Photo provided
Krueger social worker Lindsey Browning (right) and her son, Beau, get swallowed by a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex at a summer festival in 2023.
KMS’ Browning goes extra mile for students
By Morgan Powenski
Staff writer
MICHIGAN CITY – Even as a kid, Lindsey Browning was always there for others.
Browning, a social worker at Krueger Middle School, was that one friend that people would come talk to about their problems.
“I enjoyed playing that role, and it made me feel good helping other people,” Browning said.
The thing she was passionate about as a kid, she grew up and did it as a grownup.
“She gives a good outlook to things and influences the school and other people to be a better person,” said Miles Spangler, a KMS eighth grader.
Before any of this happened, she grew up in a good neighborhood and was one of those kids that played outside all day.
“My life was very good,” Browning said.
Her family had a sense of humor and liked horror movies, and her dad had a big influence on her.
“Even though I would think it was impossible, he would push me to do my best,” she said.
Browning’s mom would volunteer a lot in her community, including at church and Meals on Wheels.
“My mom was so much in it with that kindness and empathy,” Browning said.
Her grandma was also important in her life as she grew up.
“Grandmas are the best,” she said. “She made me toast in the middle of the night, and they always have sweaters and cats and they cook and bake.”
She began cheerleading each year and went to Michigan City High School and started to cheer there, too. After the effort of being a cheerleader for years she became the cheerleading captain.
She graduated from high school in 2003. She got a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Indiana University. Then, she got a master’s degree at the University of Illinois Chicago. She got into social work and really enjoys it.
“Seeing people in pain and wishing I could take that pain away, that’s hard, but someone has to do it,” Browning said.
As she helped students, one especially inspired her. He was a student that had behavioral issues and a severe emotional problem. He would be verbally and physically aggressive towards people. He also had zero interest in school education.
”It was incredibly challenging,” Browning said.
She and other workers helped him for years.
“We worked so hard with him and built (a) relationship with his family,” she said.
Once he knew that they were there for him, after a year or two, they saw him improve. Now he is in his 20s and working as a pastor in a church.
“When you think of a pastor, they guide and support,” Browning said. “And, now (that) I think about it, it’s pretty cool.”
Video by Jill Grabowski
Former Michigan City High School cheerleader Lindsey Browning dusts off her cheerleading skills at a school assembly in the KMS gymnasium.
She also brought this happy feeling to Krueger, and she makes people feel like they belong.
“I really like working with Ms. Browning because I feel like there’s two of me now instead of just one, so that is a big help for me,” said KMS guidance counselor Karen Hartman. “Even though she has cooler toys than me.”
Principal Josh Malone also sees the positive influence she has on students.
“(Students) know that they can confide in her and speak to her, and she has their best interests at heart,” he said.
According to Miles, Browning is a great counselor.
“She’s a friend when you need a friend,” Miles said.
She’s a friend and so much more. She handles attendance issues, talks to students about their problems and helps them resolve conflict with each other. However, what she’s most proud of is how the students are willing to talk about their problems.
“I’m proud of our generation,” Browning said. “It is so open to talking about mental health, when 20 years ago, if you were going to see the social worker or the counselor it usually was not something that many people did or it really signified a problem.”
In her personal life she enjoys hobbies like reading, gardening, cooking, decorating and traveling.
These days, she is still pretty social and outgoing.
“I like people and I don’t want to sit behind a desk all day,” Browning said. “I want to do work with people.”
For the future, she just wants to take her days step by step.
“I am torn between always thinking about the future and just taking a deep breath and having to take things day by day.” she said.
Still, her main goal is to raise a healthy child and watch him grow.
“I just want to be a good mom and run a happy family,” she said. “And, continue working.”
When Browning is not with her own family, she’s proud to be part of the Krueger family.
“There’s a lot of positive things that are happening here,” she said. “Especially the staff members who think of a common goal of working together.”