✨ Connor Academy Teacher Spotlight ✨
Lets give a standing ovation to Mrs. Larkin, our wonderful K–5 Music teacher, who has been sharing the joy of music with Academy students for 13½ years—2½ years at Roosevelt Center and 11 years at Connor. Her classroom is filled with energy, creativity, and the belief that every child has a unique musical voice waiting to be discovered.
What she loves most about teaching is seeing students light up with enthusiasm as they learn, create, and experience music together. A lifelong lover of the arts, her favorite subjects in school were choir, theater, and writing.
Outside the classroom, Mrs. Larkin treasures time with her family. She has been married to her best friend, Scott, for 32 years, and together they have four grown children—all proud Academy graduates. Her family continues to grow with joy, including three grandchildren and a fourth on the way. Being “Granny” is, in her words, the greatest joy of all.
Mrs. Larkin enjoys spending time with loved ones through board games, card games, and strategy games, as well as relaxing together and making memories. She also has a deep love of genealogy and finds great joy in uncovering the stories of her ancestors—some of whom date back to the Revolutionary War.
Mrs. Larkin enjoys classic literature by authors such as Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Thomas Hardy, George Eliot, and Catherine Cookson, as well as beloved films like Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. She also draws inspiration from the life and faith of Joni Eareckson Tada, whose courage and perseverance deeply move her.
Musically, Mrs. Larkin embraces it all—from classical and jazz to country, pop, and rock—and brings that same variety into her classroom. She believes deeply that music is a universal language that strengthens the brain, nurtures the heart, and enriches every part of life.
Her journey has been filled with remarkable experiences, including performing in over forty musicals, operettas, and operas across Cape Cod, New York City, and Idaho, working as a nanny in NYC, and even working in sports like basketball, softball, and volleyball in her younger years.
And perhaps most charming of all—when she was little, she once lined up nearly 100 stuffed animals, named each one, and took attendance as their teacher. It seems she was always meant to teach.
Thank you, Mrs. Larkin, for helping students discover the joy of music and the confidence to share their own unique voices!
The crowd is roaring as we shine the spotlight on Justin Harmon, our awesome K–5 Physical Education teacher at Connor and Athletic Director at Alpine! With 16 years of teaching experience, 10 of those at Connor, Mr. Harmon brings energy, passion, and dedication to every class he teaches.
His favorite part of teaching? Watching students light up when they finally grasp a concept and knowing he’s making a difference in their lives. It’s no surprise that P.E. is his favorite subject, it was his favorite when he was a student too!
Originally from Illinois, Mr. Harmon is a proud family man. He and his wife, Allison, have three boys who attend the Academy. Fun fact: he’s the tallest in his family going back generations! When he’s not at school, you’ll likely find him lifting weights (especially grip strength training), spending time with his family, or watching vlog-style YouTube, he’s a big fan of Brian Shaw (Shaw Strength).
Mr. Harmon was inspired professionally by his P.E. teacher, Chad Hetlet, and mentor Jose Soto, who helped shape his path into education. Personally, he credits his wife, his dad and grandfathers, and close friends in the Pocatello/Chubbuck area for helping him become the person he is today.
In his classes, Mr. Harmon strives to help students build lifelong habits of being active and consistent, not just in fitness, but in life. He loves seeing students grow through Connor and Alpine, and especially enjoys when they come back to visit as high schoolers or adults.
One of his favorite quotes, displayed outside his office, says it all:
"Teachers who love teaching, teach students to love learning!"
His advice to students:
“Never stop learning or being active, find what you like and always do your best. IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE MUSTANG AND FALCON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Thank you, Mr. Harmon, for inspiring students to stay active, work hard, and always do their best. Connor Academy is grateful for the energy and enthusiasm you bring each day!
Helping every voice be heard and every word matter—meet Mrs. Schiess, our incredible K–8 Speech-Language Pathologist serving both Alpine and Connor! Her journey in education has grown right alongside her passion for helping students succeed, with 3 years as an Educational Assistant, 3 years as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, and now 3 years proudly working as an SLP.
