K-5 Faculty

jhandyside@northstarcharter.org

Julie Handyside was born in Laramie, Wyoming, and grew up in Eastern Oregon. She earned her teaching degree at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oregon. She earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2012. Julie has lived in Idaho for the past 27 years and has taught fourth and fifth grades for several years. For the last 12 years, she has been teaching full-day kindergarten.

Julie has two children. Her son, Nathan, lives in Nampa and is a crew manager. Her daughter, Kellie, graduated with a BS in Psychology and has since earned her master’s degree in Nonprofit Management. She currently lives in St. Louis. Julie loves being a parent and takes pleasure in sharing their challenges and triumphs. She also loves teaching; it is right up there with parenting.

Art is one of Julie’s passions. She enjoys oil painting, charcoal and pastel drawing, as well as ceramics. During middle school, high school, and college, she took as many art classes as she could, along with private lessons. She has a minor in art and enjoys teaching and encouraging her students to love and appreciate the many elements of art. In kindergarten, students are able to explore a huge variety of mediums.

Other things Julie enjoys include reading, quilting, camping, fishing, white-water rafting, and horseback riding. She loves to hike in the mountains or just sit by a lake. Anything outdoors, and she is game.

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tvanderwiel@northstarcharter.org

Tisha Vanderwiel is honored to be one of the full-day kindergarten teachers at North Star Charter School. Teaching young children is truly her passion, and she is deeply committed to nurturing each child’s curiosity, confidence, and love of learning. Her goal is to create a rich, engaging classroom environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach—and exceed—their potential.

Tisha holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, along with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. With over twenty years in education, this will be her sixteenth year teaching kindergarten at North Star Charter School. Before entering the public classroom, she founded, owned, and operated a large childcare center in Boise, serving approximately 120 children ranging from six weeks to twelve years old for more than a decade. That experience deepened her appreciation for early childhood education and strengthened her understanding of the remarkable growth that takes place during a child’s foundational years.

Outside of the classroom, Tisha is the very proud “Dramama” to her three wonderful grandchildren—Raider Crue, Brooklyn Dodger, and Damon Riot. Family is at the center of her life, and she treasures spending time with loved ones, traveling, camping, dancing, and enjoying the beauty of Idaho’s outdoors.

As a lifelong Idahoan, Tisha feels incredibly grateful to be part of the North Star community. She deeply believes in the school’s mission, culture, and commitment to excellence. She looks forward to another amazing year of growth, discovery, and joyful learning alongside her students and their families.

kroth@northstarcharter.org

sasin@northstarcharter.org

Shalayne Asin was born in Tucson, Arizona. She moved to Boise 22 years ago with her amazing husband, Todd, and loved it. She is the mom to three wonderful children; Adison, Avery, and Tanner.  She is excited to start her seventh year here at North Star teaching the wonderful first graders again.

She graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education focused on K–8, with a Literacy endorsement, a Reading Specialist certificate for both K–8 and 8–12 and a history minor. Before teaching 1st grade she taught 3rd grade, 4th grade and kindergarten. She is passionate about teaching and the students that she teaches. She strives to encourage their delightful sense of wonder and individuality in and out of the classroom. One of her favorite things each year is to get to watch as the students grow in confidence, grasp new ideas and come to see that learning is an exciting and fun experience. She strives to make her classroom a welcoming, happy environment that inspires students to want to learn.

She enjoys biking, swimming, taking long walks with her family and just about anything out in the sunshine. She likes snowshoeing and sledding with her family. She loves to read, especially in the sunshine. 

cloper@northstarcharter.org

Charleen Loper was raised in Southern California, where she met and married her husband, a native of Nampa, Idaho. After spending five years in California, they relocated to Idaho to raise their family. All of their children went on to graduate from Boise State University.

Mrs. Loper earned her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies from Boise State University in 2008. She began her teaching career in kindergarten, where she taught for two years before discovering her passion for first-grade education.

