Teachers

Meet Our Teachers

Tim Benedick | Special Education

Mr. Benedick received his degree from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. He has spent several years teaching in both traditional and online schools and enjoys working with ITCA’s wonderful students and families to encourage and support their success. Mr. Benedick lives in Caldwell with his wife and kids. He enjoys traveling, sports, music, and anything Disney-related.

Rozanne Clark | English and Lead Teacher

Mrs. Clark earned her degree at Weber State University in Utah and is working on a master’s degree in online education. Mrs. Clark is an experienced Learning Coach for virtual instruction, as she worked with her two children in K12-powered schools for 14 years. Mrs. Clark lives with her husband and children in Nampa.

Melissa Colwell | Math

Mrs. Colwell earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics Education from Brigham Young University in 2013. Over the last 10 years, she has taught both middle school and high school math courses for grades 7-12 in traditional and alternative settings in California and Idaho. She believes that ALL students can succeed in mathematics and strives to build her classes in such a way. She loves helping students achieve their goals. She is based in Idaho Falls and loves spending time with her husband & two sons, escaping to Island Park, traveling to see family, and reading a good YA book.

Mindy Comstock | Community Engagement Coordinator

Mrs. Comstock has a degree in graphic design from the College of Southern Idaho. Her career changed as she merged into the K through 12 education field as a secretary at a brick-and-mortar school. Mrs. Comstock loves education and helping students pursue their academic goals. She is excited to combine her background in K–12 and her passion for technical programs at ITCA. In her time away from the office, Mrs. Comstock and her family spend time on the family dairy, fishing, and with family and friends. She has two daughters who love sports, friends, and keeping busy.

Shelly Edmunson | Business

Ms. Edmunson received her BA in secondary business education from Idaho State University and her master’s in educational technology from Boise State University. She has more than 25 years of experience in education and aspires to instill the love of learning in her students. Ms. Edmunson lives in Council with her husband and has three grown children and eight amazing grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, camping, hiking, skiing, and paddle boarding.

Abigail Heikes | Agriculture

Mrs. Heikes spent the first two years of her collegiate education at Western Texas College receiving her Associate of Science in agriculture while representing the Westerners on the women’s volleyball team. She transferred to the University of Idaho upon completing her degree, graduating in 2019 with a BS in agricultural education. Mrs. Heikes taught for three years at a technical academy in a two-teacher ag. program, where she built the animal medicine pathway. She resides in Gem County with her husband and one-year-old daughter. When not teaching, you can find Mrs. Heikes playing or coaching volleyball, skiing, or enjoying the outdoors with her friends and family.

Staci Leavitt | Business

Ms. Leavitt received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Idaho State University and has been an educator for more than 20 years. She enjoys it when a student has learned something new and is willing to share their knowledge with others. Ms. Leavitt’s hobbies include quilting, sewing, reading, cooking, and traveling. In her travels, she has walked along the Great Wall of China and has traveled to New Zealand to explore the glow worm caves. Ms. Leavitt also likes to try new recipes and compare ingredients in recipes. Some of her favorite time is spent hanging out with her nieces and nephews.

Erin Lee | History

Mrs. Lee is from Blackfoot, Idaho, and is a proud graduate of The College of Southern Idaho and Idaho State University. She has an AA in secondary education and a BA in secondary education, with an emphasis in English and a minor in history. Mrs. Lee is in her sixth year of teaching. Outside of teaching, she enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and the arts. Her true joy is her husband, three rambunctious boys, and one sweet-tempered little girl.

Zack Moore | Pharmacy Tech / Health  

Mr. Moore received his pharmacy technician education from Carrington College in Boise, Idaho. He spent several years teaching in a hospital setting and enjoys working with students and families. Mr. Moore lives in Kuna with his wife and kids. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, sports, and anything pharmacy-history related.

Eric Olsen | Math

Mr. Olsen joined ITCA in 2020. He has been teaching high school math since 2011. He is passionate about teaching students how to take ownership of their learning. Mr. Olsen loves hanging out with his wife and kids. Some of his interests include trail running, reading science fiction, performing traditional Irish music, playing in the garden, and trying new things.

Kathryn Shoemaker | Medical Assistance/Health

Mrs. Shoemaker received double bachelor’s degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and her master’s degree from Concordia University-Portland. She moved to Idaho from Colorado in 2014 and has loved every minute. Mrs. Shoemaker lives in New Plymouth with her husband, two kids, and barn cats on their farm and bison ranch. In her free time, she loves to go white water rafting, snowmobiling, and visiting her family in Colorado.

Lisa Washburn | Science

Ms. Washburn lives in Northern Idaho and received both her BS and MEd from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. The 2020–2021 academic year was her sixth year teaching science in the Idaho public schools. Some of her accomplishments include being one of 18 science teachers in the U.S. to win the NSTA Shell Lab Challenge in 2018 and the 2016 Cubes in Space experimental competition with her science students. She also has five years of experience as an FTC and FLL robotics coach. Before teaching, Ms. Washburn worked in research labs at Washington State University and is a published scientific author.

Kristi Granier | Counselor

Mrs. Granier graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer science and a master’s in education for school counseling. Mrs. Granier worked as a college and career advisor at North Idaho College and has been a high school counselor for the past seven years. She lives in Coeur d’Alene with her husband, son, and daughter. She enjoys sunshine, traveling, and spending time with her family.