Alturas Academy North

Maria Sanjuana Carrillo, a professional educator, graduated from WGU with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. As an Idaho-licensed Elementary Educator, she is thrilled to join Alturas Elementary as a Spanish Teacher. Passionate about teaching, Maria is eager to inspire her students in Spanish language learning. She is dedicated to nurturing student success and fostering a supportive, positive learning atmosphere. Outside of the classroom, Maria enjoys camping, hiking, and gardening with her husband of 20 years and their two children.

Elisabeth Bernal-Price serves as a 1–3 grade teacher at Alturas Academy North. She brings five years of teaching experience, previously teaching Spanish for two years after a career as a professional opera singer. Her professional interests center on fostering a lifelong love of reading and writing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Miami University. Outside of work, she enjoys writing, reading, singing, and traveling.

Mrs. Dalling is thrilled to join the Alturas International Academy community and bring her passion for education and connection into the classroom. She is dedicated to creating a welcoming and inspiring environment where every student feels seen, supported, and motivated to grow.
Mrs. Dalling earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Western Governors University. Through her experiences, she has developed strong skills in organization, communication, and building meaningful relationships with students and families. She loves guiding children as they explore, ask questions, and develop confidence in their abilities.
Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Dalling treasures her family above all, they are her greatest source of joy and inspiration. She also enjoys cooking, tending her garden, and staying active through CrossFit, which helps her stay energized and focused.
Mrs. Dalling is especially excited to be part of a school that puts students at the center of learning, where they are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, consider diverse perspectives, and apply what they learn to real-world situations. She looks forward to collaborating with fellow educators, supporting her students’ growth, and contributing to a positive, dynamic, and inspiring school community.

Krystina is a creative and busy mom who loves photography, the outdoors and getting lost in a good book. She especially enjoys taking pictures of her kids and capturing the fun, chaotic, and memorable moments that come with family life and youth sports.
Most of her free time revolves around her kids and their activities. Krystina is a dedicated sports mom who is always on the go, taking her kids to hockey, gymnastics, instrument lessons, and rodeos. Whether she’s cheering from the stands or snapping photos to remember the moment, she loves being part of the journey and supporting the things her kids are passionate about.
Krystina has spent over 10 years teaching, with most of that time in a Kindergarten Spanish Immersion classroom. She has always loved working with young learners and helping them build confidence while discovering the joy of learning and language.
After many years in the classroom, Krystina took a break from teaching to homeschool her children and spend more time supporting their learning and busy activity schedules. She is excited to join Alturas Academy and looks forward to returning to the classroom, connecting with students and families, and being part of a supportive school community.

Elaine Goodwin was born in Provo, Utah but was raised in Idaho Falls most of her life. She is married and has 2 children, a boy and a girl. She is an avid animal lover. She has guinea pigs, a bearded dragon, 2 dogs and a cat. Elaine loves to be outdoors spending time with her family. In the fall they spend their weekends in the mountains taking in every moment of Idaho beauty.

Elaine graduated with an A.A.S in Early Childhood Care and Education in May 2017. She graduated with her B.A in Early Child Education along with a Special education certificate in 2021.

Elaine began as a paraprofessional at Alturas in 2018 and moved into her own classroom fall 2020. She loves being part of the Alturas family and team.

Elaine has always dreamed of becoming a teacher, her favorite part of being a teacher is “ The look on her student’s faces when they have their “Ah-ha” moment when they’ve finally mastered a new skill in their learning”. Her passion and love for being a lifelong learner is what drives her in teaching her students. She wants every student in her classroom to develop a love for learning to help set them up for success.

