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Tanner Riley

Having grown up in the Wood River Valley, Miss Tanner was able to experience first hand the beauty of growing up as a child in our valley. As a young adult in our community, she was a multisport athlete who spent her free time getting outside and/or working with children. Whether she was babysitting, coaching sports, or being a camp counselor, she was always happy to be surrounded by children. After spending her high school career working through the Architectural Mechanical Design Academy, she wasn’t sure she wanted to continue down that path. Being passionate about working with children from a young age, her mother nudged her to become a teacher. 
 
After being recruited to play on their college soccer team, Miss Tanner decided to study Elementary Education at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. While studying to become a teacher, she worked as a preschool teacher for the Deer Valley Academy in Park City. Throughout her life, she has been passionate about visual arts, performing arts, and dance, so she earned a Minor in Visual Arts. Miss Tanner has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education (All Subjects K-8) with a Visual Arts Minor (K-12), a Master’s Degree in Instructional Design, and an Endorsement in Middle Levels Mathematics (5-9). In her 11 years as an educator, she has taught elementary school, middle school mathematics and science, and high school mathematics for the Blaine County School District. She is excited to make the shift to Syringa Mountain School!
 
When Miss Tanner isn’t in the classroom, she spends her time teaching dance classes at Art and Soul Dance Academy. During her summer vacations, she takes on the role of Art Director for St. Thomas Playhouse Company B productions where she teaches art to children ages 4-14 and enjoys coupling her passion for art with her love for teaching. In her free time, you can find Miss Tanner creating her own artwork/crafting and getting outside with her husband, Nolan, and daughter, Rell. As a family, they love finding the next adventure together!
 
Fun Fact: Miss Tanner grew up part-time on some of Idaho’s fish hatcheries because her father worked for Idaho Fish and Game, including Rapid River in Riggins, Cabinet Gorge in Clark Fork, and our very own Hayspur Fish Hatchery. She learned valuable outdoor life skills during her summer and winter breaks!

Local School Wellness Policy – Triennial Assessment

1. Introduction

In accordance with federal requirements, Syringa Mountain School conducts a triennial assessment of its Wellness Policy to measure implementation, compliance, and progress toward achieving wellness goals. This report summarizes findings from the most recent review cycle.

2. Policy Compliance

Policy Availability: The Wellness Policy is publicly available on the Syringa Mountain School website and accessible to families upon request.

Stakeholder Involvement: Input was sought from parents, staff, students, administrators, and community members through surveys and Parent Council meetings.

Compliance Findings:

Policy is in alignment with USDA requirements.

Annual review processes are in place, but documentation of some activities needs strengthening.

3. Progress Toward Goals

Nutrition Promotion & Education

Students receive nutrition education through Farm & Garden Science classes and hands-on projects such as outdoor gardens and the hydroponic tower garden.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are provided as healthy snack options, especially for students from low-income households, given Syringa does not operate a school lunch program.

Physical Activity

Students participate in daily outdoor recess and seasonal outdoor education (Carbonate Hike, Wagon Ho, ski days, etc.).

Movement and mindfulness are embedded throughout the day in line with Waldorf-inspired practices.

School-Based Activities

Parent Council helps coordinate festivals and events that include healthy foods and promote wellness (Harvest Festival, MayFaire).

Community partnerships support enrichment (local farms, Mountain Rides bus passes).

4. Evaluation of Implementation

Strengths:

Strong integration of farm and garden science.

Commitment to experiential, nature-based learning that embeds wellness into daily routines.

Active parent and community involvement.

Areas for Growth:

Need for more structured nutrition education lessons tied to Idaho health standards.

Expansion of access to healthy snacks, especially during testing weeks and festivals.

More documentation of how physical activity minutes align with state recommendations.

5. Next Steps & Action Plan

Develop a Wellness Committee that meets at least twice per year.

Create a more formal system to document nutrition education lessons across grade levels.

Increase student input in wellness initiatives through classroom councils or surveys.

Plan for the next triennial assessment in 2028, ensuring data collection occurs annually for easier reporting.

6. Public Notification

This Triennial Assessment will be shared on the Syringa Mountain School website and made available in print upon request.

Erica Maxwell

Ms. Erica is thrilled to bring her passion for the natural world into the classroom at Syringa. With a Bachelor of Science from Boise State University and a love for outdoor learning, she’s dedicated to helping students discover the wonder of science through hands-on exploration, curiosity-driven projects, and real-world connections.

Before finding her home in education, Erica explored diverse paths in pharmacy, business operations, and public health — all experiences that shaped her holistic approach to teaching and her belief that science is deeply connected to every part of life.

Whether she’s guiding students through a nature investigation or sparking a classroom experiment, Erica encourages them to ask bold questions, look closely at the world around them, and think wildly!

