One of ANSER's teachers is nationally certified, as well as our Education Director (principal). Being a nationally certified teacher is one of the highest honors a teacher can achieve. Only 313 teachers are certified in Idaho. (about .0225) The National Board certifies applicants for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Applicants undergo an evaluation that includes written exams, portfolios and teaching videos, and fewer than half succeed on their first try. Pupils of certified teachers improved an average of seven percent more on their year-end math and reading tests than pupils whose teachers attempted but failed to gain the certification. Learn more at http://www.nbpts.org/iam/parent.cfm.
Administration
Heather Dennis
Organization Director
After ten years as an ANSER parent, three years serving on the ANSER Community Board and four years on Family Council Heather joined the ANSER staff in August 2010. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Developmental Psychology. Her career has spanned the non-profit sector at organizations such as the Early Childhood Autism Project, Community Living Opportunities where she served children and adults disabilities to the Center for Community Change, a national non-profit dedicated to social justice issues. She feels very fortunate to have joined the ANSER staff where she can continue to dedicate her time to creating positive change for families and her community. Born and raised in Idaho she enjoys camping, snowboarding and spending time with her husband and three children.
Teresa England
Community Based Curriculum Director/Junior High Electives Coordinator Teresa received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from Northern Arizona University. She completed a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Boise State University in 2006. Her teaching experience includes elementary, middle school and university students. International travel experience includes England, Turkey, Italy, Greece, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, Switzerland, Mexico, and Canada. Her daughter, Cynthia, is an ANSER graduate. Cynthia and mom enjoy long car trips together, ceramic painting, island hopping in Lake Payette and chocolate chip cookies. During the summer of 2009 she continued to improve her golf game and tried out a few guitar lessons. She is looking forward to traveling overseas with her teen daughter. A trip to England and Greece is currently in the planning stages for the 2011 summer.
Suzanne Gregg
Principal/Education Director Suzanne Gregg is a founding member of ANSER Charter School. She began her career at ANSER as an Early Childhood Crew Leader. Her role then transformed into one of Instructional Guide and she now serves as the Education Director/Principal. Suzanne has her BA both in Speech Pathology from Southern Colorado State University and Elementary Education from Mary College. Her master’s degree is in School Administration and her doctorate is in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in school renewal. Suzanne has taught pre-school through college level. She is a National Board Certified Teacher. She enjoys decorating, painting, reading, and spending time with her husband of 31 years and their three adult children and three grandchildren.
Kindergarten Crew & AAAYC
Nancy Brennan
AAAYC
Nancy Brennan is the mother of four children at Anser. She holds a current state of Idaho teaching certificate. Early childhood holds a special place in her heart as she learned so much working at BSU's Children's Center while she pursued her BA in Elementary Education. Her interests include gardening, cooking, being creative and always learning new things.
Jamie Claussen
Kindergarten Crew Leader/Exceptional Child Services
Jamie Claussen will be teaching kindergarten for the first time. She will also be helping Exceptional Child Services K-8 again this year in the afternoon. Last year she was the K-4 Exceptional Child Educator. Jamie earned her Dual Bachelor of Arts in Special Edcuation/Elementary Education in 2009 from Boise State University. She looks forward to attaining her master's over the next 5 years in Educational Leadership. Jamie is also a varsity volleyball coach at Capital High School. Outside of school she enjoys family, camping, playing volleyball, playing with her dog, and listening to music.
Mary Griffin
AAAYC
Mary has been involved as an Anser parent and volunteer since Anser’s first year. She has three daughters, two of which are Anser alumni, and a current Anser 7thgrader. She has a BS in psychology and two years of graduate work in Human Development from the University of Illinois. She currently is an Early Childhood teacher at The Children’s School, where she works with toddlers and three year olds, and is delighted to be working in the new afternoon AAAYC program. In her free time, Mary loves to walk her dog, spend time in her garden, read and travel.
Anne Moore
Kindergarten Crew Leader Anne Moore has taught kindergarten since 2003. Anne earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. She looks forward to attaining her master's over the next 5 years. Anne also teaches private art lessons and classes and tutors children from first grade and up. Outside of school she enjoys family, hiking, biking, camping, horseback riding, swimming, snowboarding, art and music.
