Being a part of such an innovative school as Garden City Community School is a very gratifying and exciting adventure! We truly believe children learn best through interactive, experiential processes. My experience includes 18 years as a visual arts teacher at Kuna Middle School, 4-H leader, youth summer-camp director for the University of Idaho Extension system, and facilitating various adult courses throughout the NW in the areas of art and leadership.

I grew up in Lewiston and received both my Bachelors of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture and my Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Idaho with my Arts Education K-12 Specialist Certification coming from Boise State. In addition to education, I have owned several businesses, including a purebred cattle ranch and a graphic design company. Sage (29) and Remington (26) are my two fantastic sons. They are successful business entrepreneurs in addition to being avid hunters and fishermen while continuing to run their purebred cattle ranch. A special honor was receiving the National Art Education Association’s state art teacher of the year in New York City.

I found that after three years as an administrator at GCCS, I truly missed teaching, so my job description now includes coordination of the community professional artists who work with the students during their Art Studio sessions – in addition to teaching many of the sessions myself. When I can find spare time, I love to paint, garden, travel, bicycle, hike, read, and explore as many new places and activities as possible. My favorite adventures to date are parapenting off the Southern Alps in New Zealand and zip lining at Tamarack!

As the GCCS director, I am an active member of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce and the Idaho Charter School Network. I enjoy participating in every educational opportunity possible - especially if it will continuously help improve our school and get the word out about what a fantastic place we are creating for children!

We welcome you to our incredible school and staff! Always know that I appreciate hearing from current families and others who are just curious about our unique school! Feel free to contact me anytime!

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Federal Lunch Program Supervisor
michele.roth@gardencityschool.org

It's a pleasure to be working at such an innovative school! I grew up in Phoenix, Oregon and attended Southern Oregon State College. I have a wonderful husband, two incredible sons and three very spoiled dogs. We are a very outdoors family and enjoy kayaking, skateboarding, camping, hunting, fishing and bowfishing.

I have been in education for more than twelve years. My educational background includes working for Kuna Middle School for six years as a para-professional, substitute teaching, registrar and bookkeeping, one and a half years as a Business Analyst for the ISIMS (Idaho Student Information System) project for the State of Idaho/Albertson’s foundation, three years working for Schoolmaster as a trainer for their student information system and three years with Garden City Community School.

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Angela Banning
Special Services Coordinator
angela.banning@gardencityschool.org

After a year away from education, I am looking forward to being back in school and working with children. I am a recent transplant to Idaho, the Boise area, and love it. The family and community focus the towns have makes it all the more inviting. My family consists of my husband, Kevin, and our two dogs, Ralph and SoHo.

My education consists of a BFA from West Texas State University;
chosen because I could take my horse and earn class credit. My summer
job working at a state hospital made me realize my calling of working
with people, especially children and young adults. Certifications I
hold are a bachelors in both Art and LD (Language and Learning Disabilities) - in addition to a Masters of Education in Counseling, Special Education Counseling, and Exceptional Child.

I look forward to getting to know and care for the students at GCCS just as I have for the students that I have worked with for the last twenty-three years.

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Pat Griffin
Special Services and Student Teacher
pat.griffin@gardencityschool.org

This is my second year working at The Garden City Community School. I have really enjoyed the positive and uplifting environment that both the staff and the students create here. I attended the University of Wyoming and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Communication with a Minor in Marketing.

While in college, I spent my summers working as a commercial whitewater rafting guide and am continuing to do so here in Idaho. I am also a certified Emergency Medical Technician and worked for an ambulance service here in Boise. My wife and I were married this past September. We spend our summers rafting, camping, and hiking and in the winter we like to snowboard and snowshoe.

I look forward to another great year and continuing to be a positive influence in our students' lives.

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Linda Selby
Paraprofessional/Certified Teacher
linda.selby@gardencityschool.org

Hi. I'm Linda Selby, mother of five children currently 23, 21, 17, 16, and 5. Kurt and Daniel have finished college and Kurt is married to Noemi who is a junior in college. Daniel is in his first year of medical school, Jonathan is in his first year of college, Andrew is a junior at Boise High School, and Kaitlyn is in kindergarten at GCCS. The kids, my husband Ken and I enjoy skiing/snowboarding, biking, camping, and just hanging out together.

In the 1980s, I taught elementary school students for five years and preschool children for two years. In the 1990s, I primarily parented my children and did community volunteering. For most of the current decade, I've taught preschool children, plus finished up my master's degree at BSU. Several years ago I started tutoring part-time at a local learning center and particularly enjoyed that part of helping kids learn, so am excited to join the staff at GCCS to assist in student learning.