Fun Fact: Erica was born and raised here in Hailey, Idaho.

Robin Englehardt

Mr. E grew up in North County, San Diego. Robin received a football scholarship to Stanford University, where he also discovered his love for film. He spent 30 years working in the entertainment industry as a producer, director, editor, and cinematographer, and earned his MFA from the American Film Institute in 1996.

In 2010, Robin moved from Santa Monica, California to Bellevue, Idaho. Since then, he has shifted his focus to working with children and education. Over the last 15 years, he has served as a Cub Scout Den leader, football coach, ski instructor, full-time teacher, and substitute teacher. Robin is excited to be a part of the team at Syringa Mountain School and is currently pursuing his K–8 teaching license.

When not teaching, you can find Robin walking his dog, Sunshine, riding his gravel bike, or snowboarding on Baldy.

Fun Fact: Before becoming a beloved teacher, Robin was nearly trampled by a silverback gorilla in Uganda—all in a day’s work filming for the Travel Channel! From dodging sniper fire in Sarajevo to testing shark-proof suits in the Caribbean, his camera has been on some wild rides. Now, he’s channeling all that adventure into the classroom at Syringa Mountain School!

Brian VanderWyst

I grew up in a small town in southern Idaho, and after graduating from Boise State, I decided to take a gap year in Puebla, Mexico. It was a year that changed me – I learned Spanish and immersed myself in a new culture. Eventually, I found my way back to Idaho, where I’ve lived in the Sun Valley area for the past 20 years with my wife and our three daughters.

Our family feels incredibly lucky to be raising our girls in such a vibrant and supportive community, and I am excited to contribute to Syringa Mountain School’s mission. With a background in finance and a passion for community engagement, I look forward to using my skills and enthusiasm to support the school and help it continue to thrive.

Nora Roebuck

Originally from Peru, I am a 24-year resident of the Wood River Valley. I’ve worked with students at Wood River Middle School and Wood River High School as a paraprofessional and translator. And as a preschool teacher at the Big Wood School. I hope to bring this experience and dedication to Syringa Mountain School Board.
I want to continue to strive for educational excellence for our students. I will continue these efforts by supporting our teachers and staff, so that all students can succeed.

My 12-year old son, Sebastian is in 8th grade and looks forward to attending Wood River High School thanks to the formation he has received over the last 5 years at Syringa.

I love our friendly, compassionate, and caring community, and I want to give back by serving as your school board member.

Christopher Alexander

Chris moved to the Wood River Valley in 2020 with his Idaho-native wife Jane and now four children. He grew up in Boston and also lived in the DC Metro area. He has degrees from Boston University and Johns Hopkins University in International Relations and Economics respectively. Professionally he has a lot of experience helping health care institutions, government, and businesses better serve patients, citizens, and customers.

Chris loves Syringa. It’s the main reason he moved here and loves seeing his children thrive emotionally and academically. Chris paid rent during his college years translating Individualized Education Plans for Brazilian students. Then his first post-college job was at a health clinic advocating for kids to get appropriate school services. He’s very happy to contribute back to the Syringa Community by serving on the Board.

Shannon Harris

Shannon Harris grew up in Shoshone, Idaho, and graduated from Shoshone High School. After college, she returned to her hometown and began working in the administrative office for the Shoshone School District. She and her husband, Mark, raised two daughters who also graduated from Shoshone High.

Shannon and Mark now live in Gooding, Idaho. Mark has been a self-employed farrier for many years. Their oldest daughter is a Speech-Language Pathologist for the Gooding School District, and their youngest is a high school English teacher in the Shoshone School District. Shannon and her oldest daughter also operate a greenhouse where they raise heirloom vegetables organically. Gardening is a large part of her life, and she balances it with a rigorous work schedule and spending time with her grandchildren, ages 5 to 15.

She is excited to be part of the Syringa Mountain School community.

Fun Fact: Throughout their school years, Shannon and her entire family were active in sports and rodeo, which took them on many special adventures. Today, that spirit of activity and adventure continues as she follows her grandchildren in their many sports and extracurricular activities—where they also maintain high academic honors.

Sarah Seppa

Sarah moved from Buffalo NY to the Wood River Valley in 2002 where she met her future husband Jon. In 2008 they married and moved to Seattle where Sarah attended Bastyr University and received a Master’s degree in Nutrition and became a Registered Dietitian. After the birth of their son Silas in 2012, they moved back to the valley in 2013 and Sarah started working at St. Luke’s. She became a Certified Diabetes Educator in 2015 and their daughter Norah was born in 2016.

Sarah is passionate about ensuring her children have access to the outdoors, arts, and music through a Waldorf-inspired education model. She enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and downhill and nordic skiing with her family and friends. She currently works for St. Luke as the director of Community Engagement and manages the Center for Community Health.