One of Mrs. Schiess’s favorite parts of her role is working toward goals with her students and celebrating right alongside them when they achieve success. She believes deeply in progress, persistence, and the power of practice.
Her favorite subject in school was History, inspired by a teacher who brought stories to life in such an exciting way. That same love of storytelling carries into her work today.
Family is a big milestone for Mrs. Schiess, her child just graduated from the Academy, making all three of her children graduates of The Academy!
Outside of school, she enjoys staying connected through her book club, which she started five years ago. The group meets monthly to explore a wide variety of genres and share different perspectives on the stories they read.
She’s also a proud third-generation Detroit Lions fan and is looking forward to football season!
Her message to students is simple and powerful:
“Trying your best matters, mistakes are part of learning, and consistent practice leads to improvement.”
Thank you, Mrs. Schiess, for helping students find their voice, build confidence, and celebrate every step of their progress!
Ctrl + Alt + Celebrate—We’re excited to shine the spotlight on Mr. Sorensen!
Mr. Sorensen brings technology to life in our Computers & Technology classes! His favorite part of teaching is working with students and helping them learn how to navigate the ever-changing world of technology. He especially enjoys teaching Technology and Cyber Civics, sharing his passion for digital literacy and innovation.
When he was a student, his favorite subjects were Music, Science, and Industrial Arts—interests that still influence his hobbies today. Outside the classroom, Mr. Sorensen enjoys technology, drumming, motorcycling, and beekeeping. He also loves science fiction, fantasy, and thriller stories.
His life experiences have strengthened his dedication to helping students learn, grow, and succeed. After losing his wife to cancer when their son was just one year old, he raised him to adulthood. Today, his son is carrying on the family tradition of education as a teacher at Shoban Middle School.
Inspired by great minds such as Alan Turing, Albert Einstein, Galileo Galilei, and Isaac Newton, Mr. Sorensen hopes to inspire curiosity and a love of learning in his students. His message to students is simple:
"I care deeply about all my kids and want to share my passion for technology and science. My goal is to help raise the next generation of nerds and geeks."
Thank you, Mr. Sorensen, for sharing your passion for technology and inspiring curiosity for The Academy students every day!
Brushstrokes, color, and creativity come to life in Mrs. Nielson’s classroom! We’re excited to shine the spotlight on Mrs. Nielson, who teaches Art K–8 at The Academy.
Mrs. Nielson says The Academy is “the best place to teach!” She spent 7 years teaching part-time and is now in her 3rd year full-time, bringing her passion for art and learning to students every day.
Her favorite thing about being a teacher is simple—the students! Art is her favorite subject to teach, and she loves sharing her passion for creativity with young artists.
When she was a student, she enjoyed music, literature, and art—no surprise given the creativity she brings into her own classroom today. Mrs. Nielson and her husband Curt have been married for 32 years and have a big, loving family of 4 daughters, a son, sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and three cherished grandchildren who bring her so much joy.
Outside of school, she enjoys gardening, reading, and chatting with friends. Her favorite classic book is Jane Eyre, and she is currently enjoying The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion series. She admires many inspiring figures, especially artist Claude Monet, and dreams of visiting his famous gardens in Paris someday.
In her classroom, Mrs. Nielson encourages every student to explore a variety of art forms, believing that every child is an artist and can find a style they love.
She also shares deep gratitude for the Academy staff and the incredible support of the PTO, which helps make the school such a special place.
Thank you, Mrs. Nielson, for filling The Academy with creativity, inspiration, and heart every day!
This teacher adds up to something special! Please help us welcome April Clayson, Connor Academy's new 2nd Grade Teacher!
With 26 years of teaching experience, April brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for helping students learn and grow. She spent 6 years teaching 3rd and 4th grade before dedicating the last 20 years to teaching Pre-K.