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Shana Freedman
Kindergarten Aide/Special Services Student Teacher
shana.freedman@gardencityschool.org

My name is Shana Freedman. After graduating from Lehigh University, located in Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Art History, I spent the next 8 years working in advertising and marketing in New York, Boston, and then Boise. In addition to this experience, I have worked as a Psycho-Social Rehabilitation (PSR) therapist with children in the Treasure Valley over the past 6 months.

Finding my time as a PSR therapist extremely gratifying and heartwarming has prompted me to reconsider my career direction, and after much thought I decided to transition into the field of teaching. I began the process of acquiring my teaching certification in Elementary Education and Special Education this summer, and plan on completing this process by next summer. I’m very excited to be a teacher aide at the GCCS -- I cannot think of a better way to spend my hours while working towards this certification! From the moment I stepped through the doors of the Garden City Community School, I became excited and inspired and feel very lucky for this opportunity.

Outside of work, I can be found backpacking and camping in the summers, and skiing and snowboarding in the winters. As a transplant from the east coast about 3 years ago, I am endlessly amazed at the beauty that Idaho has to offer and seem to never get bored exploring the west.

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Jeanna Vickery
Secretary

Growing up in Southern California instilled in me a great love of the ocean and the environment which was reinforced in high school and college through environmental science, marine biology and scuba diving courses. Visiting the ocean thrills me, and I return every chance I get!

As a landlocked teenager in Texas, I discovered my creative gifts in theatre and art. I had every intention of becoming a theatre teacher, and I hope I can put my training in acting, design and scenic painting to good use at Garden City Community School as a parent volunteer.

I am the new school Secretary, but I am also a proud parent of a GCCS student. My husband and I were very impressed at the progress our child made in Mr. Ben’s class last year and are looking forward to supporting her as she faces the exciting challenges that await her in Miss Brenda’s class! My whole family is almost as happy about my new career as I am about having the wonderful members of the Garden City Community School as my extended family. I look forward to growing and learning along with you all!

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Michelle Rollins
Lunch Program Facilitator

**bio coming soon**

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Gaylen Curry
Bus Driver/Recess Safety Monitor

My name is Gaylen Curry. I have enjoyed being the bus driver for Garden City Community School for the past four years. I have enjoyed getting to know the students, and I am looking forward to adding Playground Safety Monitor to my list of daily duties.

I was raised in the Weiser, Idaho area. After graduation I moved to Ontario Oregon. Where I meet my first wife Jan and raised my two children. My daughter, Evirr, is now 29 years old and is living in Guam with her husband, Kirk, who is in the Navy. My first grandchild, Hayden, was born in March of 2010. My son, Tyson, is living and working in California. After suddenly losing my wife, Jan, of 29 years, I met and married my current wife, Cathy. We are now residing in Nampa, Idaho.

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Elizabeth Sackman
Kindergarten Teacher - Morning
elizabeth.sackman@gardencityschool.org

I am very excited to be teaching kindergarten at the Garden City Community School and look forward to meeting you and your children. We will have a lovely, spacious, and bright new classroom where your children will explore, investigate, and discover in a hands-on, rich, and stimulating learning environment. It will be fun for you to visit, volunteer, or just quietly observe your child in this warm, safe, respectful, and cooperative classroom.

My name is Elizabeth Sackman and I have been in early education for more than nine years. I was raised in Texas, graduated from Texas A&M University and fortunately found myself in Boise, twenty-four years ago. For the past three years, I was the lead teacher for both the early childhood and the pre-kindergarten classes at The Cooperative Preschool at St. Michael’s, a school also dedicated to the educational philosophy of self-directed learning.

During the years I was not teaching in the schools, I was raising and facilitating the growth of five children. The boys, now men, are 19 through 26 years old. The youngest brothers are in college and the older three have graduated and moved on their chosen paths. Although my husband and I are considered “empty-nesters,” our home is full of delightful chaos created by our three cats and two goofy dogs. In my sacred spare time, you can find me fishing, skiing, cycling, or being “walked” by my two large canines.

I look forward to meeting you and your child very soon. Ahead of us is a most wonderful year!

