique value of each member of our school community.  We look forward to getting to know each one of you.  Learning is maximized when a school culture is rooted in respect, responsibility, and commitment to learning.  At New Vistas, we provide a relevant and rigorous curriculum delivered in a way that allows each student to find success during the school year and along the path following graduation.  Individualized learning plans are an important part of the process.

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I am here to assist you in your pursuit of the skills needed for success in this school, home, workplace, and in the community.  Please feel free to speak with me about any questions or concerns. Once again, welcome to your new school.  I am so glad you are here. 

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- Rebecca Reiner, Executive Director NEO New Vistas HS and Adult Education

Deborah Birch

President

Marie Robinson

Treasurer

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​Marie is the Branch Manager of the Gary - Glen Park Branch for Centier Bank.  She was born and reared in East Chicago.  She attended St. Stanislaus School and graduated from Bishop Noll Institute.  She received her B.S. in Restaurant, Hotel & Institutional Management form Purdue University Calumet.  Marie wants the opportunity to help those who need an alternate learning environment in order to thrive.  NEO’s goals, through the Adult Education program and New Vistas High School align with hers because of her experience with the struggles her daughter endured while in school.   If she can help alleviate some of that hardship for someone else then she has accomplished her goal.  Sometimes the traditional school setting is not the correct fit for the student.  She wants to ensure there is more than one path to help someone become his or her greatest version of themselves.

Paul Schreiner

Secretary

Isaac Carr

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Isaac is a local Attorney who believes that education is the best way to change our community for the better.  His passion is driven by his personal experiences with poverty which pushed him to gain the skills and knowledge to help others who seek to rise above their circumstances to reach their dreams.  The path to reaching those dreams begins with access to quality education and the opportunities to apply that education.  NEO, through its adult education program and New Vistas High School, provides such possibilities to change our community for the better.

Mark Lutze

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Based on a career that spanned forty years in education, I am aware that there are students whose educational needs are not well served in the traditional educational setting.  I am excited to work with fellow board members and the staff to provide an option for those students, complementing the good work done in the public schools. I believe that NEO serves to fill an important need in our community, and I look forward to work with the board to set direction and develop policies and that will help in making the organization thrive.

Kimmie LaBarge

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Kimmie LaBarge is the Director of Marketing & Communications for Ivy Tech Community College’s Valparaiso campus. She has been working in higher education since 2010. What she loves most about working for a community college is the accessibility it offers to those in her own community pursuing goals that will better themselves and their families. Her favorite day of the year is seeing students and families celebrate their hard work at the commencement ceremony!

Kimmie was part of the Valpo Chamber Leadership Academy’s Class of 2019 which inspired her to seek opportunities to engage as a leader in the community and join NEO’s board of directors in 2020. She also serves in music and women’s ministry leadership at her local church in Portage. She lives with her husband, Danny and bulldog, Winston in Chesterton

Alicia Rios

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​Alicia is a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Duneland Council #5016.  She has been a member of LULAC for 29 years.  A former LULAC National Vice President and the Immediate Past LULAC Vice President for the Elderly.  She is also a former member of the LNESC Board and a current member of The Military Service Academy Board under the direction of Congressman Peter Visclosky.  Growing up in East Chicago, Alicia attended East Chicago Washington High School and is a graduate of Bishop Noll Institute.  As a member of LULAC she is passionate about her service community efforts.  In a combined partnership with NEO and LULAC, and with her help, it was possible to have acquired the Ford Driving Dreams Grant, a 2 year educational STEM program.

Jennifer Jennings

Business Manager

Clifton Rhodes

Director of School Safety

Brooke Allen

Director of Communications

and Development

Paula Siminski

HSE Testing

Nichole Westley

AM Receptionist

Sarah Rubio

PM Receptionist

Tracey Layton-Dosen

PM Receptionist

Yvonne Cotton

Data Clerk

Rodney Willis

Custodial

Charles Johnson

Custodial

Sam Swope

Custodial

Marsha Halford

Food Service