Bonners Ferry grads return as teachers
When Tracy Iverson graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1966, her plan was to get out of Bonners Ferry.
A little more than 10 years later, Iverson returned to teach English at Bonners Ferry High School. Today, she is among 21 alumni who teach in Boundary County School District.
It's something that pleases Superintendent Dr. Don Bartling.
“I think it's wonderful,” Bartling said. “They know what the county is about and what the community is about. I think they tend to stay if they come back to Bonners Ferry.”
School officials don't give preference to local graduates when there are openings.
“We want the most qualified,” Bartling said. “But if we have two candidates equally qualified, we would possibly pick one from the area. We know they enjoy this area. That's important that they like where they live.”
As for Iverson, she left Bonners Ferry to attend University of Idaho in Moscow. After taking time off and working in Spokane, Wash., she graduated with a bachelor's in education in 1975 and returned to Bonners Ferry.
Iverson started teaching at the high school in 1977 and has remained except for the six years she took off to stay at home while raising her children.
“I was like most small town kids, who think there's more out there - some place more exciting where things happen,” Iverson said. “But once you have a family . . . this is a wonderful place to live. It didn't take me long (to come back). I've never regretted it. I think Bonners Ferry is the most wonderful place in the world. It's got beautiful scenery and wonderful people.”
Julie Dillin, who teaches fourth grade at Mt. Hall Elementary School, graduated from Bonners Ferry in 1976. Dillin attended North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene and earned a bachelor's degree in science from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston.
She spent five years teaching elementary school in St. Maries before returning to Bonners Ferry to teach.
“I always wanted to stay in the area, not necessarily Bonners Ferry, but North Idaho or Western Montana,” Dillin said. “I love the area. I love the mountains and beauty. Most of my family is here, and I like being by my family.”
Evergreen Elementary School second- and third-grade teacher Paula Schulte had every intention of returning to Bonners Ferry.
After graduating from Bonners Ferry High School in 1992, she got a degree in elementary education from Lewis-Clark State College in 1996. A little over a year later, Schulte got a job teaching at Boundary County Middle School before transferring to Evergreen.
“All of my family was here and I knew I wanted to have a family,” Schulte said. “This is a good place to raise kids. It's still small town, and there's so much nature around.”
She did what she wanted to do.
Schulte married and is the mother of Paisley, 5, and Porter, 3. Paisley will begin kindergarten next fall at Evergreen.
“I can't wait because I can see her every day and I know she'll be getting a good education at Evergreen.”
Other alumni who have returned to teach at Bonners Ferry High School are Craig Anderson and Clint Arthur, both English; Jan Cartwright Bayer and LaGina Maggi Brown, both social studies; Mike Cowley, math; Leonard Eby, professional/technical; Adam Hiatt, English/Social Studies. Janis Fagenstrom Tucker, health and physical education; and Judy Plum Wages, science.
Alumni at Boundary County Middle School are Jennifer Foust Ansley, language arts/reading; Kelly Meeker Hinthorn, language arts; Travis Hinthorn, health/physical education; and Kim Norwood, counseling.
The only alumnus at Riverside Alternative High School is Vicki Myers Downing, who teaches social studies/math.
At Valley View Elementary School are alumni Matt Dinning and Julie Day Johnson, both fifth-grade teachers; and at Naples Elementary School are Steve Alverez, fourth grade, and Laureen Kramer Doolin, third grade.