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Teachers and Staff
To contact a teacher, use the contact link found with their biography.
Staff Administrator - Wendy OldenKamp
Secretary - Rhonda Wickland
Educational Assistant - Valerie Christensen
Educational Assistant - Laurie Hall
Educational Assistant - Nicole Siple
Educational Assistant - Kathy Rigby
Teachers Kindergarten and First Grade Looping Team
Kindergarten - Nancy Craker
First Grade - Tricia Huckins
Second Grade - Jan Ayotte
Third Grade - Lisa Lords
Fourth Grade - Janet Tefft
Fifth Grade - Dina McClellan
Sixth Grade Homeroom / Seventh Grade Science - Lucy Wafwa
Seventh Grade Homeroom / Sixth Grade Math - Alice Sturm
Music Education - Debra Ellis
PE/Special Education - Mark Wetherington
 Administrator - Wendy OldenKamp taught second and third grade in Meridian for six years, wrote curriculum for the district, was an IRI intervention teacher and was a Vice Principal for two years. She was the Building Administrator at Sunny Ridge Elementary for two years. Wendy's most recent adventure has been being the Chairman and Director of the Caldwell Chamber Youth Leadership program. Wendy received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Northwest Nazarene university and holds a K-12 principal certificate.
Contact Mrs. OldenKamp
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 Secretary - Rhonda Wickland: To let you know a little about myself I will begin by telling you where I have been and then end with what I hope the future might hold. For the past nine years I've been an administrative assistant for five departments at the City of Caldwell. I have done everything from entering payroll to doing accounts receivables to enrolling kids in swim lessons. I have learned valuable office practices and I am definitely a people person! Prior to my job with the City I was the high school secretary at Notus High School for four years. I love working with kids! I love their innocence when they are young and then watching them grow and mature is so rewarding.
I am married and have three daughters, one son, three son-in-laws (two of them are brothers!), two granddaughters and three grandsons! For the summer we have two "summer sons", one who is interning here from Oklahoma City and the other a family friend who graduated in June from Meridian High School and will be going to college in West Virginia in August. We've had a great summer! My son was glad to finally have a house full of boys instead of all girls!
I love to read, work in my yard, and play with my grandchildren. I taught 1-2 grade Sunday School for twenty years and the last four years I have taught a ladies class at my church.
As I said in the beginning, I hope my future holds the possibility of having a children's book published that I have written. Another one of my goals is to learn to play the piano and I am looking forward to being able to travel some with my husband on his job.
I am so excited for this coming school year and getting to know everyone!
Contact Mrs. Wickland
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 Educational Assistant - Valerie Christensen: I am so excited to be the Educational Assistant for the Intermediate grades! I will also have the opportunity of teaching Spanish and Vocal Ensemble Club. I feel so blessed to be able to work at such a wonderful school and with such exceptional people!
A little about myself: I grew up in Logan, Utah and moved to Caldwell three years ago after living a short time in Mesa, Arizona. I graduated from Ricks College (now BYU Idaho) and later from Utah State University with a degree in Family and Human Development with an emphasis in early childhood education. My minor in vocal performance helped me further develop my love of singing and assisted me in overcoming my fear of an audience! I am married to a wonderful husband, Valden, and we are the parents of Spencer, Annika, and Carrie -- all students at Vision!
My hobbies include singing, playing the piano, and playing fiddle/mandolin in our family's up-and-coming bluegrass band. I also enjoy reading, traveling, and learning about other cultures and languages.
Contact Mrs. Christensen
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Photo Coming Soon! Educational Assistant - Laurie Hall: As an educational assistant, I am excited about translating my love of learning into a great experience for children! I believe that any child can succeed given the attention and guidance unique to their needs. When it is relevant and practical, children are naturally excited about learning. It is an honor and a privilege to work with the exceptional teachers gathered at Vision, and I look forward to learning from them!
My background has been in both school administration and in the classroom. I have worked in both public and private schools with children of all ages, but have my greatest background in reading intervention among primary students and teaching computer skills. I have had the opportunity to observe many teaching styles in use, including Waldorf and Integrated Day. I also taught religious education for three years and spent three summers working in a day camp program. I have worked and lived in many parts of the country including Southern California, Lake Tahoe, Indiana and most recently New Hampshire.