Early Childhood Crew
Sara Garrett
Early Childhood Teacher
Sara joined the Early Childhood team in the fall of 2009. Prior to teaching at ANSER, Sara taught for six years in a Montessori classroom in Boise and three years at therapeutic wilderness program for teens in North Carolina. She graduated from Cornell University with a BA in Psychology. While at Cornell, Sara developed her passion for experiential education and expeditionary learning through teaching Outdoor Leadership for Cornell Outdoor Education and tutoring in a 2nd and 3rd grade classroom. When she's not in the classroom, Sara enjoys exploring Idaho's great outdoors and teaching whitewater kayaking and guiding rafts for her husband's outfitting business, Riverroots, Ltd.
Kelly Selvage
Early Childhood Crew Member Kelly is a 2008 crewmember addition at ANSER. Kelly is on the Early Childhood team (multi-ages 6 and 7 years). Her B.A. degree was earned from Boise State University in Elementary Education. Kelly worked as a Title I Teacher in elementary schools for more than five years. Kelly enjoys a busy life outside of teaching by keeping pace with three children, a fishing husband and the family dog. Kelly’s interests include reading, cooking, crossword puzzles, knitting, and quite walks on the beach.
Jennifer Trople
Early Childhood Teacher
Jennifer Trople joined the EC team at ANSER during the 2009-2010 school year. She previously taught for nine years in Washington state, and two in Munich, Germany. While in Germany, she and her husband, Dallas managed to visit 18 countries. They decided to move back to Boise, where Jennifer grew up, to be closer to family. When she is not inhabiting school, Jennifer can be found riding her bike, hiking, creating art, or on her couch reading or plotting her next adventures with Dallas and crazy cat, Lucy. Jennifer currently holds a Masters in Education, as well as National Board Certification in Early-Childhood Literacy
Middle Childhood
Melissa Allen
Middle Childhood Teacher
Melissa Allen is a founding crewmember of ANSER. She leads a Middle Childhood crew (3rd and 4th graders). Her B.A. and M.A. degrees were earned from Boise State University in Elementary Education with a Reading emphasis. Melissa worked as a reading specialist in elementary schools for more than 20 years. During her leisure time, she enjoys being with her husband, and children. Melissa's outside interests include reading, gardening, ice skating and going to the theater.
Belinda Bowler
Middle Childhood Crew Leader
Belinda joined the Anser crew in the fall of 2008. She had been teaching 2ndand 3rdgrade at Star Elementary where in 2007 she was named teacher of the year by her colleagues. She holds two degrees from Boise State, an Interdisciplinary Degree in Psychology, Linguistics and Communication and an Education degree with a reading endorsement. She will be paying off her student loan for the rest of her life. The change to Anser and Expeditionary Learning has been both challenging and gratifying and appeals to her interest in lifelong learning for herself and her students. Previously to teaching Belinda was a professional musician, making literally hundreds of dollars a year. She integrates music into the Middle Childhood Expeditions as well as sharing music with her crew for the joy it brings. She enjoys swimming, sleeping, nature and Andy.
Michelle Dunstan
Middle Childhood Crew Leader
Michelle has been connected to ANSER Charter School since 2005 by student teaching in the ANSER Jr. High, then serving as the Community Based Curriculum Director for two years. At that time, she went on an adventure with her family to the southwest and taught 4thand 5thgrade children from the Ute and Navajo Reservation. Fall 2010 brought her back to ANSER to teach on the Middle Childhood team. She has a B.A. from Boise State University with a full reading endorsement and plans on getting her masters in literacy. She has a passion for reading and inspiring readers! Michelle enjoys her family, reading, having coffee with friends and riding her bike in Boise.
Upper Childhood Crew
Dolly Higgins
Upper Childhood Teacher
After several years of teaching arts-based electives and CBC’s at Anser, Dolly Higgins joined the Upper Childhood teaching team in 2009. She feels like she won the golden ticket! In addition to a decade of educational experiences, Dolly brings a background in counseling and research psychology to our school. She earned her BA from Harvard University, but feels she’s learned the most from the loves of her life—her husband Brian and her four children. When she’s not busy at Anser, Dolly enjoys traveling, creating art and needlework, practicing t’ai chi, and getting dirty at the Boise Urban Garden School.
