A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Tonya James
- By: Claire Kenney
- Last Updated: March 11, 2026
Tonya James serves as LifeWise Academy Director of the La Porte Corporation Systems. She is highly thought of throughout the La Porte community.
“Tonya is the main reason LifeWise exists in La Porte,” said one local community member. “She is wonderful and is very dedicated to her job, her team, her faith, and her students.”
LifeWise offers a Bible-based curriculum to public school students. A national, non-profit organization, LifeWise has local chapters in cities across the United States. When a public school partners with LifeWise, the school’s parents can choose to place their children in LifeWise in lieu of one extracurricular class each week.
“The curriculum is Bible-based, and students will go through the entire Bible in 5 years,” said James. “LifeWise doesn’t just teach Bible stories, but they enforce character traits with each lesson; kindness, loyalty, sacrifice, honesty, etc. The LifeWise lessons not only teach incredible stories from the Bible, but also show the connection to Jesus in every lesson.”
James can’t speak highly enough about LifeWise.
“LifeWise is an incredible program,” she said.
The program continues to expand locally and across the country.
“LifeWise Academy is growing by leaps and bounds,” said James. “We now serve 61,385 students around the country and have programs in 37 states. LifeWise Academy is an incredible program that is reaching so many students and making a lasting impact on their lives.”
James has lived in La Porte for many decades.
“I have lived in La Porte my entire life,” she said. “I was born and raised in La Porte, Indiana.”
James appreciates many aspects of La Porte. She loves living here.
“I love the community, the people, and the relationships I have made over a lifetime,” she said. “La Porte is beautiful, especially in the fall. My family lives here, so that is what makes me love it the most.”
Both in her work and outside, James is a woman of faith.
“I am active in my church, the La Porte Missionary Church,” she said. “I mentor 5 students in middle and high school here in La Porte.”
James has many hobbies that involve some aspect of fitness.
“I enjoy being outside, specifically in the warmer months,” said James. “I enjoy activities like walking, strength training, and Zumba.”
She is very close to her family and recently became a grandmother for the fourth time.
“By far my favorite thing to do is spend time with my family,” she said. “We have seven children and four grandchildren.”
While she finds time for hobbies, her work is her true passion.
“I love seeing students who have never heard these stories or read a Bible see the stories come to life (each student is given a Bible of their very own),” said James. “I love how our community of believers and churches have come together to support LifeWise here in La Porte. I love the relationships that have been built as a result of LifeWise coming to La Porte, but most importantly, I love that the students have a chance to learn a biblical worldview versus the worldview that is presented all around them today.”
James is an asset in many ways to La Porte. Some of those include business owner, mother, grandmother, and neighbor.