In her classroom, Mrs. Loper fosters a positive and supportive learning environment, encouraging students to believe in their abilities and approach challenges with confidence. She encourages a collaborative classroom atmosphere where students feel motivated to grow both academically and personally.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Loper enjoys reading, biking on the greenbelt, working on creative projects, and spending quality time with family and friends. Mrs. Loper looks forward to partnering with students and their families to cultivate a community of lifelong learners who are kind and respectful. 

cmassimino@northstarcharter.org

Courtney Massimino is a native Idahoan born in Idaho Falls and completing her education from Boise State University, earning a degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education.

She has been a 1st grade teacher for over 20 years, 13 of them with North Star Charter, with a passion for teaching students how to read and write.  She strives to ensure the success of all the students in her class and firmly believes that setting goals, both personal and academic, leads to achievement at all levels in the classroom. 

Mrs. Massimino is married to a fellow Boise State alumni, Dan, and has two sons, Vincent (junior at BSU) and Xander (senior at Owyhee High School).  She loves hanging out with her boys and cheering on rival NFL teams, making for noisy weekends in her house!   

When she is not working, Mrs. Massimino loves to travel, camp, fish (she’s the best fisherperson in their house!), and spend time with her family. She LOVES being at North Star and is looking forward to another great year of learning!

sdrain@northstarcharter.org

Growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, Sheri Drain always aspired to become a teacher. She had a deep love for school and excelled in multiple sports, including volleyball, swimming, and track throughout her school years. Seeking a small-town atmosphere for her college experience, she chose to attend Northern Arizona University, where she earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education with an emphasis in Learning Disabilities.

After graduating, Sheri spent the next seven years teaching in the Phoenix area until her family relocated to the Boise area in 2002. Following the move, she was fortunate to stay home with her two young children until they reached school age, at which point she returned to the classroom. Committed to lifelong learning, she later earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.

With over 20 years of experience in elementary education, special education, and school administration, Sheri remains most passionate about working directly with students. She joined the North Star team in 2009 and continues to cherish her role, believing it to be the best school in Idaho. Sheri finds great joy in witnessing the excitement of students as they grow both socially and academically.

rfranks@northstarcharter.org

Rebecca Franks was born in Twin Falls Idaho. Her family moved to New Mexico for five years, and then to Utah where she graduated from Logan High School. She earned her undergraduate degree at Boise State University in Bilingual/ESL Elementary Education in 2002 and completed her student teaching in second grade and sixth grade in Nampa. In 2007, she earned her Master’s degree in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction and Bilingual Education. Rebecca has taught first, third, fourth, and fifth, and loves the challenge each one brings. Rebecca has spent many of her 24 years in the upper grades until moving to North Star and falling in love with second grade!

Rebecca has been married to the love of her life, Bryan, for almost 26 years and they have one daughter Abigail who keeps them very busy! The three of them stay very active together whether it’s fishing for bass on the Snake, or golfing, and racing BMX. When she isn’t busy chauffeuring Abigail to her races and competitions Rebecca loves to craft, sew, garden, cook, and read!

Rebecca is an incredibly passionate person. She believes that all children are capable of amazing things! She strives to create a cooperative classroom where students are challenged to do their best and be successful learners. She believes in creating independent creative thinkers and doers.

lholt@northstarcharter.org

Lisa Holt has lived in Eagle, Idaho since 1998.  She graduated from BYU Provo with her BA and recently earned her masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in mathematics.  She has been teaching at North Star since 2011 when she returned to teaching.  She has been in second grade and loves it so much.  She feels blessed and honored to be able to work in a community who loves education and works hard to do what is best for kids.  

She is a mother of four daughters and feels like she hit the jackpot with them.  She is a grandmother and hopes that number will keep growing.  She loves grandma time. She loves tennis, pickleball, paddle boarding, reading a good book and going to movies.  

