Meet Our Staff

I have been teaching since 1994. I taught in Arizona for three years before moving to Coeur d'Alene. In May of 2000 I received my masters of education from the University of Idaho. My husband and I have 2 beautiful daughters. We love to spend time outside gardening, boating, and fishing. I also love to read and cook when I have time. I love teaching kindergarten because the kids are so enthusiastic and they love learning and coming to school.

Richard Warren

My wife, Marianne, and our 2 year old son Quinn, moved into this area from a two year stay in Colorado. I received my B.A. in Psychology at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I received my Post Bacc. Teaching Certification from Western Washington University in Bellingham. I completed my student teaching in 2nd grade at Basalt Elementary in Colorado and subsequently taught 3rd grade there.
I taught 3rd grade at Atlas in 2005, Kindergarten in 2006, and I'm looking forward to the next Kindergarten classes in September 2007.
I thoroughly enjoy teaching, and my calling in life is being fulfilled. I want to teach specifically in the K-2 range because of the need for positive male role models. I continue to make professional development a priority and constantly look for and enroll in classes that will help teach me more strategies to use in the classroom. I am a lifelong learner and I hope to instill that joy of learning in the children I teach.

Mrs. Amy B. Wise welcomes you to first grade at Atlas Elementary! I love teaching children and feel privileged to be part of the educational community. I graduated from the University of Idaho and have always taught in the Coeur d'Alene school district. I am also a wife and a mother of five children. Sometimes I sneak away from the family and work in Grandpa's wood shop. I like to refinish and restore wood antiques or build furniture out of oak. I have a large extended family and we love to get together and have a good time. I love living in North Idaho. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth!

I was born and raised in the Sandpoint, Idaho, area. After high school, I attended the University of Idaho where I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. After graduation, I taught sixth grade for one year in Post Falls, then moved back to Sandpoint, Idaho, and the Bonner County school district, where I taught first grade for three years and sixth grade for one year. Marriage, three children, and moving around the country kept me out of the classroom for a while. It has been great to be back in the classroom doing what I love for the past few years. In my spare time enjoy reading, gardening, swimming, snow skiing, and spending time with my family.

I graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA and continued on in education at the University of Idaho. I worked at Hayden Lake Elementary, teaching first and second grades, beginning in 1991 until it closed its doors in 2005. Before coming to the Coeur d’Alene school district, I worked at a private school teaching kindergarten and early childhood classes. I currently teach first grade at Atlas Elementary. I am fortunate to work with children as they grow leaps and bounds this first full year of school. In my spare time I wrestle three children of my own, garden, and am active in the 4-H youth program. My new hobby is bowling. I’d like to be proud to post my bowling average but the morals clause in my contract prohibits me from lying. Hopefully, I’ll improve with lots of practice!

Karen Griffin

My name is Karen Griffin and I teach 1st grade. I am so happy to be apart of such a great school and community! I love teaching first grade!! I believe that education is the key to success for young students. I aim to provide a stimulating learning environment that encourages students to gain confidence in order to realize their full potential. I love working with children and will continue to strive to be a positive influence in their lives.
I graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and then continued my education by going to Graduate School at San Diego State to earn my teaching credential. I love living in Northern Idaho! Some of my interests are snow skiing in the winter and hiking, camping, and being by the lake in the summer.

My name is Ilene Shirts. I teach first grade at Atlas Elementary. I love children and love the rewards and challenges that come with working with children each day. It is fun working with all the different personalities and abilities. It is so fun to see children become readers and see themselves as readers. Children enter first grade needing so much assistance and guidance and by the end of the year they become independent learners and readers. I learn something from each child each and every day. I love to run in my spare time and have completed 23 marathons. I also love spending time with my teenage daughters, yes I said, “I love spending time with them". My oldest daughter is a senior this year so this year continues to be an adventure. I love to ski and do anything that takes me into the outdoors. I also enjoy the variety of animals that reside at our residence, horses, sheep, chickens, dogs and cats. I grew up on a farm so am so blessed to be able to share that love of animals and hard work with my children as my parents did with me.

I am so proud to be a teacher at Atlas Elementary. This is my 14th year and I love teaching 2nd grade. My own children are attending college and pursuing degrees. I enjoy camping and helping my husband root for the Oakland Raiders as well as, digging in my garden and playing with my dog. I am very fortunate to live in such a beautiful area and work with my neighbors and friends.

I'm so happy to be a part of the Atlas staff. After many years as a stay at home mom, I went back to school and graduated from the University of Idaho in December, 1997. I worked as a resource aide and a substitute teacher before being hired to teach 2nd grade. I feel so blessed to have a job that I love. When I'm not at school, I enjoy reading, walking, golfing, sewing, and gardening. My husband and I have three children. Our son works for KHQ TV in Spokane and our twin daughters are attending college in Oregon.