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Gina Munkers
1^st - 2^nd Multi-Age Group Teacher
gina.munkers@gardencityschool.org

What a thrill to be part of a great GCCS team. Since I am new to GCCS, I would like to share a little of my background. Elementary education is my passion. After graduation from Lewis Clark State College with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and minor in Reading, I taught first grade for three years at a private school in Lewiston, Idaho. Having Benjamin (10) and Andrew (8) changed my focus slightly and I opened and operated my own in-home daycare and preschool for five years so I could be with them every day. In 2006, we moved to Boise and I began teaching at Wesleyan Preschool - a nationally accredited program - as the Pre-Kindergarten teacher. After spending four amazing years at Wesleyan, the boys were back in school full time and I was ready to be in school full time, too. I jumped at the opportunity to teach at GCCS, where my sons are also students. We were so fortunate to have found a school that provides amazing opportunities for learning in an environment that mirrors my teaching philosophy.

GCCS integrates the arts into the curriculum in a creative and effective way that promotes child learning. The Adlerian Philosophy works to challenge children to seek out new ways to learn, question the world around them and find ways to be a contributing member of not only their family, but also the school and community. This is why GCCS is so amazing in the style of teaching and ways of engaging kids to learn. Each day opens a new door of opportunity for children to embark on the educational journey called life.

Outside of school, our family enjoys skiing at Bogus Basin, mountain biking the trails, golfing, traveling, etc. We love having the Treasure Valley as our “base-camp” and take advantage of the many recreational opportunities, culture, and fun there is to be had right here in our backyard.

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Marti Hinckley
1^st - 2^nd Multi-Age Group Teacher
marti.hinckley@gardencityschool.org

My name is Marti Hinckley and I am excited to be starting my third year in a 1-2 multi-age grouped class at GCCS. I am a proud single mother of four children: sons Decker, 17 and Dawson, 11 and twin girls that are 15, Holly and Haley. I graduated from Boise State University with a bachelors degree in education.

My past experience in the schools started as a PTO/Art Parent Coordinator in Meridian in 1998. When my family moved to Boise 10 years ago, I immediately was involved in implementing an Art Parent Program at Valley View Elementary. This led to serving as Vice President and President on the PTO. In 2003, I went to work part-time for Boise School District as a School Support Assistant where my duties included playground, lunchroom, and library work. Soon, I went full-time and worked in the preschools at Riverside and Garfield and in an extended resource room for two more years.

When I am not learning or teaching in school, I love to just be a mom. Part of being a mom for me is cooking. I am writing my own cookbook. I also love performing in musicals with my children. We have done Boise Music Week performances. Every Sunday, I am the chorister for the adult choir at my church. Needless to say, I love teaching the academics with art integration. This past summer I have added to my piano and guitar skills to help me be more flexible in teaching music skills to my students. We have a great year planned with lots of Art Integration and Hands-on Learning

Working at GCCS everyday makes me feel as though I have won the lottery in life. I love the charter, staff, board, parents, and students. Through all my experience, the greatest reward has always been to help children realize they can do more, never to give up, and reach for the stars.

We can all reach for the stars if we have the desire - the first very important step to great success! I want all my students to look forward to every school day with the feeling “There’s No Place Like School.”

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Wren Nicks
3^rd - 4^th Multi-Age Group Teacher
wren.nicks@gardencityschool.org

http://teacherweb.com/ID/GCCS/Wren/

I am thrilled to be a part of GCCS because it is an inspiring community of creative and innovative learners- young and old. The students are caring, clever and full of curiosity. The staff pushes themselves continually to excellence through professional development. I am so inspired and delighted!

Over nine years experience in working with multi-age groupings, creating meaningful student portfolios, and integrating arts and sciences throughout learning have kept me marveled by all the students’ talents! I strive for a classroom that is happy, relevant and engaging for everyone. No two years have ever been the same, but they have all been amazing!

My childhood in Oregon was spent playing in mud puddles and sneaking cherry tomatoes from the garden. Despite loving the lush green forests and beautiful coastline, I took off for adventures around the U.S. as soon as I could. I have lived in many states from New Jersey all the way to Alaska. My B.A. in Child Psychology is from University of Oregon... Go Ducks! My graduate study and teacher certification were done at University of Alaska, Anchorage...Go Seawolves! However, living in Boise, I couldn’t help catching the Bronco Nation Fever... Go Broncos!

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my terrific husband, Josh, and children, Mary, Caleb and Araleigh. Our family loves camping, hiking, swimming, board games and we even sneak in some video games. In my free time, I like reading, jewelry making, wildlife photography, paper crafting, and photo journalism. My latest exercise craze is Zumba, and I have a secret dream of publishing children’s literature someday.

