Meet our Administrative Staff
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.
Jason Erdmann, High School Principal
Jason has been a public school teacher for the past six years in Idaho and Washington. He enjoyed being an assistant varsity football coach and wrestling coach in a public high school for eight years. Before going into education, Jason owned his own sporting goods business for four years. He has a bachelor’s degree in special education and elementary education from Central Washington University. He has also received his master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Lesley University, and is currently working on a specialist degree in administration from the University of Idaho.
Kelly Edginton, K-8 Principal
Kelly enjoyed teaching elementary and middle school students as an IDVA teacher before moving into administration. She taught first grade in Idaho Falls after graduating with honors from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Kelly holds a master's degree in educational administration and supervision. She has taught both children and adults in multiple learning environments. She has also participated in textbook review, standardized test administration, parent organization, teacher training, and numerous child-centered volunteer activities.
Allen Wenger, Business Manager
Chase Trapp, Technology Manager
Chase 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
Mike has been IDVA's Operations Manager since the school's inaugural year. This year, he will also serve as the IDVA Human Resources Director, and he is responsible for establishing regional Parent-Teacher Advisory Boards throughout the state. Mike's 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 for three years. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Montana and is pursuing a degree in corporate training from Idaho State.
Cindy Schwartz, Enrollment Coordinator
Desiree Laughlin, Special Education Director
Desiree holds a bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Northern Colorado, and a master's degree in education administration from Idaho State University. Desiree has more than 25 years of experience working with students with disabilities. She has taught special education and work-based learning at the high-school level, has served as a junior high administrator, and has been a director of special education. Desiree has served as the president of the Idaho Association of Special Education Administrators, a member of the Board of Director's for Development Workshop, Incorporated, a member of the Idaho Falls Community Transition Team, and a member of the Bonneville County Children's Mental Health Alliance. She has worked on several state committees developing standards for certification of special education teachers, state achievement standards for humanities, and transition services for secondary students with disabilities.
Heidi Higgins, School Growth Coordinator
Heidi was educated at Brigham Young University. She has had three daughters enrolled in the Idaho Virtual Academy since 2002. As the IDVA School Growth Coordinator, she enjoys reaching out to families who are interested in this educational choice. She also enjoys helping current families with the challenges of having 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 this curriculum in her own home. She is currently employed by K¹².
Jason Erdmann, High School Principal
Jason has been a public school teacher for the past six years in Idaho and Washington. He enjoyed being an assistant varsity football coach and wrestling coach in a public high school for eight years. Before going into education, Jason owned his own sporting goods business for four years. He has a bachelor’s degree in special education and elementary education from Central Washington University. He has also received his master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Lesley University, and is currently working on a specialist degree in administration from the University of Idaho.
Kelly Edginton, K-8 Principal
Kelly enjoyed teaching elementary and middle school students as an IDVA teacher before moving into administration. She taught first grade in Idaho Falls after graduating with honors from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Kelly holds a master's degree in educational administration and supervision. She has taught both children and adults in multiple learning environments. She has also participated in textbook review, standardized test administration, parent organization, teacher training, and numerous child-centered volunteer activities.
Allen Wenger, Business Manager
Chase Trapp, Technology Manager
Chase 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
Mike has been IDVA's Operations Manager since the school's inaugural year. This year, he will also serve as the IDVA Human Resources Director, and he is responsible for establishing regional Parent-Teacher Advisory Boards throughout the state. Mike's 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 for three years. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Montana and is pursuing a degree in corporate training from Idaho State.
Cindy Schwartz, Enrollment Coordinator
Desiree Laughlin, Special Education Director
Desiree holds a bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Northern Colorado, and a master's degree in education administration from Idaho State University. Desiree has more than 25 years of experience working with students with disabilities. She has taught special education and work-based learning at the high-school level, has served as a junior high administrator, and has been a director of special education. Desiree has served as the president of the Idaho Association of Special Education Administrators, a member of the Board of Director's for Development Workshop, Incorporated, a member of the Idaho Falls Community Transition Team, and a member of the Bonneville County Children's Mental Health Alliance. She has worked on several state committees developing standards for certification of special education teachers, state achievement standards for humanities, and transition services for secondary students with disabilities.
Heidi Higgins, School Growth Coordinator
Heidi was educated at Brigham Young University. She has had three daughters enrolled in the Idaho Virtual Academy since 2002. As the IDVA School Growth Coordinator, she enjoys reaching out to families who are interested in this educational choice. She also enjoys helping current families with the challenges of having 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 this curriculum in her own home. She is currently employed by K¹².
