PCES Names Hawkins as Executive Director

Porter County Education Services (PCES) welcomes Dr. Erin Hawkins as the new Executive Director for Special Education through a special service agreement between PCES and Valparaiso Community Schools.  Hawkins currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent for Valparaiso Community Schools and will continue to be an employee of VCS while serving in the Executive Director role for PCES. 

PCES serves seven Porter County school corporations:  Duneland, East Porter, MSD Boone, Porter Township, Portage, Valparaiso, and Union Township for special education and career and technical education programming and services.  “Dr. Hawkins is a proven leader and we are excited that she has chosen to accept this new assignment.  Her leadership will now impact not just Valpo students, but the youth throughout the county,” said Valparaiso Superintendent, Dr. Jim McCall.  Hawkins is replacing Sandy Bodnar, who is retiring at the end of the school year.  “We are appreciative of the leadership Sandy has provided during our recent transition to a shared service model where many of our programs and services are now the responsibility of individual districts,” said Duneland Superintendent, Dr. Chip Pettit. 

Since 2019, Hawkins has led Student Support Services in Valparaiso including special education and social workers after beginning her career as an elementary teacher in 2001.  “I look forward to Dr. Hawkins meeting with current PCES staff, parents, and leadership from all seven school corporations.  This is a great day for kids in Porter County,” said East Porter Superintendent, Dr. Aaron Case. 

“Erin brings the kind of vision, experience, and commitment that will help us take the next big step—building Center of Excellence-level programming that truly serves our students, educators, and communities. Her leadership will be a key driver as we work to elevate what’s possible in our special education programming,” said Porter Township Superintendent, Dr. Stacey Schmidt. Hawkins is ready to hit the ground running.  “I am honored to serve PCES in this capacity.  I get excited when I think about new opportunities to do great things for our students, and I am eager to begin the collaboration that’s ahead of us to do just that,” she said. 

Hawkins will begin the transition into the new leadership position during the month of June with an official start date of July 1st.