April's favorite part of teaching is watching students learn and grow throughout the school year. A lifelong lover of history and English, she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for learning with her students.
When she's not in the classroom, April enjoys reading, baking, going on walks, serving in her church, and spending time with her amazing husband, their five children, and two beloved dogs. Some of her favorite books include Hatchet, The Giver, and Wuthering Heights.
One historical figure who inspires her is George Washington. After visiting Mount Vernon, she gained an even greater appreciation for his leadership, service, and dedication to others.
"I am so excited to teach at Connor Academy this fall. I love this school and the community it has created."
We're excited to have Mrs. Clayson join the Connor family and can't wait to see the positive impact she'll make in our 2nd-grade classrooms!
Always in the game and leading the team, we are excited to feature Coach Funke, who brings her passion for teaching and coaching to The Academy every day!
Ms. Funke teaches K–5 Special Education at Connor and also serves as the Volleyball and Girls Basketball Coach at Alpine. She has been teaching for 3 years and coaching for over 20 years, bringing passion, energy, and heart to everything she does.
Her favorite thing about teaching is creating a safe environment where students can decide who they want to be. She loves helping students build self-confidence, perseverance, and accountability, and she especially enjoys teaching math and history.
Growing up, her favorite subject in school was history because her teachers made her feel safe and brought the stories in her history books to life, an experience she now strives to provide for her own students.
Ms. Funke and her husband have three children, one who graduated from Connor and two currently attending Alpine. As former college athletes, they love sports and enjoy cheering on their kids in all their activities. Their family also includes two dogs: Trucey, who loves chasing frisbees all day long, and Mama, a self-proclaimed “lazy bones” who prefers cuddles and snacks.
Outside of school, Ms. Funke enjoys playing volleyball and singing. Her favorite movie is The Princess Bride, and her favorite book is You Win in the Locker Room First. She finds inspiration in her former teachers and her Grandpa Bob, also known as G-Bob.
Her family shares a love for fun vehicles—from woody wagons and Corvettes to VW Beetles, GTOs, and motorcycles. In fact, they love vehicles so much that they turned a big one into their home, they currently live in a converted school bus, also known as a “skoolie.”
Message to Students: "I believe in you! Even when you may not believe in yourself, I will. I see what you CAN do, what you ARE great at, and YOU ARE ENOUGH!"
Thank you, Ms. Funke, your passion for students and dedication to helping them grow academically, emotionally, and personally makes a lasting impact every day!
Bright minds need bright teachers, and Mrs. Preston is a shining example! We're excited to spotlight this incredible 3rd grade teacher, who brings 21 years of teaching experience to the classroom.
Her favorite part of teaching is building relationships with students, introducing them to new concepts, and watching those “light bulb” moments when everything clicks.
While she enjoys teaching every subject, Mrs. Preston has a special passion for math. She finds joy in helping students see themselves as capable problem solvers and encourages them to believe in their abilities every step of the way.
Outside the classroom, Mrs. Preston embraces life’s adventures. Whether she’s sailing, hunting, creating art, or simply spending time with her family, she brings that same sense of curiosity and joy into everything she does.
Thank you, Mrs. Preston, for helping students grow, learn, and believe in themselves!
Success starts with hard work, and Mrs. Jenkins leads by example! Alpine Academy is excited to spotlight her, our 6–8 Social Studies, Careers, and IDLA teacher, as she begins her 4th year of teaching in 2026–2027, continuing to inspire students to push beyond what they thought possible.
Her favorite part of teaching is helping students realize they are capable of more than they imagined. She especially enjoys teaching Business Development, while her favorite subject as a student was U.S. History.
Outside the classroom, Mrs. Jenkins is a busy mom of seven. Much of her time is spent outdoors, riding motorcycles, working with horses, and farming. She has a deep love for riding horses and enjoys books, movies, and shows centered around history.
She notes that Jeffrey R. Holland has been an influential figure in her life, inspiring her with his messages of faith, growth, and perseverance.
