Wakapa Academy is excited to begin its second year here in Buhl. Last year was a huge success. Every student that Wakapa graduates helps to make our community that much stronger. As Wakapa grows, they are opening up opportunities for struggling students in surrounding districts. This year, the school will accept students from Filer, Wendell, Castleford, Bliss, and Hagerman. The school is also expanding their staff with the addition of several talented professionals.
Heather Leishman will serve as the school’s part time counselor. Heather comes to the Buhl School District from Twin Falls. She was first employed with TFSD in 2011. She is currently in the last year of her Counseling Master’s program and she will be working as the counselor for Wakapa as well as the College/Career Transition Coordinator for Buhl High School. In addition to work and grad school, Heather also has three sons (two of whom are still in high school) and sees clinical clients one evening per week!
Ann Glimm comes to Wakapa Academy with years of business experience prior to getting her teaching certificate. She has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and a Masters in Education. Working with kids who have struggled with math concepts has been a special emphasis and getting students ready to be productive citizens is her primary goal. Ann moves to Buhl from Libby, Montana. She and her Australian Shepherd are excited to call Idaho home and be involved in the community.
Hillary Frost has been involved in education and the natural sciences for over ten years. She has been an educator for children as young as pre-school to elderly seniors learning English as a Second Language. She has had a number of teaching assignments at the secondary school level with the Twin Falls School District. Hillary is excited to explore the sciences of ecology and forensics with the students and staff of the Wakapa Academy in a unique project-based learning environment.
Jennifer Miller is a native Magic Valley resident, who graduated from Dietrich High School before attending the College of Southern Idaho, Idaho State University and Central Washington University. Jennifer previously taught at Caldwell High School for one year, and Magic Valley High School for fifteen, before joining the Wakapa team. She is married to Kevin Taylor, and is the proud mom of Devin and Delanie Blackburn, and proud “bonus mom” of Nichole Taylor. Jennifer lives in Twin Falls and is very active in community theatre.
Maggi Fortner Principal, Wakapa Academy