Mindy Banks

My name is Mindy Banks and I am so excited to be part of the Atlas family. I received my teaching degree from Simpson College in northern California. This is my third year teaching and I absolutely love it. Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to teach and it is so amazing to be living my dream. In our spare time my husband and I enjoy playing volleyball, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Stella Gutz

I have been teaching since 1992, and I have always taught third grade. I love teaching 3rd grade because it is the first year of intermediate, and they are eager to learn. I graduated from the University of Idaho after being a stay-at-home mom. My three children Michelle, Lisa and Jason are now grown. I also have three grandsons. Roman, Ross, and River. They are great fun.! Besides spending time with my family, I love gardening, gourmet cooking, and traveling. My favorite books are either about history or biographies.

I have been teaching at Hayden Lake Elementary since 1992. I received my Bachelor's Degree from California State University, Long Beach in 1988 and have taught at every grade level. I have a wonderful husband and two great sons. I love reading, learning, children, and teaching!

After a twenty year career in the printing industry, I returned to college at age 35 to get my teaching degree. In September, 1996, I discovered the fountain of youth. That's when Kathy Kuntz hired me to teach second grade at Hayden Lake Elementary. The following year, I moved up to fourth grade, where I have taught for the last nine years at Hayden Lake, Skyway, and now at Atlas Elementary. I've been able to reacquaint myself with the wonder of discovery and the power of the imagination. I've learned to trust my inner child, who seems very intuitive about nine- and ten-year-olds. Every child that enters my classroom in the fall has the potential for greatness. Hopefully, every child who leaves in the spring recognizes that potential in their self.
Those with an ability work; those with a passion teach.

Mark Jerome

My name is Mark Jerome and I am so excited and honored to teach 4th grade here at Atlas Elementary. I was born and raised here in Coeur d’Alene graduating from CHS in 1982, North Idaho College in 1994, and earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Gonzaga University in 2004. Go Zags! My wife and I have been married for 20 years and have two sons, a senior and freshman, at Lakeland High School where I also coach basketball and baseball. We enjoy riding our Harley Davidson with friends and watching our boys compete in high school athletics. I love music, teaching, coaching and helping young people to become successful and reach their potential.

For me, teaching is not a job, but a joy! For the past 30 years I have been teaching in the state of Idaho and I have also taught at a junior college in the state of Washington. I have taught educational classes for the University of Idaho. I graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. and from the University of Idaho with a Master's Degree in Education. I have applied for and received grants that have provided many resources for my students. I have served on many school district and community committees and have had many interns in my classroom from the University of Idaho, Nazarene College, Boise State and College of Idaho. The parent, child, and teacher working together equals success for all!

Rebekah Comstock

I graduated from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Sociology. This is my third year here at Atlas Elementary. Before coming to Atlas, I worked in Moscow at Lena Whitmore Elementary and McDonald Elementary. I love working with children who continue to amaze me with their incredible abilities. In my free time I like to spend time with my husband mountain biking, skiing, camping, and hiking outdoors. We are busy with our beautiful son Jordan and awaiting the arrival of baby number 2!

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Music Education. I did my student teaching in Luxemburg-Casco,Wisconsin. I have taught in public and parochial schools in Wisconsin.
In Idaho,I taught at the CDA Tribal School in Desmet and have been with the CDA School District for eleven years. My interests include watching NFL football games, traveling, and activities that include music and singing. The best part of teaching is seeing the joy on children's faces when they actively involved in making music.

I am Anne Couser and have been teaching for 27 years, since I was 12.
I have my teaching degree from Whittier College and my masters at Cal State Fullerton. I have a bilingual/bicultural credential in Spanish language, so come talk to me. I have 2 years of fine arts at North Idaho College and have almost taken every class.
I started at Hayden Lake when I first moved to CDA. I even have some children of my former students. I LOVE teaching ART. I teach 4 days here at Atlas and have Wednesdays off. I own a property management business which I work at in my home and I also co-own a pottery studio called THROWN at 11th and Sherman downtown CDA.

My husband Carl, teaches at Lakes Middle School. Haley is a Montana State graphic design graduate and enjoying this year in Schweitzer snowboarding and doing freelance graphic design. Noah is 22, married to Megan and both just finished student teaching in Kalispell , Montana. Little sis Lindley is a freshman at Flathead Community College in Kalispell and lives with her bro and his wife.

In my free time..........I hang with the family, camping, traveling and I love to kick box! I paint, weld, do ceramics, enjoy pen and ink and almost any medium.

By the end of a year with me, the students should know about at least 9 different artists and identify their styles, have more self confidence in their own drawing be more creative and free with their work.

Joann Harvey

I have been the Librarian at Hayden Lake and now Atlas Elementary for over 25 years. I love working with all the children and all the books. Watching these children grow and become excited about reading and enjoying the library, brings me great joy. I have five wonderful children of my own and nine very special grandchildren. During the summer I love to read, garden, sew ,draw, do crafts and play with my 3 dogs. I hope to encourage your children to acquire the love of reading, which will follow them a lifetime.

I'm Kathy DeLong, and teaching is an integral part of my heritage. My mother, both of my grandmothers, and even my great grandmother were teachers. Now it appears that my daughter intends to become a teacher also. I love teaching at Atlas Elementary because I get to be part of an incredibly dedicated staff directed by great leadership. I am new to the Title I position this year, and I am enjoying the opportunity to "specialize" very much. I am fortunate to have a tremendous support staff of people who love kids and reading.

