About

As a leader, I foster a culture that values life beyond the workday, so that any colleague in any role feels empowered to prioritize their home lives as well. We live in a demanding community and work in a profession with high expectations for our teachers, leaders, and support staff. Now, as we are focusing on students’ social-emotional health more than ever, it is only natural to extend this focus to the educators who serve them.

I'm fortunate that my family team supports my work and is always with me.

EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY

Coeur d'Alene HS

High School Diploma

Coeur d'Alene, ID

1987-1991

University of Idaho

Bachelor of Arts - Visual Communication/ Broadcasting

1992-1996

University of Idaho

Bachelor of Arts - Education/ Journalism

1996-1998

University of Idaho

Master of Arts - Curriculum and Instruction

1998-2003

University of Idaho

Educational Specialist - Educational Leadership

2003-2005

University of Idaho

Doctor of Philosophy - Educational Leadership

2005-2015

CERTIFICATIONS

KG-12 Spanish

06-12 Journalism

KG-12 Administrator

KG-12 Superintendent

Current Idaho Certifications

If you're going to encourage students to push their limits and to never stop learning, you also need to demonstrate that drive yourself. Here are my current Idaho credentials, linked to the Idaho certification lookup tool:

EXPERIENCE

High School Teacher

[1997-2007]Garfield-Palouse High SchoolCoeur d'Alene High School
I started teacher before earning a certification. This unique opportunity to use my second language and teach while enrolled in university coursework provided me a true experimental and innovative approach to planning and teaching.
In the classroom, I was considered innovative. Even today, I'm continually on a quest for new ways to inspire our students and help them stretch their minds. I also became the school's acclaimed technology guru, maintaining a classroom equipped with the latest technology, such as hand-held clickers that instantly recorded how students answer a given question. This formative approach to language learning allowed me to see instantly which students' answers need correcting and to adjust my instruction along the way. Plus, incorporating technologies also kept students actively involved in daily lessons and encouraged them to interact more openly in class. I was early to develop and maintain a Web site for my classes, which students, parents and teachers used to access grades, handouts and assignments, or to contact me for extra help. The site even featured discussion boards that students can use to participate in online study groups.
I am always ready and willing to share my learned knowledge with colleagues and take time to demonstrate in ways that make sense and build understanding and confidence.

Assistant Principal

[2007-2010]Coeur d'Alene High School
It was difficult making the shift to building administration, especially in the same building from which I graduated and, then, ironically, had to evaluate some of my former teachers.
However, as a member of a four-person team, I took the same approach as I did in the classroom - to treat others with a learning approach while maintaining the integrity and traditions of the school. I was mostly charged with :• developing the curricular and instructional programs;• providing trust-based decisions about student discipline and attendance;• serving on the building's technology leadership team and regularly provided "Tech Talks" to all staff;• providing professional learning to Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) staff• creator of master schedule• coordinated counseling and special education programs• collaborated with a variety of foreign exchange hosting agencies;• grant writing;• leading marketing efforts and community relations, among others

In this position, I became more aware of my strengths and weaknesses and began developing my leadership style, natural strengths, and areas in which I could grow. Although it may seem elementary, having a strong sense of self-awareness of who I am has paid dividends as I developed relationships with more stakeholders than ever before.

Director of Curriculum & Assessment

[2010-2019]Coeur d'Alene Public Schools
On a spring day, the district superintendent made an unannounced visit and interrupted a meeting with the building principal to let me know that I was being transferred to the district office. This was bittersweet as CHS had always been my "Valhalla."
However, in the time of "No Child Left Behind," increased focus has been given to standardized assessments and visualizing analytics has always been a strength.
During my time working with the district’s assessment program, I saw connections to our curricular professional development, and work with our technology and special Education departments to ensure student engagement and relevance for all students and to bring alignment to our district's efforts.
Only after a few months, I also inherited the districtwide responsibilities for developing and maintaining curricula which had been done in a "buckshot" approach. I worked with the district administration, trustees, instructional coaches, and lead teachers to fast-track new curricular documents and updated instructional materials, increasing the scope of both within three years.
The 2019 CMSi Curriculum Audit identified, in part, that the organizational chart placed too many responsibilities on this position, which was split later that year.

Director of Assessment & System Performance

[2019-2023]Coeur d'Alene Public Schools\
The release of the Curriculum Audit was difficult for many of us in our district as no one wants to hear about the "deficits" in our work. However, that was the intent of the audit - to match our current performance to their recognized standards.
After the position was split, I took on new responsibilities - adding "system performance" to my title. This part asks me to use my skills for data visualization and apply them to performance-based budgeting decisions. Certainly, we should not continue to maintain "business as usual" when the investment is not reaping dividends.
In continuing my work with our assessment program, I developed two frameworks - the Comprehensive Assessment Framework and System Performance Framework, both adopted in 2020. These important documents connect research to practice and reinforce our commitment to quality resources and results.
While we all navigated and adjusted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I stayed involved with our district's work - providing guidance on using assessment results formatively even in a blended environment.
In the 2022 school year, our superintendent asked me to coordinate our district's contract with a professional grant writer. To date, we have submitted over $1.5M in applications, some already funded.

Deputy Superintendent

[2022-Current]Coeur d'Alene Public Schools
My greatest passion in leadership is teaching and learning. In 2022, the consolidation of two positions allowed us to open a new deputy superintendency.
In this role, I supervise all directors associated with the instructional side of District operations, including the executive directors of elementary and secondary education, special education director, and coordinators of curriculum, federal programs, assessments and curriculum.
I serve as the Superintendent in their absence; provide day-to-day leadership for the District; provide leadership and direction to all departments to ensure alignment and attainment of strategic plan objectives and goals; represent the Superintendent at official school and community functions; and inform the Superintendent of changes in trends, laws, rules, or regulations.
As a native in our community, I advise the Superintendent on issues within our district community, communicate with the School Board and the community regarding district programs; ensure compliance with state and federal regulations; administer the school district’s budget; and supervise all other leaders, as appropriate.

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Current Idaho Certifications

High School Teacher

Assistant Principal

Director of Curriculum & Assessment

Director of Assessment & System Performance

Deputy Superintendent

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