Alturas International Academy

Kennedy Bandow was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She loves everything about Idaho especially the outdoors. Her and her family spend lots of time camping, fishing, and exploring the outdoors. She enjoys reading as well as spending time with her two dogs, Ivy and Willow. She is getting married this year to Jack and looks forward to this new chapter.

Kennedy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education at Idaho State University in 2023. While waiting to pursue her passion for education Kennedy has worked at an assisted living caring for elderly residents, which has taught her patience and compassion.

Kennedy has wanted to be a teacher since she was young. She used to spend her free time teaching her younger brothers as a young girl. Kennedy’s favorite part of teaching is being able to witness students personal growth and be a part of their learning journey.

While Kennedy is a new teacher, she is so excited to take this next step at Alturas! She loves all the practices Alturas uses to help students collaborate and communicate. She’s thrilled to be apart of such a amazing school.

Amanda Forbes serves as a 1-3 Teacher at Alturas International Academy. She brings over 5 years of experience in teaching. Before joining Alturas, she worked in California as a resident substitute teacher in various grades from PK-7th grade. Her professional interests include English Language Arts. She is passionate about education and growing independent, driven learners. Forbes holds a Master’s Degree of Education from California Baptist University. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the local scenery with her children.

Michelle Franck is excited to begin her teaching journey at Alturas as a 4th–5th grade teacher. A proud Idaho Falls native, she is honored to give back to the community that helped shape her. Michelle earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Idaho State University and built a strong professional foundation as a corporate trainer before spending 17 years as a business and estate planning paralegal.
While she found her previous career rewarding, Michelle felt a clear calling to education. She pursued her teaching certificate while working as a Title I Paraprofessional at Taylorview Middle School, where she discovered a true passion for supporting student growth and building meaningful connections in the classroom.
Michelle has been happily married for 28 years and is the proud mother of three—one son and two daughters. She enjoys reading and spending time outdoors with her family. At home, life is always lively with Buddy and Rosie, her doodles. Michelle brings warmth, enthusiasm, and dedication to her classroom, creating a supportive and engaging environment where every student is encouraged to learn, grow, and shine.

Anita Garcia serves as 4/5 teacher at Alturas International Academy. She brings 11 years of experience in education. Before joining Alturas, she taught second through sixth grade in Idaho Falls. She worked for District 91 as Title1 Intervention tutor for 5 years and served as a Grade Level Junior Lead. Her professional interests include student intervention. She is passionate about helping each student reach their full potential. Mrs. Garcia holds a Bachelor of Science through the University of Idaho and a teaching certification through American Board. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, camping, knitting, and reading.

Angie graduated from Idaho State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Exceptionality. She has been teaching Special Education since 2014. She specializes in behavior support and enjoys helping students overcome challenges and reach their goals.

Outside of school Angie keeps busy with her 2 children and dog. She loves the outdoors and spends her summers hiking, golfing, and exploring new destinations with her family.

Angie is excited to support student collaboration and learning at Alturas!

Denisha Gordon has lived most of her life in the East Idaho area with her parents and three sisters. She can usually be found smiling as she finds ways to learn something new, explore in the outdoors, serve, or be with her family! She loves to be creative in all that she does and finds ways to incorporate art into whatever she is doing!

Ever since a very young age, Denisha has had a passion for learning as well as teaching! She has found joy as she has spent time with children, both teaching them and learning from them. She has spent many years teaching a range of young children how to draw, paint, play the piano, and dance.

Denisha recently finished her degree in Elementary Education at Western Governor’s University and is excited to be in the classroom to share her passion for learning with all that enter the room!

She is especially excited about joining Alturas International Academy and being part of this great journey of helping each child succeed and excel in their learning!! She wants to create a classroom so that every student can become a lifelong learner! She can’t wait to meet her students and embark on a journey of learning together!