I am pursuing my degree and credential in Elementary Education with a Social Studies emphasis. This, of course, means that I love history (and the History Channel!), politics, economics and sociology. This past spring, I participated in Project WET training and will be taking Project Learning Tree this fall.
I am married and have three boys, Nick and Noah who are in seventh grade and Jonah, a kindergartener here at Vision. We keep very busy with family and outdoor activities. When not spending time with the boys (or doing homework!) I LOVE to cook, read and listen to music. I also enjoy sewing and crafts; especially those around the holidays!
Contact Mrs. Hall
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 Educational Assistant - Nicole Siple Yo amo la escuela de Vision Charter! I am so excited to share this year with you. It is a great experience for me to help in the classrooms, spend lunch and recess with the kids and share the beauty of the Latin American language with them. I am passionate about learning and am thrilled to share it with the awesome students here.
I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education with a Sports Medicine emphasis from Brigham Young University in 1997. I am married to my best friend and high school sweetheart. Our two children both attend Vision Charter and love it as much as we do. Thank you to all who have made it so exceptional!
“A few of my favorite things” are languages, history, piano, hiking, pottery, archery and READING the classics cuddled up with my cat, Great Dane and little Italian Greyhound.
Contact Mrs. Siple
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Photo Coming Soon! Educational Assistant - Kathy Rigby: I am so excited to be a part of the awesome staff at Vision Charter School! My educational and professional background is actually in Marketing and Business. When my family moved to Caldwell six years ago, my girls were too young to be home alone, so I became an educational assistant. That’s when I discovered my passion for education! I have worked at Thomas Jefferson Charter School for the past three years, and Birch Elementary as well as East Canyon prior to that. I attended Weber State University in Ogden Utah, where I majored in Marketing and Business. I was also awarded the National Dean’s List Marketing scholarship twice.
I was born in Ogden, Utah to a military family. We moved all over the country while growing up. Because of the way we grew up, my siblings and I had many opportunities. For example, while living in Florida, my older brother and I were chosen to serve on the student space congress for the space shuttle Challenger. When you move around so much you learn to glean traditions from the various cultures to which you are exposed. Many of those adopted traditions and customs are incorporated in family today. I was also able to serve an LDS mission in Osaka Japan, where I learned to love the language, culture and people of that country. I met and married my husband Dru while attending WSU. I am blessed with five pretty awesome children. Nathan and his wife Carol who live in Chile. Alison who is attending the University of Utah. Gabbie and Mickie my twelve year old twin daughters, who are 7th graders at Vision.
Contact Mrs. Rigby
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KINDERGARTEN/FIRST GRADE LOOPING TEAM
We are both very excited to be part of the Vision Staff and are looking forward to a wonderful year with your children. We will be working as a team to provide your students with a safe environment and a hands-on learning experience.
We strongly believe:
*The social curriculum is as important as the academic curriculum. We will teach our students cooperation, responsibility, empathy and self-control.
* How children learn is as important as what they learn: process and content go hand in hand.
*Knowing the families of the children we teach and inviting their participation is essential.
*A strong Arts/Science curriculum will strengthen and enrich our students’ academic performance.
 Kindergarten - Nancy Craker: I have dreamed of being a teacher as far back as I can remember. That dream became a reality when I was able to attend college at the ripe old age of 39. I was privileged to attend NNC in Nampa with my daughter, Tricia Huckins. I graduated in 1991 and taught second grade at Centennial Elementary in Nampa for 8 years. I then looped up with my second graders to third grade. I have also taught fourth grade at Vallivue’s Central Canyon, and I taught kindergarten at Birch Elementary for five years. I love teaching! I am so excited about teaching the kindergarteners at Vision Charter School and working with the wonderful staff. When I’m not working in my classroom I like to read, spend time with my wonderful family, and travel.
Contact Mrs. Craker
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 First Grade - Tricia Huckins: I am a graduate of NNC with a B.A. in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. My strength as a teacher is reading instruction and I would like to earn my Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist. I have spent the last 14 years teaching 4th grade, 1st grade and Kindergarten at Homedale Elementary School. I am very excited to be teaching at Vision! I live in Nampa with my husband and family. Some of my hobbies include gardening, scrapbooking, kayaking, sewing and creating learning games for children.
