Trust Our Expert Staff to Keep Things Running Smoothly

IDVA's administrative staff is composed of professionals and specialists dedicated to making a virtual academy a very real learning experience. Here are some of the people who work behind the scenes to keep IDVA responsive to your needs.

Kelly Edginton, director of academic services, has a wide variety of experience at IDVA. She began as one of the original teachers in 2002, was a K–8 lead teacher in 2003–2004 and, starting in 2004, served as K–8 teacher and then elementary principal for four years. She moved into Federal Programs and Testing for SY 2008–2009 and, in the fall of 2010, began as high school principal. Kelly still takes great pleasure in working for and with students, their parents, and the IDVA teachers and administrators.

Heidi Curtis, high school principal, has at IDVA since 2003, as middle school teacher, lead teacher, high school advisor, testing coordinator, federal programs manager, and now middle school principal. Heidi also taught middle school English and reading for 13 years. She holds a bachelor’s in secondary English education from Northwest Nazarene University and master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction and educational leadership from NNU. Heidi says, "Working at IDVA brings new experiences each day. Being on the cutting edge of education and meeting the individual needs of so many students makes this job very rewarding."

Kari Granier, K–8 principal, has been with IDVA since 2007. More recently, Kari served as School Principal to K–5 students, and previously as a lead teacher for the middle school. Prior to joining IDVA, Kari worked as a Title I teacher in two Idaho districts and worked with at-risk readers at the elementary-school level. She has also been a leader in the Response to Intervention (RtI) process, which targets specific interventions for struggling learners. Kari was nominated three times for Teacher of the Year by the Coeur d'Alene School District (2002, 2005, 2006). Kari holds Idaho Certification in Elementary Education with an endorsement as a reading specialist, along with being highly qualified as a middle school language arts teacher. Kari is currently finishing her educational leadership degree through the University of Idaho.

Tara Ball, special education manager,has been with Idaho Virtual Academy since 2002. She served as a special education teacher and both lead and master special education teacher prior to becoming the special education coordinator. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, with an endorsement in special education, and an educational specialist master’s degree in educational leadership with endorsements for special education administrator and consulting teacher from University of Idaho. Tara has taught in both general and special education, has a background as a home schooling parent, and also taught in a home school cooperative.

Allen Wenger, financial manager,joined K¹² in 2007. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a master’s in finance and banking from Wright State University in Dayton Ohio. Allen has work experience in the U.S. government, Peace Corps, and the Department of Defense. He spent 30 years in the Civil Service, working as a Financial Officer in the Air Force.         

Chase Trapp, technology manager, majored in computer science at the University of Idaho and has been a computer technician for the past 16 years. He owned his own computer store and was the first commercial Internet service provider in Idaho. Before coming to IDVA, Chase was the State System Administrator for the University of Idaho's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Communications Department.

Mike Groshong, human resources director, has been IDVA's Operations Manager since the school's inaugural year. Mike is the IDVA Human Resources Director. His background includes four years as an intelligence analyst and Russian interpreter with the Navy, and almost 18 years in upper management with American Drug Stores. He served as the dean of students, athletic director, and student council advisor for Butte County School District. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Montana and is pursuing a degree in corporate training from Idaho State.

Heidi Higgins, local development manager, was educated at Brigham Young University. She had three of her six children enrolled in Idaho Virtual Academy, beginning in 2002, and is the proud parent of an IDVA graduate. As Local Development Manager for IDVA, Heidi is responsible for information sessions, setting up event details, and working with teachers and families to ensure that there is interactivity within the school. Heidi enjoys reaching out to families who are interested in this educational choice. She also enjoys helping current families with the challenges of helping to educate their children at home. Heidi has been nationally recognized as a motivational and political speaker since 1978. She began speaking to families about this educational choice in 2003, shortly after seeing the benefits of having the curriculum in her own home.

Andrea Hampton, central office manager, joined IDVA in October 2008. She manages state testing, the state reporting system, Internet subsidy, and the day-to-day duties of the central office. Andrea earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Boise State University.  

Idaho Virtual Academy School Support Staff

Ashley Byington, office assistant, joined IDVA in September 2008. She is currently a student at BSU, studying toward a degree in social work. 

Tisha Case, executive assistant, joined IDVA in March 2010. She provides support in Medicaid billing, SES tutoring services, and student accounts. Tisha is working toward a degree in network management at Boise State.

Rozanne Clark, central office secretary, joined the IDVA staff in 2010. As parent to two IDVA students—and Booster President since 2007—Rozanne is familiar with the curriculum and understands the challenges of virtual schooling, making her a great candidate to answer parents’ questions by phone and in person. 

Julie Ingwerson, attendance and records clerk, joined IDVA in 2009. She attended Northwest College and BSU. Prior to joining IDVA, Julie worked in the banking industry. 

Emily Smith, virtual high school placement coordinator, has been with IDVA since April 2011. Emily, who worked as a summer reading teacher for the Bear Lake School District, loves working with kids of all ages and helping them feel important—and be successful! She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Western Governors University. 

Laura Powell, Virtual High School Registrar, handles all registrations that come through the office for high school. She contacts schools for transcripts and helps place students in their courses. Laura has been with IDVA since 2005.