We are pleased to announce Emily Griffiths as a first through third-grade teacher at Alturas Academy in the 2026-2027 school year.
Emily Griffiths is excited to join Alturas Academy next school year as a first through third-grade teacher. She is a 2018 graduate from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Emily taught in public education for five years. She has experience teaching first, second, and third grade. She also taught at a preschool for one year. Emily is currently a reading paraprofessional.
Emily has been trained in a program called Conscious Discipline. This program has taught her how to help kids with their social and emotional learning. It has been a vital part of her classroom management.
Emily has been married to her husband Ryan for 14 years. They have four amazing kids. As a family, they enjoy camping, going on walks, playing at the park, riding bikes, and cooking over a campfire.
Some of Emily’s hobbies include cooking, baking, running, scrapbooking, biking, and reading children’s books to her kids.
Emily looks forward to working with students in small groups and teaching students at their academic level. She couldn’t be happier to be back in her own classroom and working with the team and students at Alturas!

We are pleased to announce Ryan Griffiths as a fourth through fifth-grade teacher at Alturas
Academy for the 2026-2027 school year.
Ryan is from Dayton, Idaho. He is a 2023 graduate from Utah State University with a Bachelor
of Science in Integrated Studies. He has experience as a math paraprofessional, during which
he learned about classroom management, expectations, and individualized instruction to help
struggling learners. He also has one year of experience as a substitute teacher.
Ryan has been married to his wife, Emily, for 14 years. They have four wonderful kids. As a
family, they enjoy camping, going on walks, playing at the park, riding bikes, and cooking over a
campfire.
Some of his hobbies include playing the guitar, riding dirt bikes, mountain biking, road biking,
and spending time with his wife and kids.
Ryan looks forward to the opportunity to teach students and prepare them for the future. He
comes from a family of teachers. Teaching is in his blood. He considers the opportunity to teach
at Alturas Academy a dream come true for him and his family.

Marc Hirsch serves as a second-year teacher at Alturas International Academy. He brings a long-standing passion for education and a background in philosophy, earning his bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University. Originally from Southern California, he has lived in Idaho Falls for the past 13 years. He enjoys helping students develop confidence through problem-solving and critical thinking. Hirsch also values physical fitness and has previously trained individuals of all ages, believing that both academic and physical challenges build resilience. Outside the classroom, he enjoys playing the piano, going to the gym, and having a nice meal outside during the summer.

Angie Howell serves as a 1/3 teacher at Alturas International Academy. She brings 7 years of experience in Elementary Education. Before joining Alturas, she worked in pediatrics medicine. Her professional interests include mathematics and problem solving. She is passionate about the Alturas model of small group instruction at instructional level. Ms. Howell holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Idaho State University. Outside of work, she enjoys baking and spending time with her family and pets.

Alicia Johnson serves as a 1-3 Teacher at Alturas International Academy. She brings 24 years of experience in early elementary teaching. Before joining Alturas, she worked as a preschool/prekindergarten and first grade teacher. Her professional interests include reading, writing, and social/emotional skill development . She is passionate about teaching to the needs of each student . Mrs. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science from Liberty University. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, concerts, and family time.

Mallory Kappmeyer serves as a 1st-3rd Grade Teacher at Alturas International Academy. They bring one year of teaching experience to the classroom. Before joining Alturas as a teacher, they worked with students at a Montessori school, at Alturas, and with the Nature Conservancy. Their professional interests include environmental science and conservation. They are passionate about helping students explore their interests and foster new experiences through STEM education. Kappmeyer holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Idaho. Outside of work, they enjoy fly fishing, snowboarding, and traveling with their family.

Sionaily was born in Venezuela, in her country she studied a Bachelor’s Degree in Integral Education, she has worked in schools since she was 16 years old, after she graduated from high school. Since she was a little girl she dreamed and played with being a teacher… So her profession is her greatest passion and she does it with great enthusiasm and love. She has been a teacher for 23 years in countries like Venezuela and Ecuador, where she lived for a couple of years, where she was baptized as Miss Nany because her students could not pronounce her real name.

She loves to travel, paint and read. She was a traditional dancer in Venezuela and is a loyal Disney fan! She is in love with Idaho and is excited to work in Alturas and apply the IB philosophy. She is learning English and loves to spread the culture of Latin American countries, she considers herself a Citizen of the World!