Contact Mrs. Huckins
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 Second Grade - Jan Ayotte: Jan Ayotte is thrilled to be joining the staff at Vision Charter School. She is a very enthusiastic person who loves to see the excitement in her student’s eyes as they are engaged in a learning activity. She believes that all children deserve to be taught to their highest potential and to help them discover that learning is a life-long adventure.
Jan graduated from the College of Idaho (Albertsons) with a B.A in Elementary Education. She is working toward her endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education. She continues to take classes to keep up to date in all subject areas and because of her love of learning.
Before coming to Vision Charter School, Jan taught 2nd grade at Birch Elementary School for Vallivue School District. She has taught 1st – 4th grade during her 16 years of teaching. She believes that God has led her to the doors of Vision Charter.
Jan Ayotte has lived in the Middleton area for 29 years. She is married to Mark Ayotte and has two children. Her son, Tim, lives in Colorado with his wife and beautiful baby girl. Her daughter, Amy, lives in Marsing with her husband and two wonderful boys. She enjoys playing with her grandkids, reading, sewing, and traveling.
Contact Mrs. Ayotte
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 Third Grade- Lisa Lords: Lisa Lords is very excited to be joining the Vision staff as a 3rd grade teacher. She loves her career as an educator and is a lifelong learner. Her goal as a teacher is to have a classroom that invites children to grow and learn in a safe caring environment. She also strives to make learning fun and creative so students become lifelong learners. Lisa graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. Since graduating from college, she has continued to broaden her educational experiences and take classes to enrich her classroom and benefit students. Before coming to Vision Charter School, Lisa taught First and Third grades in other Idaho school districts, but feels she has “come home” and is truly blessed to be among the wonderful staff and families at Vision. Lisa has four children. Amy who is married and has two wonderful sons, Brian, 4 and Aiden, 5 months; Jay Tyler, 22, who works full-time and helps coach Freshman football at Centennial High School in Meridian; DeeAnna, 19, soon to be Sophomore at Utah State University majoring in Pre-Med Biology and Music Performance (flute); and Ashlie, 16, who will be a Sophomore at Centennial High School. When she is not spending time in her classroom, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, reading, listening to music, traveling and playing chess (which she just learned to play). She also enjoys concerts, plays, movies, and sporting events.
Contact Mrs. Lords
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 Fourth Grade - Janet Tefft: My name is Janet Tefft, and I have been in education for over twenty years. I began as an educational assistant when my two girls were small, and later started substituting when they got a little older. I home schooled my girls for four years, and when they were in college I finished my degree and then went on to get my multiple subject teaching credential.
I have taught students of all ages, from kindergarten through twelfth grade, due to the fact that I’ve been both an educational assistant and substitute teacher. I taught third grade in a private school in California, before moving to Idaho in December.
I am delighted to be a part of this new visionary school that desires to enrich students in every area of life!
Contact Mrs. Tefft
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 Fifth Grade - Dina McClellan: My name is Ms. McClellan and I am happy to be at Vision Charter School this year. I will be teaching 5th grade. The endless joy that fills my heart comes from my students when witnessing them grow in areas of reading, math, writing, science, arts, and learning to become responsible young persons with caring hearts!
I was born and lived in northeastern Oklahoma until I was 9 years old. I moved to San Diego, California and lived there until I graduated high school in 1993. I then returned to Oklahoma to attend college at Oklahoma Wesleyan University (formerly Bartlesville Wesleyan College.) I graduated with my Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1999. Upon my graduation, I accepted a teaching position and moved to Las Vegas, NV. I received my Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University in 2003.
I taught for eight years in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, NV where I taught first and fourth grades. I am looking forward to moving to Idaho and having the opportunity to experience the four seasons.
I have two dogs, Taco and Chile. They are so sweet! I like to travel, scrapbook, listen to music, and spend time with my family and friends.
Contact Mrs. McClellan
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 Sixth Grade Homeroom/Seventh Grade Science- Lucy Wafwa: Lucy Wafwa is very excited to be joining the Vision staff as a 6th and 7th grade teacher. She is passionate about education and is continuously seeking ways to grow as an educator. Her goal as a teacher is to have a classroom that invites children to be themselves, explore new interests, and take on appropriate challenges in a safe, supportive atmosphere. She also strives to make learning relevant and fun so students become lifelong learners.
Lucy graduated from Boise State University with a B.A. in Elementary Education and with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. Since graduating from college, she has continued to take numerous classes to enrich her knowledge to share with students. She says will earn her master’s degree just as soon as she can finally decide on a course of study because there are just too many classes she wants to take still.