She is looking forward to another great year at North Star Charter.  She believes each year is a new beginning and there is growth for all kids awaiting them.  She believes in making a good connection with each kid and strives hard for her students to feel safe so they can take risks and rise to their potential.  She tries hard to build a community within her classroom of mutual respect and admiration.  

teardley@northstarcharter.org

Originally from Utah, Mrs. Eardley brings a wealth of experience and a passion for teaching to her classroom. She earned her degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Brigham Young University and has spent over 25 years inspiring young learners across Utah, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Since 2011, she has been a proud member of the North Star community, where she loves helping 3rd graders build confidence, discover their potential, and grow both academically and personally. Her enthusiasm for teaching and dedication to her students make her classroom a place where learning is exciting and meaningful.

Outside of school, Mrs. Eardley enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband, Jared, have a daughter, Savannah, who is married to Michael. One of her greatest joys is being a grandmother to her fun-loving three-year-old granddaughter.

When she’s not in the classroom, you can find Mrs. Eardley reading a good book, baking delicious chocolate treats, playing games, or staying active. She also loves traveling—especially to her favorite destination, Disney World!

Mrs. Eardley is excited for another amazing year at North Star and can’t wait to make it a fun, successful, and memorable experience for her students.

jnewburn@northstarcharter.org

Jessica Newburn grew up in Eagle, Idaho. She went to college at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where she met and married her wonderful husband, Scott. Over the last 19 years they have lived all over the country and welcomed 5 kids into their family. Kayla and Jerrod will be at Rocky Mountain High School. Claire, Ava, and Ella are here at North Star. She loves spending time with her family outdoors, and watching her kids mountain bike, play soccer and basketball, run track, and participate in marching band.

In 2022, Jessica took a position at North Star as a kindergarten paraprofessional and fell in love with North Star and teaching. She decided to go back to school and earn her Master’s degree in teaching. Mrs. Newburn loves 3rd grade! She strives to create a classroom that is a kind community of learners where students can learn and grow in all areas. She is proud to be a Husky and wants all of her students to know they can do incredible things!

mpeik@northstarcharter.org

Maryann Peik was born and raised in San Diego, California. She completed a degree in Diversified Liberal Arts with an emphasis on English Language Learners from the University of San Diego in 2001. In 2017, the Peik family sought a change in pace and decided to make Eagle, Idaho, their home. After some time, Maryann chose to further her education, earning a Master’s Degree in Gifted and Talented Education from Grand Canyon University.

Maryann is an experienced teacher who has worked in various environments, but she feels most comfortable teaching 3rd grade. She finds that third-graders exhibit a natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Maryann is dedicated to creating a welcoming and secure classroom where students feel free to make mistakes and learn from them. She is excited to be returning to North Star Charter for her seventh year.

In her free time, Maryann enjoys traveling, visiting her two oldest daughters at college, and gardening. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, and they have three daughters: Hannah, a college senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Astrophysics at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania; Emma, a freshman at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy; and Nora, who is currently in the 8th grade here at North Star. Go Huskies!

janderson@northstarcharter.org

Born in Southern California, Jensa grew up with 5 siblings enjoying tons of family beach time. She was actively involved in basketball and volleyball growing up and even attempted coaching. She twirled baton, played piano and guitar, and enjoyed the outdoors through surfing and snowboarding.

Mrs. Anderson went to Utah State University where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education and met her husband of 24 years. She taught sixth grade English and Social Studies in Utah before moving back to Southern California. There she taught middle school science for two years then took a leave of absence from teaching to be home with her children full time. Her family settled into Idaho nineteen years ago and love calling this place home! She has three fantastic kids (ages 20, 17, and 14), all of whom attended North Star. She loves watching them grow into smart and kind humans. As a family they enjoy camping, white water rafting, fishing, traveling, and playing with their Griffon dog, Buck. When not with her family, Mrs. Anderson can be found reading, organizing, practicing photography, singing, or playing volleyball.

