Our administration is strongly committed to the ongoing development of every child and supports continuous improvement to ensure our Coeur d'Alene Public Schools continue to promoting opportunities for innovation in learning and inspiring excellence in everyone. Our mission is to invest in each student to prepare, challenge and advance well-educated, resilient and future-ready citizens.

We are confident you will find our staff responsive to the needs of your children as we work together to prepare them for their careers and future.

DR. SHON HOCKER

Superintendent

Dr. Shon Hocker joined the District as Superintendent in July 2021. Previously he was Superintendent of Dickinson Public Schools since 2018. Prior to that he was Superintendent of the Big Horn School District in Cowley, Wyoming, from 2007 to 2018. In 2016 he was named Wyoming Superintendent of the Year. From 2004 to 2007 he was principal of Shelley High School in Shelley, Idaho. Dr. Hocker received his doctorate in educational leadership from Idaho State University in 2016; and his master’s degree from ISU in 1999. 

Phone: 208-664-8241  l   Email: shon.hocker@cdaschools.org

DR. MICHAEL NELSON

Deputy Superintendent

A graduate of Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Dr. Mike Nelson works with district educators to administer current and relevant assessments and regularly reports progress toward district and state goals. Idaho’s Milken National Educator from 2005, Mike is also responsible for our district’s assessment program and related professional development and works with our Technology and Special Education departments to continuously build student awareness and motivation. He holds six degrees from the University of Idaho in Spanish, broadcast journalism, curriculum, technology, administration and holds a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership.

Phone: 208-664-8241  l   Email: msnelson@cdaschools.org

PATTY MORRISON

Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education

Patty Morrison joined the District in July 2021. Previously, she was an administrator in the Lakeland School District for the last 10 years, becoming a principal in 2011, Director of Federal Programs since 2013 and recently the administrator of the Lakeland Online Academy for the 2020-21 school year.

“To me, elementary schools are a wonderful part of childhood where our kids learn about their community, the world around them, and also about themselves. I will help maintain the focus I have noticed that exists in Coeur d’Alene that all children must feel safe, that they belong, and we must empower them to believe they can learn.”

Mrs. Morrison attended the University of Idaho, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. A lifelong resident of North Idaho, she lives near Coeur d’Alene with her husband of 30 years. She enjoys reading, learning new things, traveling around the Pacific Northwest, and boating on Lake Coeur d’Alene with her family.

Phone: 208-664-8241  l   Email: patty.morrison@cdaschools.org

TRENT DERRICK

Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education

Trent has 26 years of secondary public education experience. He joins us from the Lakeland School District where he served as the principal of Lakeland High School.

Before becoming Lakeland High’s principal in 2016, he was assistant principal/athletic director from 2010 to 2016 and assistant principal from 2007 to 2010.

He taught chemistry and physics at Lakeland High from 1996 to 2009, preceded by four years of teaching in Boring, Oregon.

He has educational degrees from Multnomah University in Portland, Lewis-Clark State College and Gonzaga University.

Phone: 208-664-8241  l   Email: trent.derrick@cdaschools.org

SETH DENISTON

Director of Technology, Safety and Security

After growing up in the greater Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area, Seth returned to the area in 2014 from the Issaquah School District near Seattle. He has been in education for nearly 20 years, as a teacher, an educational technology specialist, and as an administrator. Seth oversees technology operations and instructional technology, collaborating with teachers and administrators on utilizing technology with our students to improve student learning and engagement. He also oversees our Safety and Security program, working with our staff, local law enforcement, and first responders to ensure campus safety. Seth holds Bachelor's degrees from the University of Washington, and a Master’s from Washington State University.

Phone: 208-664-8241  l   Email: sdeniston@cdaschools.org

SHANNON JOHNSTON

Director of Finance

Shannon Johnston joined the District in January 2022. She previously was Director of Finance at the Lakeside Union School District near San Diego. Shannon is a CPA with over seven years in school and governmental accounting, with a background in auditing. She previously was Business Operations Manager for a charter school in Spring valley, California; and she worked as audit manager responsible for planning, performing and leading financial and compliance audits of school districts and other entities. Shannon has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from San Diego State University. Her interests include animals, home DIY, running, dirt bikes and camping.

Phone: 208-664-8241  l  Email: shannon.johnston@cdaschools.org

HEATHER SOMERS

Director of Federal Programs and Assessments

Heather Somers has been named the Coeur d'Alene School District's new director of federal programs and assessments after serving for 11 years as principal and assistant principal at Atlas Elementary.

Heather served as an elementary school principal and test coordinator in Winnemucca, Nevada. She also has years of experience in managing federal programs such as Title 1 for reading intervention.

