Hello Warrior Students & Families!
I have the wonderful blessing of teaching English and Math, and serving as Kootenai's AVID District Director.
I have been working within the Kootenai School District since January 2017 and I truly LOVE our students, staff, and community.
I took the long road to get here. After various degrees in Political Science, History, Psychology, and Law, followed by years of travel, business administration, management, communications, and customer service, I found my way back to teaching and came to understand that teaching Jr. High and Sr. High students is definitely my calling and passion.
Like many of our students, I wrestled with mathematics in my early years. I know what it is like to struggle with equations and formulas. Math doesn't come easy for everyone, so I am here to HELP and point our students in the right direction. What I have come to learn, and love, is that math is black and white. There is only one right answer. Mathematics helps our students solve problems, think critically, apply concepts to every day life circumstances, and communicate effectively.
I thoroughly enjoy watching our students "get it" and grow in their learning. When students know the formula or the tricks and become confident in their abilities, they also get excited about math and learning. I am also thrilled to coach our Mathematics Olympiads team in the Jr. High.
I also have a passion for literature, grammar, and writing. I am excited to continue teaching 11th and 12th Grade English and Honors English classes. My favorite part of teaching English--besides getting to read some of my favorite books over and over again--is overseeing our Senior Projects. I look forward to helping the Seniors each year as they finish off their Kootenai career and prepare for the future.
As our AVID District Director, I oversee our AVID Professional Development, Advisory courses, and I also get to teach the Jr. High AVID elective. This is an opportunity for our students to be challenged with academic rigor, have their eyes opened to future possibilities, and learn the necessary communication and organization skills to be successful in school and beyond.
I believe that each one of my students is fully capable of of doing great things and meeting the goals they have set forth in life.
I am a WARRIOR through and through and love being a part of our Kootenai community. I coach the Jr. High Girls Basketball, work as the Secretary and Team Manager for the Kootenai Trap Team, serve as the class advisor for the class of 2025, and volunteer with Harrison FFA.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family--my husband Ron, and our four kids at home--Ronnie, Sadie Rose, Dani, and Kaycee. I love to travel, read, write, organize, watch movie marathons and spend time outside or on the water. I also love to watch my children raise and show Lambs and Pigs. Yes, we live an active farm life. We are also members at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls and love our community.
And since my students always ask...
- My favorite foods are Uncrustables, Elotes, nachos, lasagna, and anything ethnic--Japanese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, or Korean.
- My favorite candies are Chico Sticks, Nerd Gummy Clusters, Mike & Ikes, Sour Patch Kids, or Take 5 bars.
- My favorite animal is a Sea Otter.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the curriculum, upcoming tests, or the assignments your students have brought home.
Mrs. Nelson's Schedule for the 2024-2025 year:
1st Period:12th Grade English
2nd Period: Prep
3rd Period:11th Grade English
4th Period: Geometry
5th Period: 7th Grade Math
6th Period: Speech
7th Period: Jr. High AVID Elective