Her message to students says it best:
“Get comfortable being uncomfortable—this is where greatness happens.”
Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins, for challenging students to step outside their comfort zones and discover what they are truly capable of. Your encouragement, strength, and dedication make a lasting impact every day!
✨ The Academy 2026 Teacher Spotlight ✨
¡Hoy nos llena de alegría destacar a la increíble Señorita Baker! Ms. Baker, is The Academy's amazing is 5th–8th grade Español teacher at The Academy!
Ms. Baker has been part of The Academy family for 14 years, including 5 years as a classroom teacher. Her teaching journey has also taken her to classrooms in Mexico, Wyoming, and Louisiana, giving her a rich and diverse experience that she brings into every lesson.
Her favorite part of being a teacher is her students—watching them grow, sharing their laughter and jokes, keeping up with their trends, and celebrating each unique personality. She especially loves teaching Spanish, her favorite subject, while she enjoyed History most as a student.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Baker enjoys crafting, cross-stitch, diamond art, and sewing. She also loves spending time with her children, dancing, and singing at home. At home, she shares life with her husband, her two college-aged children (both bilingual), and her two beloved dogs, Chanel and Gucci.
Some of her favorite stories include Echo, The Memory of a Geisha, and The Zookeeper’s Wife. She also enjoys films like The Notebook and TV shows such as Downton Abbey and Money Heist. If she could sit down for tea with anyone, she would love to meet Queen Elizabeth II. She would also love to meet Leonardo Da Vinci and ask him about the secrets of his art.
Ms. Baker wants her students to know the following:
What to expect:
We will speak Spanish every day (don’t worry—you’ll learn step by step!).
You will make mistakes—and that’s part of learning.
We will do activities, games, conversations, and cultural projects (not just worksheets).
What I expect from you:
Try your best, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Participate and stay engaged.
Be respectful to your classmates and our classroom environment.
Important to know:
All work is done during class time (use your time wisely!).
7th and 8th grade will have homework every three weeks.
If you’re absent or fall behind, talk to me—we will make a plan.
Effort matters more than being perfect.
Why this class matters:
Learning Spanish gives you real-life skills—you can travel, connect with more people, and open doors for your future.
Why learning another language is important
1. It boosts your brain power
Learning a new language helps your memory, focus, and problem-solving skills. It’s like a workout for your brain, and it can even help you do better in other classes.
2. You can connect with more people
Speaking another language lets you talk to people from different countries and cultures. Whether it’s making new friends, traveling, or understanding music and movies, your world gets bigger.
3. It opens doors for your future
Knowing more than one language looks great on college applications and resumes. Many jobs today prefer people who can communicate with different communities.
4. You understand other cultures better
Language isn’t just words—it’s traditions, food, humor, and ways of thinking. Learning a language helps you see the world from different perspectives.
5. It builds confidence
At first, it can feel awkward, but every time you try speaking, you get braver. That confidence can carry into other parts of your life too.
6. It’s actually fun
You can understand songs, shows, memes, and social media in another language. It makes learning feel less like school and more like discovering something new.
Thank you, Ms. Baker, for making Spanish engaging, meaningful, and fun while opening doors to new opportunities for your students.
Connor Academy is proud to spotlight one of its founding educators, Mrs. Mary Ramos, our amazing 3rd grade teacher! With an incredible 35 years in education, including 20 years at Connor. She has made a lasting impact on generations of students.
One of her greatest joys in teaching is watching children grow and develop throughout the year. She especially loves when former students come back to visit or when she runs into them out in the community.
Her passion in the classroom is clear: “Math, math, math!” is her favorite subject to teach. As a student, she enjoyed chemistry the most.
Outside of school, Mrs. Ramos’s favorite role is being a Nana. She also enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time out on the water. In the evenings, you might find her watching Criminal Minds and trying to solve the mystery before the show reveals it.
Mrs. Ramos believes that third grade is the best place to be, and her enthusiasm makes it easy to see why.