With a profound dedication to youth well-being and community resilience, this education coordinator and mental health specialist has spent over seven years transforming crisis prevention across Idaho. Grounded in a strong academic foundation with a bachelor’s degree in psychology—specializing in child development and neuroscience—they seamlessly bridge the gap between complex behavioral research and compassionate, real-world intervention.
Throughout a distinguished seven-year tenure as an education coordinator at Bingham Memorial Hospital, they have become a trusted pillar in the region’s healthcare and educational landscapes. Their career is deeply rooted in crisis prevention and de-escalation for youth and young adults. Notably, they have spearheaded the creation of vital drug and alcohol abuse curricula, collaborating closely with local courts and law enforcement to ensure all programs meet rigorous state qualifications.
An impactful researcher and advocate, they have contributed to the Idaho Project Filter and prevention research for the CDC. Their published research on vaping, which studied 700 fourth and fifth graders across Southeast Idaho, highlights their proactive approach to community health. As a multi-county Love and Logic educator, certified youth mental health responder, and certified lifestyle coach, they routinely share their expertise as a court-appointed educator and speaker at hospitals, colleges, and schools.
Coming from a background in nuclear logistics, they chose a path defined by human connection. Today, they are incredibly excited to bring this wealth of experience, their warm, approachable style, and a deep passion for student success to their new role teaching at Alturas Academy North!

Camden McCrite graduated from Brigham Young University–Idaho with a degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. As a first-year teacher, she is excited to begin her career helping students discover the joy of learning, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of education. Growing up in a family of educators, she developed a deep appreciation for the meaningful impact teachers can have on students’ lives and futures.

Originally from Alabama, Mrs. McCrite brings a strong sense of care, encouragement, and community into her classroom. She believes every student has unique strengths and abilities and is passionate about helping children recognize their potential and continue pursuing it throughout their education. With her background in both early childhood and special education, she values creating an inclusive classroom where all students feel supported and empowered to succeed. She strives to foster a learning environment where students feel safe, valued, and excited to grow.

Mrs. McCrite is especially excited to be part of the Alturas community and looks forward to building strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, baking, and reading. She also loves spending time with family and friends and recently married her wonderful husband. Mrs. McCrite is grateful for the opportunity to begin her teaching career at Alturas and is excited to help her students learn, grow, and discover just how capable they truly are.

Mrs. Portner grew up in Colorado and moved to Idaho two years ago, where she has loved building a life and community. She recently graduated from Brigham Young University–Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and is excited to join the Alturas North team as a 1–3 teacher.
Mrs. Portner has always wanted to be a teacher because she loves supporting students as they discover their strengths and reach their full potential. She is passionate about creating a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn each day. She believes strong relationships are at the heart of learning and enjoys getting to know each student so she can meet their individual needs and help them grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Portner enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, and working on house projects. She also enjoys staying active and finding new ways to be creative in her everyday life.
She is excited to begin this new adventure at
Alturas North and looks forward to learning and growing alongside her students this year.

Sophia is a passionate and dedicated kindergarten teacher who brings warmth, patience, and joy into her classroom each day. As the youngest of twelve siblings, with over forty nieces and nephews, she has been surrounded by children her entire life. Growing up in such a large, lively family gave her countless opportunities to nurture, guide, and care for little ones long before she began her professional career in education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies, where she developed a strong foundation in child development, family relationships, and emotional well-being. She spent one year teaching preschool, building her skills in early childhood education, and has now been teaching kindergarten for five years. Her classroom is a place where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and every child feels valued and supported. Last year, Sophia experienced the joy of welcoming her miracle baby, an experience that deepened her empathy and love for children even more. Becoming a mother has further strengthened her passion for helping young learners grow academically, socially, and emotionally. She has a cheerful personality and loves the simple things that bring happiness—pineapples, fresh flowers, and a cold Dr Pepper are just a few of her favorites. Above all, Sophia is truly excited about teaching kindergarten and feels grateful every day to play a small but meaningful role in shaping young hearts and minds.