She has been working at North Star since 2017 and loves teaching 4th grade! Connecting with students and helping them love learning is her life’s passion. It’s going to be a remarkable year of growth!

aferrin@northstarcharter.org

mrodeghiero@northstarcharter.org

Mrs. Rodeghiero was born and raised on a ranch in Eastern Montana. She attended Montana State University in Bozeman, MT and moved to Boise, ID with her husband, Mark, in 1995. Mrs. Rodeghiero completed her Elementary education degree at BSU. 

For eight years, she taught second, third and finally fifth grade where she successfully team-taught part time with Casey Hawkins, North Star’s Elementary PE teacher.  During this time, she also earned a master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Idaho. Mrs. Rodeghiero took a break from teaching to stay at home with her son, Gavin, now twenty-two, who graduated high school from North Star, played on the NNU men’s golf team and now recently graduated college. She also has twins, Ivy and Royce, also graduates of North Star and will be attending BSU in the fall.  She team taught third grade for five years with Mrs. Leatherman, but decided to go back full time once all her kids were in school.  It was at this time that she decided to embark upon a new adventure in 4th grade where she has been ever since.  She loves being in the classroom!  Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, camping, and relaxing with a good book.

csears@northstarcharter.org

Carol Sears spent most of her life in Montana where she graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in psychology. She then furthered her education by receiving a master’s degree in Technology in Education through Lesley University. After teaching for 17 years in Montana, she moved to the wonderful state of Idaho.

Last year, Mrs. Sears was a paraprofessional in 3rd grade here at North Star. Working with the third graders was wonderful and showed her how much she loves teaching. Mrs. Sears has a passion for teaching, and every time a student has that “aha” moment, it fuels that passion. She looks forward to bringing that love of teaching to 4th grade this year.

Mrs. Sears is married to her husband, Dave. They have 2 sons, 3 grandsons, and a dog. In her free time, Mrs. Sears enjoys pickleball, reading, and bowling.

rapalategui@northstarcharter.org

Robin Apalategui has taught for over 10 years, and she is proud to be a North Star Husky. Mrs. Apalategui is excited to be teaching fifth grade this year! Before coming to North Star, she previously taught 4th grade (8 years), Second Grade (1 year), Sixth Grade (1 year) and Kindergarten (1year).

Mrs. Apalategui attended California State University, Fullerton, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Development and Education. Mrs. Apalategui is excited for fifth grade. She loves the 5th grade content and can’t wait to meet her students. She is highly motivated, enthusiastic and a dedicated educator who wants all children to be successful learners.

Mrs. Apalategui has a true passion for working with scholars and she is looking forward to her first year at North Star Charter! When Mrs. Apalategui is not in the classroom, she enjoys being with her

family. She has three children- Ariana, Nico, and Emma. She especially likes watching her children play sports- football, baseball, softball, soccer, cheerleading, and more! Mrs. Apalategui loves to be in the sun, enjoying the outdoors with her friends and family. She also enjoys making homemade ice cream and churros.

nbovis@northstarcharter.org

Mrs. Bovis was born in Las Vegas, NV and moved to Idaho when she was 6 years old. She attended her school years in Meridian, then moved to Moscow where she attended the University of Idaho. She graduated from U of I with a bachelors in Elementary Education and an endorsement in History. She will be finishing her last year of her Master’s Program in Educational Leadership at Boise State University, earning this degree in spring of 2027. This will be her fourth year teaching 5th grade at North Star, and her fifth year of teaching! Prior to North Star, Mrs. Bovis taught 3rd grade in Nampa, and student-taught 5th grade in the Boise School District.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Bovis can be found with her husband or her two beloved golden retrievers, Bentley and Bridger. She enjoys pilates, spending time with her family and friends, being outside, and traveling when she can! 

Mrs. Bovis has a passion for teaching and leading, continuously learning, and building connections with students and their families. She looks forward to another year at North Star!

tmichel@northstarcharter.org

Mrs. Tamara Michel grew up in Central California. After graduating high school, she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to pursue a career in law enforcement. Mrs. Michel worked in the field of law enforcement for 14 years. She graduated college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Studies from California State University, Long Beach and a teaching credential from California State University, Monterey Bay.

