COEUR D’ALENE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A Coeur d’Alene Public Schools graduate, Dr. Nelson leads our teaching and learning efforts throughout the district, including instruction, assessment, curriculum, special education, and federal programs. Idaho’s 2005 Milken National Educator, he holds undergraduate degrees in Spanish, broadcast journalism, curriculum, technology, and administration and a Doctorate of Philosophy in educational leadership from the University of Idaho.  

(208) 664-8241  l   Email Dr. Mike Nelson

Seth has been in the education profession for over 20 years as a teacher, an educational technology specialist, and an administrator. Employed by the Coeur d'Alene School District for 10 years, Seth oversees all operational departments, such as Human Resources, Finance, Food Service, Maintenance, Safety & Security, School Plus, Technology, and Transportation. He also oversees the district's long range planning and facility updates, and works closely with community partners. Seth holds Bachelors degrees from the University of Washington, a Master’s degree from Washington State University, and an Education Specialist degree in Executive Educational Leadership from Boise State University.

Contact: (208) 664-8241  l  Email Seth Deniston

Heather Somers is the Coeur d'Alene School District's director of federal programs and assessments. Heather served for 11 years as principal and assistant principal at Atlas Elementary.  Prior to that, Heather was an elementary school principal and test coordinator in Winnemucca, NV. She has years of experience in managing federal programs such as Title 1 for reading intervention. As the Director of Federal Programs, Heather oversees the coordination of 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 also administers, collects, analyzes, and disaggregates student assessment and program evaluation data and provides feedback to improve the curriculum design and delivery processes, student mastery of the curriculum, and efficacy for general educational programming.

(208) 664-8241 l   Email Heather Somers

With 26 years of secondary public education experience, Trent joined the Coeur d'Alene School District in 2022 after serving as principal of Lakeland High School for six years. Prior to becoming Lakeland's principal, he served as assistant principal/athletic director from 2010 to 2016 and assistant principal from 2008 to 2010. He taught chemistry and physics at Lakeland High from 1996 to 2010, preceded by four years of teaching in Boring, Oregon. Trent holds an AA degree from Multnomah University in Portland, OR, a Bachelors degree from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, ID, and a Masters Degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA.      

(208) 664-8241  l  Email Trent Derrick

Eric Davis has served as the Director of Human Resources since 2021. Eric has extensive human resources experience in both education and private-sector settings. Prior to joining the district, Eric worked as Development Director for a private charter school for 9 years, and as an Employee Relations Manager for a large agribusiness in California’s Central Valley for 12 years. Eric 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. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.  

(208) 664-8241  l   Email Eric Davis

Shannon Johnston joined the Coeur d'Alene School District in January 2022. She previously served as the Director of Finance for the Lakeside Union School District near San Diego, CA. Shannon is a CPA with over seven years of experience in school and governmental accounting and auditing. She also worked as the Business Operations Manager for a charter school in Spring Valley, CA and as an audit manager responsible for planning, performing, and leading financial and compliance audits of school districts and other entities. Shannon holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from San Diego State University. Shannon loves animals, home DIY, running, dirt biking, and camping.

(208) 664-8241  l  Email Shannon Johnston

Stefany joined the district in April 2023, bringing with her 26 years of strategic communications experience. Stefany has held senior level positions in natural resource businesses, higher education, public and government affairs, and as a consultant, including serving both of Idaho’s U.S. Senators Crapo and Risch as North Idaho Regional Director; Executive Director of Communications and Marketing for the University of Idaho; Director of Corporate Communications for Coeur Mining Co.; Vice President of Communications for the Intermountain Forest Association; and Vice President for PacWest Communications. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, internal/external communications, media relations, crisis communication, campaign development, public relations and community outreach, team leadership, and government affairs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Elmira College in Elmira, NY and a Master of Science from the University of Idaho. Stefany has lived in Coeur d’Alene since 1997. 

(208) 664-8241 | Email Stefany Bales