Category: teachers

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.

Mr. G started his journey in education in 2011 when a young college student inspired him to return to the University of Idaho to get his degree in Art Education. With a Bachelor’s in Photography from the University of Utah already, it wasn’t a huge leap to start teaching art and graphic design. For nearly ten years, Joshua taught various types of art to high school students in Garden City, KS, and obtained a Master’s in Instructional Technology from Fort Hays State University. But when family needed his support, he returned to the Wood River Valley, teaching art for a year at Hemingway STEM School.

In his younger years, he adventured on the Clark Fork in Missoula, MT as a photographer, interacted daily with the Wood River Community as the assistant manager at Shorty’s Diner, and dabbled in graphic design for a non-profit and various local businesses.

His honesty, loyalty, and drive is exemplified by his creative lessons and love of teaching, no matter the age. He takes pride in creating community and connecting with students on a one-on-one basis and providing a safe space for students to learn and create themselves.

He currently lives in Hailey, ID with a published author who identifies as his spouse and three fuzz-brained cats while collecting video games and vinyl records.

Fun Fact:  Josh watches a ton of YouTube about true crime, medical mysteries, and sports–specifically track and field. Ask him about his latest video trivia!

Ms. Patton is originally from Kentucky and first visited Blaine County in 2002, where her family quickly agreed, “Our souls sing here!” An international educator, accomplished attorney, and award-winning youth mentor, Claudette Patton has dedicated her life to nurturing and protecting children—both in the courtroom and the classroom—while positioning them for success.

Her leadership and service have been recognized with a gubernatorial appointment to the Child Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board, as well as a state Volunteer of the Year Award for her mentorship of at-risk youth. Nationally, she was honored by the Congressional Award Foundation and the White House with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for mentoring disadvantaged youth through the Congressional Award Gold Medal program—the highest honor Congress grants to youth in the United States.

As a nonprofit board member and civic engagement leader, Claudette has worked tirelessly to “make dreams come true” for students of all ages. For recreation, she enjoys skate skiing, hiking, and competing on a curling team. A second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, she is currently teaching the art form to her 5-year-old grandson, Elias.

Claudette returned to live full-time in Hailey in 2025. She and her husband, Jim, enjoy traveling, hosting friends and family for holiday gatherings, and making special memories with their daughter, grandson, and three beloved rescue dogs.

Fun Fact: Claudette has visited 39 countries on humanitarian mission trips and has 156 nations to go!

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!

Ms. Michele is looking forward to beginning her fourth year at Syringa Mountain School as the full-time Special Education teacher. While she’s sad to step away from Farm & Garden, she’s excited to support the new teacher and help the program continue to grow.

Originally from Colorado, Michele moved to Bozeman, Montana after high school. She began studying Elementary Education before earning a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Montana State University in 2013. Although she initially planned to pursue nursing, becoming a mom shifted her path. After spending six years as a stay-at-home mom, her lifelong passion for working with children led her back to the education field. Michele holds an Idaho Exceptional Child Education (K–8) certificate and is currently completing CSI’s Non-Traditional Educator Prep Program (NTEPP).

In 2018, Michele and her husband, Jack—a Wood River Valley native—moved to his family’s 20-acre farm just south of Bellevue, where their sons, William and Luke, love exploring and getting their hands dirty. Syringa quickly became a central part of Michele’s life when William started kindergarten. She began as a dedicated volunteer, served on the Board of Directors, and later joined the staff as a paraprofessional. Michele also serves as Parent Council Chair and Board Liaison and remains actively involved in fundraising and school events.

This year, Michele is especially excited that both of her boys will be at Syringa with her—William in 4th grade and Luke starting kindergarten. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, gardening, tending to her chickens and ducks, and spending time outdoors camping, hiking, biking, and skiing with her family. She is passionate about Syringa’s mission and grateful to be part of such a supportive and inspiring community.

Fun Fact: Michele loves to travel and once spent a semester abroad in a small town in Italy.

Ms. Janessa was raised here, in the Wood River Valley, where she spent time enjoying all that this beautiful place has to offer. Janessa graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Social Work, focusing on arts, psychology, and education. After graduating, Janessa returned home and began working with non-profits and local schools to find a place and position that matched her skills and interests.

A paraprofessional position opening at Syringa presented itself at just the right moment in Janessa’s life. After accepting the role, Janessa went on to teach 3rd and 4th grade for several years. She is now thrilled to be part of the middle school faculty as the teacher for 7th and 8th grade. Supporting students as they grow into adolescence—navigating deeper questions, big ideas, and new challenges—is a part of teaching that Janessa has always been drawn to, and she feels incredibly fortunate to do that work here at Syringa.

Outside the classroom, Janessa enjoys spending time in the natural world—skiing, backpacking, hiking, and camping are among her favorite activities. She is also passionate about the arts and loves finding ways to bring creativity and self-expression into both teaching and daily life.

Fun Fact:  Janessa played rugby for six years as a flanker—an experience that taught her a lot about teamwork, grit, and staying grounded under pressure!

 

Ms. Myers is a sixth-generation Wood River Valley native on her father’s side, with maternal roots in the Basque Country of Spain. Shawn’s mother’s family had a sheep ranch, and her father’s family were farmers and ranchers before eventually becoming excavators—deeply tied to the land and the legacy of this valley. A graduate of Wood River High School, Shawn earned her Elementary Education degree from Boise State University. After college, she followed her love of teaching and traveled the world, gaining experiences that deepened her understanding of people, cultures, and education.

Eventually, the mountains called her home again. She returned to raise her two sons in the valley that raised her—both of whom now carry the same deep love for this place that generations before them have passed down. Traveling remains a big part of who they are as a family, blending local roots with a global spirit.

At Syringa, Shawn blends Waldorf-inspired philosophy with a deep love for nature-based, experiential learning—alongside structured, research-based instruction that supports the whole child.

Outside of school, Shawn simply loves being outdoors. Whether she’s skiing in the winter, hiking local trails, camping under the stars, or fishing with her tenkara rod, nature is where she feels most grounded. She’s equally at home on a backcountry path or an international journey—adventure is a core part of her life.

Fun Fact: Shawn serves on the Board of Directors for the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, a role she deeply values for its celebration of heritage, storytelling, and land-based traditions. It’s one way she honors her roots and helps carry forward the cultural fabric of the valley she’s proud to call home.

Ms. Ashley was born and raised in rural, northern Illinois. Ashley and her husband Keith felt drawn to move to the mountains of Idaho after a cross-country road trip in the summer of 2019. They have been living in the Wood River Valley since November of 2019. They have 3 puppy children who act as “teacher helpers” in the music classroom at Syringa.

Ashley holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education and a Master of Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Iowa. She holds a certified teaching license in the state of Idaho. Ashley also owns and operates Wood River Piano, LLC, where she teaches classical piano to many local students.  Every Sunday, Ashley can be found working as the musical director/piano accompanist at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Hailey.

Prior to teaching at Syringa, Ashley taught K-12 music in Shoshone, Idaho, piano at several music academies, also a community college back in Illinois. Ashley enjoys  seeing her students grow as budding musicians.

Fun Fact:  I love watching WNBA basketball, specifically Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.