If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in. ~Rachel Carson

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Ben Miller
3^rd - 4^th Multi-Age Group Teacher
ben.miller@gardencityschool.org

A long long time ago, I was born to Bruce and Benita Miller in Bremerton, Washington then moved to Homedale, Idaho in third grade. I graduated from Homedale High School where I was an OK student and played football, wrestling and golf. After High School, I went to U of I to become a teacher. During my years at U of I, I participated in intramurals and was the vice president of my fraternity. I discovered my passion for teaching in high school while participating in a reading mentor program. In college, I volunteered for many programs but the one that was the most rewarding was Moscow Reading Mentors.

Teaching at GCCS has been challenging and rewarding at the same time. My teaching experience consists of student teaching in second and fourth grade, subbing throughout the Boise School District, and teaching a 3-4 multi-age-group class here at GCCS. If you ever hear the Beatles rocking down the hallway, hear a class singing, or just plain old goofy you’ll know that Mr. B. and his students must be having a great time.

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Ryan Porter
5^th - 6^th Multi-Age Group Teacher
ryan.porter@gardencityschool.org

I spent my childhood growing up in Portland, Oregon where I loved to play sports and spend as much time as possible outdoors with my two brothers. After graduating high school, I attended Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon where I graduated with an Associate of Arts degree. While on my way to visit university campuses in the western states, my father and I drove through Boise. Only after noticing a freeway sign directing us to the campus did we decide to check it out. I convinced my dad to drive around for the remainder of the day….we stayed the night. I knew that I found a place that I loved!

I graduated from Boise State University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. After I taught 5th grade for two years in Caldwell, my wife Vivianne was awarded a fellowship to University at Buffalo, New York to pursue a Master’s Degree in Arts Management.

While living in Buffalo, I had the opportunity to teach pre-school, helping me to further understand the physical, cognitive and social development of children. In addition to working the pre-school setting, I also found time to help run an after-school literacy development program, participate in summer camps and cook in an Irish restaurant.

Vivianne and I returned to Boise recently and are looking forward to spending time with our families and friends. We have a chocolate lab named Brew who keeps us on our toes and gives plenty of love. I am excited to begin the year in such a unique school like the Garden City Community School.

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Brenda Miller
7^th - 8^th Multi-Age Group Teacher
brenda.miller@gardencityschool.org

Greetings GCCS families and community members. My name is Brenda Miller, and I am thrilled to be starting my third year as a member of this incredible learning community.

Idaho has been my home for 31 adventure filled years. My husband Mike and I have raised two talented children here and explored every nook and cranny of its vast landscape, But my best memories include the special relationships I have built along the way. When I’m not contributing to my community, or spending time with family, I enjoy cooking, reading and many outdoor activities. Travel also plays an important role in my life and I love to hear other people’s adventure stories.

Teaching 7th and 8th grade is like a dream come true for me. Teens have so much potential and creative energy it’s hard not to be inspired by them. Together with my students I will establish a strong culture of exploration and academic rigor that reaches beyond the classroom doors into the world around us.

I believe that GCCS is a gift to the community of Garden City and deserves to be nurtured just like the children that walk through its doors. I’m looking forward to sharing my passion for service, public education and the arts with each member of this valuable community. Please come by and share your stories with me.

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Rebecca DeMeritt
Arts Project Consultant
rebecca.harris@gardencityschool.org

NOTE: Rebecca taught full-time at GCCS during our first three years and -in between family plans - we hope to have her join us much more often this year! Due to Rebecca’s exciting new life and plans this upcoming year, she will be assisting our arts program as an arts project consultant and art studio substitute.

I grew up in Boise then went to school at University of Oregon, graduating with a degree in English. Loving to get my hands into everything, I studied many subjects, mostly creative writing, visual arts, and performance arts. I moved to Maine to start an organic farm with Belgian draft horses. After living in Maine for nine years, I returned to Boise. I worked for two years at my daughters' school as Art Parent Coordinator and also started the After School Circus Theater Workshop with one of the teachers. I am a certified yoga instructor and have taught Iyengar yoga at the YMCA. I have always been interested in working within innovative educational environments with children and was thrilled to be hired at Garden City Community School.

I have two beautiful teenage daughters and a one year old boy after remarrying. Life is full. I am never bored. My philosophy is that when a child acts bored, let them sit with it. Don't rescue them. In no time, they'll rescue themselves. Their mind will wander into the realm of creativity. All of us want to express ourselves, our deepest desires, our grandest ideas. I try to reach out to my students and offer them ways in which they can find this authentic voice that is uniquely theirs. As an Arts Integration Coordinator, I feel that my job is to listen to the students and hear what they are trying to express and to introduce them to tools, materials, and people who might help them. I encourage them to share their ideas and inspire each other, stepping forward into the world with the confidence that they are an integral part of their larger communities.

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Administrative & Support

Teachers

Revised: 08/30/10