Kylie Sharp is a dedicated educator and language specialist with a passion for creating inclusive, engaging, and student-centered learning environments. She holds a degree in Spanish Education, along with a minor in TESOL and a certificate in Educational Foundations, equipping her with the skills to support both native English speakers and multilingual learners. Kylie has experience teaching Spanish at the secondary level, where she focuses on building confidence through interactive and meaningful communication. She has also worked with adult English learners in community-based programs, strengthening her ability to adapt instruction and build strong, supportive relationships.
Outside of her professional life, Kylie enjoys spending time with her family, trying new recipes, and finding creative ways to bring learning to life. She has a strong appreciation for language, culture, and connection, which influences both her teaching and her personal interests.
Kylie is especially excited about the opportunity to join Alturas Academy North because of its commitment to personalized learning and whole-child development. She values a school environment that prioritizes relationships, flexibility, and meeting students where they are. Kylie is eager to contribute her passion, creativity, and dedication to a team that shares her belief that every student deserves to feel seen, supported, and inspired to succeed.

Ryan St Pierre serves as the Special Education Teacher at Alturas Academy North. He brings five years of experience in education, having worked with elementary, middle, and high school students in California and Idaho. Mr. St. Pierre is passionate about working with people and is dedicated to supporting students as they grow in both their strengths and areas of need.

In addition to his work in the classroom, Mr. St. Pierre has served as an assistant coach for high school cross country and track, and he brings a coach’s mindset to his work with students every day. He earned his Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Special Education from Biola University.

Outside of work, Mr. St. Pierre enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two sons, going for a run, getting to know somebody new, or joining a pickup soccer game.

Kylie Stone serves as a 1-3 grade teacher at Alturas Academy North. She brings 2 years of experience in a special education preschool. Before joining Alturas, she worked as an extended resource room paraprofessional. Her professional interests include reading and promoting positive social-emotional skills. She is passionate about small group instruction to meet the individual needs of each student. Mrs. Stone holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Special Education along with an extension on her degree to teach through 6th grade. Mrs. Stone received her degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Outside of work, she enjoys swimming, hiking, biking, and crafting.

Deidre Terry serves as a 1-3 Teacher at Alturas Academy North. While her background is mainly in business, she decided it was time to pursue her passion to make a difference in children’s lives as a school teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from WGU. She enjoys learning herself and originally started her degree in biology, but also enjoys math and history! She is thrilled to join a school that values small group instruction, encourages students to take charge of their own learning, and empowers student confidence and growth.

Deidre recently moved to Idaho from Utah, where she grew up, to get married and start a new chapter of life. She has 4 children and loves exploring & hiking Idaho with her hubby and kids. She enjoys outdoor activities like paddleboarding & pickleball, gardening, and gets creative using her pottery wheel.

Natalie Wheeler grew up in Idaho and has been in Eastern Idaho for the majority of her life. She is excited to be part of the Alturas Academy North team, and is ready to help the school grow and help its culture be one of support and productive learning. She graduated from Brigham Young University Idaho with a major in Elementary Education in 2025. She is passionate about literacy and loves to read in her downtime. She wants each student she interacts with to feel supported and have a curiosity about reading. She is ready to grow and become the teacher that her students will need to succeed, and is excited to meet each one of them.

Rebekah Wray is an enthusiastic educator with a strong commitment to student growth and success. She earned her degree in Elementary Education from Southern Utah University, where she developed a solid foundation in instructional strategies and student-centered learning.
Rebekah began her career as a 4th grade teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she gained valuable experience fostering an engaging and supportive classroom environment. Throughout her teaching career, she has focused on helping students build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and achieve academic success. Her passion for education is rooted in her belief that every child has unique strengths and the ability to succeed when given the right support and encouragement.
She is especially excited to join Alturas Academy because of its dedication to helping students reach their full potential. Rebekah is eager to contribute to a learning environment that empowers students in the classroom so they can pursue their dreams beyond it. She values the opportunity to be part of a team that prioritizes student achievement, growth, and long-term success.
Outside of teaching, Rebekah enjoys crocheting, creating art, going on walks, cooking, and reading fantasy novels. These hobbies reflect her creativity, balance, and patience—qualities she brings into her classroom each day. She looks forward to building meaningful connections with her students and colleagues at Alturas Academy.