Somers will oversee the coordination of the federal projects in elementary and secondary schools. These include advanced learning programs, McKinney — Vento programs, foster, neglected/delinquent populations, Title II — professional development, American Indian education, English as a second language, Title IV, librarians, grants and 504 processes. She will also administer, collect, analyze and disaggregate student assessment and program evaluation data to provide feedback for improvement of the curriculum design and delivery process, student mastery of the curriculum and efficacy for general educational programming.Phone: 208-664-8241 x10047  l   Email: hsomers@cdaschools.org

FRANK MAIER

Director of Special Education

Frank has a Bachelor degree in Liberal Studies from Cal State University, Fullerton and a Master degree in Special Education from Claremont Graduate University. He taught middle school and elementary school special day classes, and as a teacher served on several committees regarding special education compliance, instruction, and curriculum. Prior to joining the Coeur d'Alene School District, he was a special education coordinator in West Covina, California and was part of a team that assisted with the monitoring, direction, evaluation, supervision, and coordination of the District’s special education program and related services.  He currently lives in Coeur d’Alene with his wife Stacey and two children. 

Phone: 208-664-8241  l   Email: fmaier@cdaschools.org

ERIC DAVIS

Director of Human Resources

We are excited to announce the selection of Eric Davis of Turlock, California, as the new Director of HR for our District. Eric is a Human Resource professional with experience in both educational and private-sector settings. Eric has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. 

“I am incredibly excited to begin working with all of you, and can’t wait to start meeting the dynamic team I’ve heard so much about already!” he said. “I’m thankful for the welcoming spirit, and look forward to serving you by collaborating on the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Eric worked as Development Director for a private charter school for 9 years, and for the past 12 years has worked as Employee Relations Manager for a large agribusiness in California’s Central Valley. Eric also co-owns a company that broadcasts local high school football and college baseball/basketball games with play-by-play commentary over an Internet radio station.

Phone: 208-664-8241  l   Email: eric.davis@cdaschools.org

JEFF VOELLER

Director of Operations

Jeff grew up in Seattle and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Western Washington University. After working as the operations manager at a mountaineering youth program in British Columbia, Jeff relocated to the Coeur d’Alene area. Since 2002, he has worked in management and leadership roles for several local companies within the building industry.

Jeff brings many translatable skills from the private sector to the public sector to ensure the efficient and safe operation of Coeur d’Alene schools and facilities along with visioning for future planning. He uses inspirational and collaborative leadership with a focus toward creating success for all students of Coeur d’Alene Public Schools. He and his wife, Amy, reside in Hayden with their two boys, who attend schools in the district.

Phone: 208-664-8241 x10004  l   Email: jvoeller@cdaschools.org

KEITH ORCHARD

Mental Health Coordinator

Keith is a Spokane native and grew up on the lakes of North Idaho. He is married to a fantastic school teacher and they have two incredible boys. His career began as a middle school science and math teacher. He then worked with Idaho Youth Ranch, Child Welfare and now Coeur d'Alene Public Schools. Keith has a heart for the schools and our community and feels blessed to be able to support students, teachers and families in this capacity.  

Phone: 208-664-8241 x10056  l   Email: korchard@cdaschools.org

LEANNE BULLAMORE, BSN, RN

Health Services Coordinator  

Leanne joined the District as a school nurse in 2015 after completing a school nurse certification course at Washington State University where she focused on preventive care and upstream thinking. Having previously cared for a primarily geriatric population with chronic diseases in an acute care setting, she was excited to begin working with staff and students to help promote health and wellness in our community. Leanne has over 26 years of experience in the medical field, including medical billing, office and laboratory management, acute care, and school nursing.

Leanne holds two associate degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity with a concentration in biblical languages. She has served as President of the School Nurse Organization of Idaho and is currently serving as Treasurer. Her other interests include volunteering at summer youth camps and freelancing as a Google Sheets expert. Leanne lives in Coeur d'Alene and loves spending time with her grandchildren, who attend school in the district.

Phone: 208-667-4544  l   Email: lbullamore@cdaschools.org

KATIE GRAUPMAN

Curriculum Coordinator 

Katie Graupman has lived and worked in North Idaho most of her life. She taught English, journalism and dual credit with North Idaho College for several years in the Lakeland School District. She was Idaho's 2013 Milken Award winner, and she holds Bachelor Degrees in English and Education and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Idaho. Katie is passionate about providing powerful learning experiences for every student. She lives with her husband and daughter in Coeur d'Alene.  

Phone: 208-664-8241 x10068 l   Email: kgraupman@cdaschools.org