Thank you, Mrs. Ramos, for your decades of dedication, love of learning, and lasting impact on generations of students. Connor Academy is truly grateful for the foundation you’ve helped build and the joy you bring every day!
As part of America's 250th Anniversary Celebration, The Academy will have student artwork on display at Chubbuck City Hall!
Join us on July 1, 2026 from 6:00–8:00 PM for a community celebration and see the incredible artwork our students have created. We hope you'll stop by and celebrate this historic occasion with us!
The stage was absolutely talent-ed with amazing performances and creative displays. From musical instruments and singing that hit all the right notes, to incredible artwork that drew plenty of attention, to hilarious skits that had the audience in stitches, our students truly shined.
We also took a moment to give a well-deserved shout-out to Alpine's undefeated volleyball team! Their hard work, teamwork, and winning spirit earned them a round of applause from the crowd.
And of course, the band performance rocked the house and ended the show on a high note!
It was a talent show for the books and a wonderful reminder of the creativity, confidence, and hard work our students bring to Alpine every day. Bravo to all of our performers—you really stole the show!
A huge thank you to our faculty, staff, families, and friends who worked so hard to make the celebration such a success. Your support, encouragement, and dedication helped create lasting memories for our graduates.
To our 8th graders: We are so proud of all you have accomplished and can't wait to see what the future holds for each of you. We will miss you, but we know you're destined for great things. Wishing you all the best in the years ahead!
Last week, we celebrated Connor Academy's 2025–2026 Kindergarten Graduation! It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize all the hard work, growth, and accomplishments of our kindergarten students throughout the year.
A special shout-out to our kindergarten teachers, their paraprofessionals, families, and friends who helped put the graduation together and supported our kindergartners every step of the way. Your encouragement, dedication, and care have made a lasting impact on these students.
We are so proud of our graduates and can't wait to see all the amazing things they will accomplish in the years ahead. Congratulations, Kindergarten Class of 2026!
Students also launched bottle rockets and had a soaring good time putting their STEM skills to the test. You could say their excitement really took off! From making a splash in the water to reaching new heights with their rockets, it was a day filled with adventure, laughter, and memories that are sure to stick the landing.
What a great way to make the most of the final days of the school year!
Earlier this year, Mrs. Watt's and Mrs. Nielsen's classes were unable to go cross-country skiing, but they didn't let that stop the fun. They made up for it with a trip to Ross Park, where students challenged themselves on the rock-climbing, tested their skills at frisbee golf, and found their balance on the slack line.
Then, all of fifth grade headed to Lava Hot Springs for a day of fun, relaxation, and unforgettable memories with friends. From climbing new heights to making a splash, our fifth graders had an incredible time celebrating the end of a fantastic school year.
What a great way to wrap up fifth grade!
For the last week of school, Alpine students took full advantage of the sunshine and spent their lunch break enjoying a friendly game of volleyball. It was great to see students staying active, working together, and making memories with their friends as we wrapped up another fantastic school year.
A huge thank you to all of the volunteers, PTO members, police officers, firefighters, parents, and staff who helped make Field Day such a special experience for our students. Your time, energy, and support made the day unforgettable!
We would also like to give a special thank you to Merlin's TV for their generous donation that helped make our Popsicle Station extra sweet, and to Randy's Gym for bringing gymnastics and obstacle course equipment that made Field Day even more awesome. We are so grateful for our amazing community partners and everyone who helped make this event a success!
Thank you for supporting our students and helping create lasting memories!
Blue-and-Gold Macaws are known for their striking blue wings, bright golden feathers, and impressive intelligence. These amazing birds can live for 50 years or more, learn words and sounds, and even solve simple puzzles. In the wild, they are native to the forests and wetlands of South America and are known for forming strong bonds with their families and companions.
Our students always love the opportunity to learn about these incredible birds up close. Thank you, Mrs. Steinlicht, for sharing Hercy and Morgan with us and helping make learning such a memorable experience!