Korbie Lindsay is very excited to begin her journey as a Kindergarten teacher at Alturas! Although Korbie is a first-year teacher, she is passionate and overjoyed to begin this career!
Korbie completed her student teaching in Kindergarten and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Western Governors University. While she completed school, she worked in the healthcare field. During that time, she strengthened her communication skills and built a new understanding of having compassion.
Korbie was born and raised in Inkom, Idaho. She has always loved living in Idaho and enjoys what it has to offer. In her free time, she takes pleasure in spending time with her family, being outdoors, and cooking.
Korbie has always wanted to be a teacher and is grateful to begin her career in a field she has always felt drawn to. She is especially passionate about the early years of learning and the important role they play in a child’s development.
One of Korbie’s favorite parts of being in the classroom is seeing students build confidence, develop independence, and take pride in their accomplishments. She is looking forward to creating a positive, supportive classroom where students feel encouraged to grow, learn, and do their best each day. Korbie is thrilled to join the Alturas community and to begin this exciting new chapter!

Melissa Long is a dedicated and passionate educator beginning her role as a Kindergarten Teacher at Alturas International Academy. She is a recent graduate of Utah Tech University and has spent the past year working as a substitute teacher, where she discovered a true love for supporting young learners and helping them grow with confidence.
Melissa believes kindergarten is a special and important time for building curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. She is passionate about creating a structured yet welcoming classroom where students feel safe, valued, and excited to come to school each day. Her teaching style focuses on hands-on learning, interactive lessons, and encouraging both academic and social growth.
She is especially excited to join Alturas International Academy because of its strong sense of community and commitment to developing the whole child. Melissa looks forward to building meaningful relationships with her students and their families and creating a positive, supportive classroom environment where every child can thrive.
Outside of the classroom, Melissa enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and staying active. She is truly grateful to be part of the Alturas community and is excited to begin this journey in kindergarten.

We are thrilled to announce that Mr. Austin Ogden is joining our 1-3 team at Alturas Academy!
Mr. Ogden brings a unique global perspective to our school. While born in Utah, he grew up in Australia and began his teaching career in Queensland after graduating from the Queensland University of Technology in 2009. Since moving to Idaho in 2015, he has taught in both Idaho and Tasmania, Australia. He is now settled into his “forever home” here in Idaho with his wife and three children.
With over a decade of experience, Mr. Ogden is passionate about creating a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and encouraged. He is especially excited to meet students who share his natural curiosity about the world!
Get to know Mr. Ogden:
Hobbies: Drawing, playing family games, and exploring the outdoors.
Fun Fact: He is an avid collector of rocks and “interesting sticks.”
Favorite Quote: “The greatest gift you can give another is the purity of your attention.”
Mr. Ogden is looking forward to meeting his future pupils and guiding them on their learning journey. Welcome to Alturas, Mr. Ogden!

Kara Powers is a 1–3 Teacher at Alturas International Academy with seven years of experience at the school. Before entering education, she worked as a Historian for an archaeological consulting firm and as an editor for an academic publication. She is passionate about leadership, mentoring, and helping students reach their full potential both in and out of the classroom. Teaching has become one of her greatest joys. Mrs. Powers holds a Bachelor of Arts from Washington State University. Outside of school, she and her family enjoy camping, fishing, traveling, attending air shows, and spending time together at weekly game nights.

Jessica Reber is a 1st-3rd grade teacher here at Alturas. She has always had a deep passion
for education and fostering a love of learning in her students. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in
Art and finished her teaching certification through the ABCTE program.

Jessica has worked in classrooms since middle school through volunteer work in special
education classrooms. She has a certificate in Elementary education as well as Special
Education and is passionate about providing an equal education to every child. She has worked
in the Idaho school districts for 3 years as a Behavioral Intervention Specialist before joining us
here as a teacher. Mrs Reber is very excited to teach here at Alturas and help foster a learning
environment for creative and intuitive students.

Outside of school her hobbies include reading, listening to music, and playing with her daughter
every free moment.

Zane Richmond grew up in Dallas, Texas, and is the second oldest of six siblings. He has lived in Texas, Idaho, Utah, Minnesota, and Canada! On January 18, 2025, he married his wife Amber in Logan, Utah. He loves to spend his time outdoors, hiking, camping, or taking walks with his wife and their dog Maggie. He also loves film, card games, and spending time with family!