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Giselle Isbell
Upper Childhood Teacher/Instructional Guide
Giselle Isbell joined ANSER in the fall of 2000 as the Upper Childhood teacher. She is also the part-time Instructional Guide. She has a B.A. from Tulane University and a Master in Public Administration from Boise State University. She has previous teaching experience in New Orleans and at St. Mary's School in Boise. She enjoys reading, skiing, cooking, gardening, spending time with her husband, and laughing with her two boys.
Nicole Pape
Upper Childhood Teacher Nicole Pape joined ANSER as an Upper Childhood teacher in the fall of 2008. She shares a classroom with Giselle Isbell and also continues teach at Boise State University as an adjunct instructor in the Education Department where she has taught since 2000. Before that, she taught elementary and high school for 6 years. She earned a B.A. both in English and in Elementary Education, and an M.A. in Education/Reading from Boise State University. During her leisure time Nicole enjoys running in the foothills, reading, drinking coffee, eating chocolate and spending time with her husband and two daughters, Emily and Laura.
Brianna Gask-Wilson
Upper Childhood Crew Leader
Brianna Gask-Wilson started with ANSER at the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year as an Upper Childhood Crew Leader. Brianna graduated Cum Laude in December of 2003 from Central Michigan University where she obtained her Elementary Education degree with a major in General Science and minor in History. Prior to beginning her teaching career, Brianna spent summers during college working for Michigan State Parks, the Department of Ecology in Washington State and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Outside of work, Brianna enjoys hiking, hunting for new and unusual wildflowers, biking, winter sports, and spending time with her husband, Jeremy.
Junior High Crew
Joy Broughton
Junior High Science Teacher
Joy was thrilled to join Anser in 2009, coming from another Expeditionary Learning school in Washington where she also taught 7thand 8thgrade Science. Her previous teaching experience includes the 3rdthrough 5thgrades in schools in Washington and Oregon. Joy received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State, and her Master in Teaching from Seattle University. She was born in raised in Juneau, Alaska and moved to Boise to be close to her family after they all relocated here. Joy and her husband, Jon, strive to spend as much time as possible outside and enjoy hiking and exploring the foothills and mountains with their dog, Millie, and their two horses, Quigley and Daisy.
Kelly McLeod
Junior High Math Teacher
Kelly joined the teaching team at ANSER in 2004, after having been a parent from the first years. Previously, Kelly worked for the Discovery Center of Idaho, running a variety of educational programs. Kelly graduated with honors from the College of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Biology; she also has her Masters in Educational Technology from Boise State. She is the proud mom of three ANSER graduates: Connor, Ethan and Lauren. She and her husband Mike love to be outdoors with their kids, where they pursue skiing, camping, hiking, fishing and white-water rafting. She feels so very fortunate to be part of ANSER and admires the passion and excellence her colleagues bring to their profession.
Jess Westhoff
Junior High Humanities Teacher
Jess became a member of the Anser crew in 2009 after teaching for several years at the high school level. She feels blessed to be a part of ANSER’s vibrant learning community and particularly enjoys learning with her junior high students. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from the University of Idaho, Jess volunteered for a year with AmeriCorps. She discovered her passion for teaching during her time working with teen moms at the Booth Family Care Center. Jess enrolled in the Stanford University Teacher Education Program and earned a Master of Arts in Education and teaching certificate. Even though graduate school is fading further into the past, she loves reading about education theory and taking as many classes as she can. Her favorite pastime, though, is hanging out with her wonderful husband, Curt.
Diane Williams
Junior High Humanities Teacher
Diane is overjoyed to be starting her fifth year of teaching at ANSER in the Jr. High program. She’s been married to the same wonderful man for twenty-eight years. This year sees her daughter Ashleigh working in Seattle, and her son Jonathan finishing graduate school in Bordeaux, France. She continues to be challenged with sailing and trying to find “balance” in her life.