I have been with the school, first Hayden Elementary, and now Atlas for the past 16 years. I started as a playground duty, then teachers aide and for the last 13 years in Title 1. I have two sons. Joe is 25 and will graduate this fall from Eastern with a teaching degree in History. Tom is 23 and attending U of I and will graduate in another year in Finance. I enjoy working with children and plan to for a while longer.

Kimberly Johnson

Serena Montreuil

I am Serena Montreuil and I am very happy to be part of Atlas Elementary. This is my fourth year teaching and I was part of Hayden Lake Elementary before it moved to Atlas. I am a native to Coeur d' Alene and have always wanted to live and work in this area. I am teaching special education at Atlas Elementary and love every minute of it! At home I have three pets, a dog named Jack, a cat named Abby, and a bird named Daisy. When not at school, enjoy horseback riding, snowboarding, swimming, quilting, and working on stained glass.

Hello, I’m the school psychologist at Atlas Elementary. Some of you may remember me as Linda Powell. I changed back to my birth name recently. I have lived and worked in Coeur d'Alene and Hayden since 1990 when I became a school psychologist for the District. Before that, I was a special education teacher with an emphasis is learning disabilities and a speech therapist. I have 2 grown sons, and my hobbies include reading, writing, skiing, horseback riding and traveling.

Carrie Bell

This is my eighth year working in the school district--5 years in Title 1, and 3 years in Resource. I also teach piano lessons after school. I love kids and have enjoyed working with them. My husband and I have been married for 35 years and we have seven children and 5 grandchildren. I graduated from Utah State University with a bachelors in Social Work and double minor in Psychology, and Marriage and Family Relations. I love to read, play the piano, and sew.

I am the kitchen manager here at Atlas. I have been with the district for 11 years and really enjoy my job. I especially love spoiling everyone with special goodies. My husband, John, and I live out in the country and I spend most of my spare time outside in the fresh air.

Sherri Lovick

Hello, I’m Sherri Lovick, the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) at Atlas Elementary. I attended NIC and earned degrees in Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education. Following NIC, I attended EWU where I received a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders / Speech Language Pathology. Being a school SLP is very rewarding! I love helping children improve their ability to communicate effectively with others. Children receiving speech services work on developing age-appropriate speech sounds so that their wants, needs, and ideas may be made known. Children receiving language services work on improving their expressive and receptive skills such as: forming language, understanding language, and using it appropriately. It is an honor to serve the students, families, and staff at Atlas. Please feel free to stop by the speech room if you have any concerns regarding your child’s speech or language needs. Outside of school, I love writing, working in my garden, and spending time with family and friends.

Hello, my name is Robin Broesch and I am the office manager at Atlas Elementary. I have 3 children, Ronnie who is 17 and a senior, Tobin who is 15 and a sophomore and Joh who is 12 and in the 7th grade. I married my best friend from high school Tim and we have been married for 18 years. As a family we love to go hunting, camping, 4-wheeling and we love to play and watch baseball. I also love to quilt, paint, scrapbook and do just about any kind of crafting.
I started working with the Coeur d’Alene School District about 11 years ago. I have worked on the playground, crossing guard, lunchroom and in the office. I have been an office manager for Hayden/Atlas Elementary for the past 6 years. I love my job at Atlas Elementary and I enjoy the people I work with.

My name is Bill Rutherford and this is my second year as an elementary school counselor. I recently was the counselor at Project CDA—the at-risk high school for the Coeur d’Alene School District and am excited to have my dream job here at Atlas. I am a Certified School Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor and had a private practice for three years here in Coeur d’Alene. I teach Psychology at North Idaho College and am a private behavioral and eating disorder consultant. Atlas is a great school with brilliantly wonderful children and a motivated and dedicated staff. It is my pleasure to be part of the educational team!

I began volunteering 10 or 11 years ago and now they pay me to be here. My kids are off to High School and I truly enjoy working with the students here at Atlas Elementary.

Hello. My name is Lonnie Larabee. I am the Head Custodian at Atlas Elementary. I love my job. I am very fortunate because I am able to interact with the students on a daily basis. I have worked with kids for many years in many different capacities. It's what I enjoy the most.

I live in Rathdrum with my wife, Gwynne, and our three children that are at home. We have seven children and five grandchildren, one of whom attends Atlas. Much of our time involves our family but I enjoy "hiding out" in my shop tinkering and making projects with my woodworking. I look forward to being at Atlas Elementary for many years to come.

I have worked for the district and with most of the teachers, as an evening custodian, first at Hayden Lake and now at Atlas, for 7 1/2 years! The students' health and safety are first and foremost in my mind. Keeping our building clean and safe, to the best of my ability, is the focus of my job.

God blessed us with one child, a daughter, 25, who just gave us our first grandbaby! My family and friends are very important to me.

I enjoy gardening, fishing and doing counted cross stitch. I love to spend time at the Oregon Coast and hunting agates! Camping in our new trailer is a luxury I enjoy too! I've done my share of tent camping and occasionally will do it again, but not in bear country or nasty weather!