Before coming to Vision Charter School, Lucy taught Kindergarten, Early Childhood Special Education, 5th grade, and high school Earth Science in various Idaho school districts and Las Vegas but feels that she finally has found her dream school at Vision.
Lucy is married to her best friend and husband, Jody, and together they are raising two girls – Caitlin, who will be a senior at Vallivue High School this coming year, and Jaiden, who will be a 1st grader at Vision. When she is not learning and working with children you will find her spending time with her family and friends, reading, scrapbooking, traveling, and taking pictures.
Contact Mrs. Wafwa
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 Seventh Grade Homeroom / Sixth Grade Math- Alice Sturm: Hi! My name is Alice Sturm and I’m going to be teaching seventh grade for Vision Charter School. I’m very excited to be tackling a new grade level and diving into the curriculum. The prospect of teaching and enabling students to become independent and lifelong learners is what prompted me to join the wonderful staff at Vision.
I am entering my ninth year of teaching. I spent the first two years of my career teaching fifth grade in Las Vegas, Nevada, before I moved back to Idaho. Upon my return, I taught fourth grade for five years for Fruitland Elementary. This past year, I taught fifth and sixth grade reading and math to special needs students. I have enjoyed each of my positions and look forward to making new memories with my seventh graders.
On a personal note: I grew up in Fruitland, Idaho, and upon my graduation from high school, I attended the University of Idaho where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. After five years of teaching, I chose to go back to school and work on a Master’s Degree. I earned my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy from Lesley University in 2005.
I enjoy many things in my life and enjoy doing them with the people who matter most to me. Some of those things include hunting, fishing, hiking, biking and many out of door activities. I take advantage of every hunting season to spend the time with my dad.
I have recently added a puppy to my happy family. Her name is Sasha and you’ll hear me talking about her quite frequently. I enjoy taking those funny pictures of her to share with friends and family who live afar.
Contact Mrs. Strum
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< Music Education - Debra Ellis: Hello there! My name is Debra Ellis, and I will be the music teacher for Vision Charter School. I received my B.A. in Music Education from Northwest Nazarene College in 1999. I taught in the Nampa School district for three years, one at Central Elementary, two at Snake River Elementary. I left the teaching field for a little while when my husband and I decided to start a family. We now have a four year old son, Robert, and twin eighteen month old girls, Elizabeth and Emily. In addition to being a mom at home for the last five years, I have been the music director for Music Theatre of Idaho, a local community theatre company. In doing so, I have been able to coach people of all ages (4 to mid sixties) in vocal technique, and I have had the joy of conducting many different pit orchestras for shows such as Les Miserables and CATS. I have also been a member of the Boise Philharmonic since 1997. I am really looking forward to getting back into the teaching profession and, especially, working at Vision Charter School. Everyone that I have met so far has impressed me greatly with drive, energy, and a desire to give these students the best education possible!
Contact Mrs. Ellis
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 PE/Sp.Education - Mark Wetherington: Hello, my name is Mark Wetherington, I am 28 years old and I will be teaching Physical Education and Special Education at Vision Charter School. Throughout the summer I have been working on The Middle Fork of the Salmon River as a river guide. I am extremely excited to be teaching at Vision Charter School for the upcoming school year. I completed my undergraduate degrees for teaching at the University of Idaho. While attending the University of Idaho, I first obtained a Bachelor's of Science degree in Physical Education with a teaching minor in History. Next, I decided that I would like to get a degree in Special Education. I attended U of I for an additional year and obtained my degree in Special Education. For Physical Education, I student taught at an elementary school for eight weeks and a High School for eight weeks. For Special Education, I student taught for 10 weeks at the secondary level. My student teaching experiences were great and I enjoyed teaching Special Education and Physical Education equally. Throughout the last year I was employed as a Learning Specialist with Lincoln County School District in Newport, Oregon. I enjoyed my time teaching in Oregon immensely, however, the urge to move back to Idaho and be closer to family was very strong and I decided to move so that I could be closer to family. I am excited for the upcoming school year to begin and I am eager to meet the students and the parents of Vision Charter School.
Contact Mr. Wetherington
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At the time of publication, we do not have the photos for some teachers. Keep checking back! return to top
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