Mrs. Michel is married to her amazing husband, Art, and has two sons, Quinton and Mason. Quinton just graduated from BSU and is working hard in the real world. Mason is a junior at The College of Idaho working toward his degree and playing football. The Michel family’s trio of dogs (two female Boston terriers and a male rescue that strongly resembles Scooby Doo) are a huge part of their lives.

Mrs. Michel made the transition to teaching not long after her sons were born. Although she enjoyed the field of law enforcement, she felt education was a more prolific career to have while raising her children. This school year will be her 20th year teaching and her 8th year at North Star. Mrs. Michel has taught multiple ages ranging from first to seventh grade. She looks forward to an amazing year as a Husky!

shyde@northstarcharter.org

Sara Hyde is excited to join North Star as a fifth grade teacher and brings more than 10 years of teaching experience to the classroom. Passionate about teaching and empowering students to thrive, she looks forward to building meaningful relationships with students and families while creating engaging learning experiences that help every student grow with confidence. Mrs. Hyde holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education K–8 and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

Born and raised in the Treasure Valley area, Mrs. Hyde values community, connection, and lifelong learning. She has been married to her husband, Monty, for 25 years and is blessed with two wonderful daughters, Makayla and Alee, and a new granddaughter who brings so much joy to their family! When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors as much as possible, reading, and traveling. She is so excited to be a North Star Husky and looks forward to a wonderful school year together!

cbenton@northstarcharter.org

Growing up, Carrie was fortunate enough to have lived all over the United States and overseas. After graduating from high school in Idaho, she attended Boise State University. With a degree in psychology and a new husband, she decided to make Boise/Eagle her new home.

Carrie was excited to take on the role as North Star’s librarian in 2004. She loved the close-knit community and high achievement focus found at the school. A move to Tokyo, Japan with her family in 2009 necessitated her departure.

She continued her work in the library at the American School in Japan while she lived in Tokyo. The experience was life-changing and rewarding. After returning to Eagle in 2015, she was grateful to assume the role of North Star librarian once again.

Carrie is married to her wonderful husband Jeff and has a daughter in Austin, Texas and a son in Boise.  At one point in their education endeavors, all members of her family have graduated from Boise State University.  Go Broncos!

chawkins@northstarcharter.org

Mrs. Hawkins grew up in a rural town, Mariposa, California, just outside of Yosemite National Park. She has always been actively involved in sports and anything that has to do with the outdoors. Her love of children and passion for teaching have been with her since she was a young girl.

After graduating on the Dean’s List with a bachelor’s degree from Sacramento State and earning a teaching credential from Chapman University, Casey moved to Grandview, Idaho, in 1995.  She taught 2nd and 3rd  grade at Mountain Home AFB and migrant ed. during the summer months.  In 1997, she moved to Eagle and enjoyed 8 years of summer math tutoring and teaching 5th grade in West Ada.  Every position she has filled with passion and excitement.

When her three boys arrived into this awesome world, it was apparent that she needed to be at home more; however, as much as she loved being home, she also needed to keep her feet in the classroom. While getting her master’s degree in Administration, she also shared a 5th grade teaching contract for three years with Mrs. Mariah Rodeghiero, one of North Star’s amazing fourth grade teachers. This was an incredible opportunity that she thought she would enjoy until retirement … until she stepped foot into her first charter school.

Upon viewing what charter schools could offer students, immediately she knew it was part of her next phase of life. She was impressed and excited about working with a group of teachers that were all grounded in the same beliefs. She has spent twenty years successfully teaching 5th grade, 6th grade math and K–5 PE with some of her greatest friends at a charter school; her students’ enthusiasm towards learning and their ISAT scores prove that the method North Star has to offer is exceptional.

Casey has been married for twenty-five years to Dan Hawkins, retired Asst. Fire Chief at Mt. Home AFB. They have three handsome sons (ages 24, 22 1/2 and 21); all three attended and two graduated from North Star. Together they enjoy biking, snow skiing, waterskiing, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, swimming, jet-skiing, motorcycle riding, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She and Dan are now empty nesters, but life continues to be incredibly busy.