Exceptional Child Services
Sherrie Armstrong
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Sherrie Armstrong is happy to be the occupational therapist assigned to Anser Charter School. She has a Bachelors degree in special education and a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy. Sherrie taught special education for 8 years and has worked as an Occupational Therapist for 7 years. Sherrie was born and raised in Oklahoma, but absolutely loves Idaho and wouldn't want to live anywhere else! Sherrie has a miniature schnauzer that she adores. She loves to travel to the Oregon coast and, in her spare time, she enjoys working on stained glass art. Sherrie is looking forward to a wonderful school year with the students, staff and families at Anser!
Julie Blaugher
Special Education Assistant
Two of Julie’s three children have graduated from ANSER Junior High and are enjoying Boise High and the University of Puget Sound. Her son is an ANSER Junior High 8th grader. Julie completed her B.A. degree in Economics from St. Cloud State University (Minnesota) and her M.A. in Mass Communications from University of Denver. Julie’s passion for her children and her generosity as a volunteer has really made an impact on the ANSER community. With over fifteen years of volunteer experience in educational settings Julie has taught small math groups in elementary school, tutored adults in reading and writing, and assisted children in learning to read and improving their reading and math skills, as well as worked with English Language Learners (adult and children). Julie has completed her special education, elementary education and high school mathematics teaching certification.
Lisa Cates
Special Education Teacher
Proud mother of daughters Nicole & Kristen & son Challis & grandmother of Justin, Megan and Taylor. Blessed wife of Roger, a patient and supportive best friend. Moved westward from Pennsylvania to be a “YOTE” and graduated from the College of Idaho with a degree in political science and pre-law. Subsequently completed a Masters of Public Administration degree from Boise State University. Had a rewarding career in juvenile and adult corrections that spanned 20 years and included parole officer, administrative hearing officer, deputy warden and deputy administrator of prisons. Retired to have more time with family and return to a career that would enable her to return to working in a meaningful capacity directly with children. Recently received a second Bachelor’s degree at Boise State University as a K thru 12 Special Education generalist. Long term board member of the Ada County Human Rights Task Force with a passion for human rights and social justice action. Spent the 2006 and 2007 summers volunteering in a village in Costa Rica with the Bri Bri tribe. Also plans to travel with family in their Eurovan camper so they can see the world one small town at a time!
Becky Delana
Special Education Assistant
Becky’s daughter, Lauren, is a 2010 graduate of the College of Idaho. Her son, Austin, will be a junior at Timberline High School in the fall. Becky’s training and experience as a counselor with 13 years in the mental health field continues to prove invaluable when working with our students. Over the course of her ten years with ANSER her intuitiveness has frequently provided just the insight we needed to meet a child’s needs. Becky’s experience as a distance walker in many Boise area half-marathons is evident as she runs around the building! Becky Delana earned her B.S. degree in psychology from the University of Utah in 1978 and her M.S. in Clinical/Community psychology from California State University, Fullerton in 1985.
Maggie Martini
Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP)
As the communication specialist, Maggie is concerned with how speech (articulation, voice, fluency) and language-based learning problems may limit a child's academic and social success. Maggie collaborates with teachers and problem-solving teams about communication problems, tests individual students as needed, suggests classroom strategies & accommodations, provides direct therapy for students with significant communication problems, screens new students’ speech and hearing, and monitors hearing concerns. She is particularly interested in social communication and as time permits she supports students with milder, developmental articulation problems.
Maggie has been at ANSER for seven years and also works with preschoolers in the Boise School District. She earned her masters in speech-language pathology from Idaho State University in 1996, after earlier degrees from U.C. Berkeley, UCLA, and a career in health care consulting. Maggie and her husband of 35+ years have two grown children.
Sidra Ranes
Bekkie Ritchie
Special Education Assistant
Bekkie Ritchie is the mother of two beautiful boys. She has graduated from Boise State with her degree in elementary education with an endorsement in early childhood special education. She has had experience in teaching first grade classrooms, highly gifted children and reading interventions, which she is currently doing here at Anser. She enjoys anything outdoors and spending time with her family
Debbie Smith
Special Education Teacher
Debbie joined the exceptional child services staff at ANSER in the fall of 2010. Prior to teaching at ANSER, Debbie worked for four years as a SW Regional Special Education Consultant with the Idaho State Department of Education, five years as a special education teacher in the Boise School District, and eleven years as a microbiologist with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. She graduated with an Ed.S. in School Psychology from the University of Idaho, a B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education from BSU, and a B.S. in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis. Her teaching experience includes elementary, junior high, and university students and she is a National Board Certified School Psychologist. Debbie enjoys traveling with her husband, Mark, playing tennis and golf, skiing, cooking, painting, and spending time with their dog, Rufus. .