Zane graduated from BYU-Idaho in March 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He started working in education as a paraprofessional, where he discovered his love for working with and supporting kids! He believes learning should be fun and meaningful in a way that fosters confidence and creativity. A child’s relationship with learning shapes not only their future but also the lives of those around them. He is passionate about creating a classroom environment where students feel supported, inspired, and excited to grow.

Ms. Schwartz grew up in Moscow, Idaho, and has lived in Idaho Falls for the past 15 years. She is a proud mother of three children and loves spending her free time cheering them on at sports games and supporting their many activities.
She holds three bachelor’s degrees—in Chemistry, Early Childhood Education, and Elementary Education—which reflect her love of learning and dedication to teaching. For the past eight years, Ms. Schwartz has taught elementary school, nurturing curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning in her students. She also teaches driver’s education, helping young drivers gain the skills and responsibility they need to navigate the road safely. Her teaching style is patient, encouraging, and focused on helping students thrive both academically and personally.
Outside of school and family life, Ms. Schwartz enjoys relaxing on sunny beaches with a good book, traveling to new destinations, and embracing new experiences. Whether in the classroom, on the sidelines, or exploring the world, she brings energy, warmth, and dedication to everything she does.

Hailey Shirk serves as a 4th/5th grade teacher at Alturas International Academy. With a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Utah State University, and experience in PreK-6th grade, she is passionate about helping students discover their confidence in learning.

Hailey is excited to be a part of the team at Alturas International Academy. Education and learning has always been a passion of Hailey’s. Building strong relationships with students is at the center of her teaching philosophy, and she strives to create a classroom environment where students feel valued, supported, and motivated to do their best.

Outside of the classroom, Hailey enjoys baking, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends.

Mindy Shurtliff serves as a 4/5 teacher at Alturas International Academy. She brings 7 years of experience in Elementary Education. Before joining Alturas, she worked in Idaho Falls School District 91 as a 6th grade teacher. Her professional interests include engaging students in what they’re learning and increasing student confidence, especially in math. She is passionate about helping students see that learning is a lifelong process. Mrs. Shurtliff holds a master’s degree from Western Governors University. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, camping, and traveling.

Joanne Slifka is the K–5 Physical Education Teacher at Alturas International Academy with 26 years of experience in education. Her background includes roles in special education, elementary teaching, coaching multiple sports, and supporting students with sensory needs. She enjoys discovering new PE activities, watching sports, and following the Olympics. Joanne holds a B.S. in Health and Physical Education with minors in Biology and Special Education from the University of Montana Western, and an M.S. in Secondary Physical Education from the University of Cincinnati. She values family time, baking, and relaxing with her favorite TV shows.

Kellie Trejo has lived almost her entire life in Idaho Falls. She now has her own family that she is raising here with her husband. Mrs. Trejo has been married for 12 years and has 3 children. She has two boys and one girl: Kheno, Maddon, and Kaia. She also has 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 crested gecko, and 1 fish.

Mrs. Trejo loves reading, the ocean, and traveling with her family. Her favorite season is summer when she can go hiking, longboarding, and fishing.

Mrs. Trejo attended BYU-Hawaii and BYU-Idaho. She has a degree in Marriage and Family Studies. She loves working with people and building connections. She fell in love with being at the school as a paraprofessional and is so excited to be teaching. She loves the excitement and genuineness of children, every day is a new adventure! She loves watching her students grow and develop what makes each of them special.

Kyra Visaya, known by her students for years as Ms. V, was raised in Yakima Washington and went to Central Washington University in Ellensburg Washington before teaching at a Montessori school for 5 years. She has a Bachelors in Elementary education and an endorsement in English Language Learners and brings in 5 years of formal teaching experience, and over 7 years of experience with children.
She is excited for the new opportunity to join the Idaho Falls and Alturas community! Kyra looks forward to continuing using a student-led philosophy as an educator.
She is also looking forward to teaching in a combination class.
One special thing about her is she has taught in a 1-3 grade combo class before she became a kindergarten teacher! Kyra’s favorite subject in school has always been reading. She loves reading so much she even named her son after her favorite character from “The Anne of Green Gables.” Blythe!
Outside of work she enjoys reading, hiking, swimming, running, and playing with her son and 2 dogs. When not home you can catch her outside doing one of these activities or volunteering at an animal shelter.