Casey has been teaching for 31 years, with 16 of those years being at NSCS.  This is her 6th year teaching K–5 PE.  She is excited to continue inspiring students to do their best and to try new sports. She’s looking forward to another great year!

hhurd@northstarcharter.org

Hailey Underkoffler was born and raised in Southern California. She attended Temecula Preparatory School and Great Oak High School in Temecula, California. Growing up, she spent most of her time exploring as many beaches as possible and watching hundreds of coastal sunsets. While she always had a love for music, this passion grew through her involvement in music programs at school and in the community. During her senior year of high school, after touring Boise State University, she knew it was the right place for her to live and pursue her college education.

Mrs. Underkoffler graduated from Boise State University in 2023, earning a degree in K–12 Music Education with a vocal emphasis and Dean’s List – High Honors. At BSU, she was an active member of programs such as Opera Theater, Vocal Jazz, and NAME (National Association for Music Educators). She spent her initial years as a music teacher in Mammoth Lakes, California, working as a general and vocal music educator. She is so excited to work with the student musicians of North Star Charter and to contribute to the thriving school community.

Mrs. Underkoffler loves to stay busy and dedicates her available time to performing/singing in the community, offering private voice lessons, arranging music, and organizing opportunities for her students. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her giant Bernese Mountain Dog, Boomer, and her incredible husband, Cody.

kmahaffey@northstarcharter.org

 Kristin Mahaffey is excited to continue serving the students and families of North Star as the K–8 School Counselor. In this role, she works closely with students, staff, and families to support the social, emotional, and academic growth of every learner. Partnering with our secondary counselor, she is committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment where students feel valued, connected, and empowered to succeed.

Helping students build resilience, develop healthy relationships, and navigate challenges is at the heart of her work. She believes that every child has unique strengths and is passionate about helping students discover their potential while cultivating kindness, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Outside of school, Kristin is the proud mother of two children and has been married to her husband for over twenty years. She is also pursuing licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) to further expand her ability to support children and families. Since joining North Star in 2018 as a paraprofessional, she has had the privilege of serving the school community in a variety of roles and is honored to continue supporting students in her role as school counselor.

dneufeld@northstarcharter.org​

Dede Neufeld grew up in Southern California, where her passion for education began early through tutoring and working with children in her community. She earned a degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Education and a minor in History from the University of Arizona Global Campus.

When her son, Lucas, was in fourth grade and her daughter, Allison, was entering kindergarten, Mrs. Neufeld and her husband, Jason, relocated their family to Idaho to be closer to relatives. She soon began working as a substitute teacher in the West Ada School District. One of her first long-term assignments was at Rocky Mountain High School, where she supported students in several special education programs. Through experiences like these, she discovered a passion for special education and student support services. She later served as a paraprofessional at Andrus Elementary and Heritage Middle School, where she worked alongside exceptional special education teams and further strengthened her commitment to helping students with diverse learning needs succeed.

In 2023, Mrs. Neufeld accepted a Resource Teacher position at Star Elementary School, where

she supported students in reading, writing, and math. Ready for a new chapter in her career, she was excited to discover an opportunity at North Star Charter School. She is thrilled to be joining the North Star community in Fall 2026 and looks forward to helping students build confidence, independence, and academic success.

ssaul@northstarcharter.org

Mrs. Saul  began her teaching career at a STEM school, where she discovered her love for teaching science—a subject she has always been drawn to. After eight wonderful years teaching kindergarten, she is now in her second year teaching Elementary Science. She loves helping kids discover the world around them and hopes to spark curiosity and a lifelong love of learning in her students.

Outside of school, you’ll find her working on home improvement projects, camping, traveling, cheering on her girls from the sidelines, or spending time with family and friends. She’s grateful to be part of the North Star community and looks forward to another exciting and rewarding school year.