Chris Pickford
Dana VanDerGeissen
Kari Kerfoot
Sidra Rane
Specialists
Jackie Gerstein
Technology
Jackie's byline is "I don't do teaching for my living. I do teaching as my doing . . . and technology has increased my passion for doing so." Jackie is a lifelong learner with a passion for all aspects of authentic education. She has an Ed.D., a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, and a graduate certificate in Gifted Education. Along with being the technology instructor at ANSER, she teaches online graduate courses for Boise State University and Argosy University. For more about Jackie, see her ePortfolio at http://jackiegerstein.weebly.com/
Alyssa Goade-Munch
Physical Education
Alyssa has taught P.E. at ANSER for six years. She loves watching her kids play sports, running, teaching aerobics, and being with kids. She is married and has three lovely children: Ollie, Edie, and Emme. Alyssa taught P.E. and health in Twin Falls, Idaho, Lolo, Montana, and in Boise. She teaches classes at the YMCA as well.
Martha Mendoza
Spanish
Martha has recently joined the Anser crew. She graduated in May 2010 from Boise State University with a BA in Elementary Bilingual Education and a minor in Spanish. Besides teaching Spanish at Anser, Martha also teaches Spanish 101 at BSU. She enjoys learning new things, photography, and loves to ride her bike.
Rachel Russell
Early Childhood Math Teacher
Nancy Tacke
Middle Childhood Math Teacher
Nancy earned her B.A. in Elementary Education, B.S. in Psychology, and M.A. in
Curriculum and Instruction from Boise State University. Over the course of her career, she has taught a wide range of students, from preschool to graduate levels. Since 2004 she has worked for the Center for Idaho History and Politics and the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs at Boise State. This past June, her new book The Idaho Adventure, was adopted by the State of Idaho for fourth grade social studies education. Nancy and her husband Chuck have four children. Son Nick is a sophomore at Whitman College; daughter Emma is a 2007 Anser graduate and now a senior at Bishop Kelly High School; daughter Lily is currently in UC; son Joe is in MC. Nancy has enjoyed being an Anser parent and volunteer for the past five years, and is happy to be joining the staff.
Administrative Staff
Sheri Groenlund
Office Manager
Sheri was ANSER parent for many years and joined the ANSER staff in 2005-2006. She previously worked as a pre-school teacher. She has four children. Sheri’s hobbies include scrapbooking and outdoor activities. Sheri is the queen of ANSER and keeps us all running smoothly.
Angela Inoye
Lunchroom Supervisor
Susan Mejia
CBC/Electives/SOS Assistant
Susan is an administrative assistant working with Community Based Curriculum and Junior High Electives. She received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration with an emphasis in Courts/Law at Boise State University. Outside of school she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, a son who is a sophomore at University of San Diego and a daughter who is a sophomore at Boise High. She also enjoys cooking, hiking, knitting, reading, gardening and playing with her dog, Winnie.
Teresa Schmalz
Fiscal Manager
Teresa joined the ANSER staff as the Fiscal Manager in 2003. She came to Boise from Seattle, and graduated from the University of Washington. She and her family, which includes husband Tom, & sons Joe & Daniel, enjoy outdoor activities and travel.
Liz Tanner
Playground/Accounting Assistant
Liz has been an ANSER parent since 2000 and has worked at the school since 2005. Liz and her husband Corey have 5 children, three of which attend ANSER. She enjoys reading, playing African drums, African Dancing, singing and being with her family.
Lisa Van Dercar
Development Director
Lisa VanDercar is ANSER’s Development Director, raising money through the Capital Campaign for ANSER. She has been an ANSER employee since 2004. Lisa has a degree in communication from BSU. The VanDercars are one of ANSER’s founding families, joining the school in 1999. Lisa has two ANSER graduates; Mallory and Aubree, and two current ANSER students; Linley and Mason.
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