cgriffin@northstarcharter.org

Catherine Griffin has taught special education in Idaho for more than 15 years in programs from preschool through community adult learning opportunities. Experiences include teaching in high school alternative programs, middle school therapeutic learning center (TLC), structured learning programs for children who live with autism, and programs that use sign language and ABA strategies as a certified Behavioral Interventionist / Habilitative Therapist. She has worked as a Director of Special Education since 2012, English Language Coordinator and GT Facilitator since 2017.

Ms. Griffin received a B.A. in Anthropology, an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, and is certified to teach secondary social studies. In 2007, she received an M. Ed. in Special Education after pursuing an interest in twice-exceptional students from Boise State University. She supports inclusion, differentiation, and teaching literacy through content instruction and has teaching endorsements in special education K-12; literacy, gifted and talented facilitation, as well as English language development (ESL).

Ms. Griffin also graduated from Northwest Nazarene University with an Education Specialist degree in Leadership with a focus on Special Education Administration in 2017. Ms. Griffin embraces all opportunities to continue pursuits as a lifelong learner and encourages her students to adopt a “growth mindset”, persevere through personal challenges, individual difficulty, and challenges all students to pursue their dreams. Her own dream job as a special education teacher is a never-ending story that makes her feel blessed to share joy in the lives of North Star families and help children identify their strengths and talents.

She has two adult children and likes to go hiking, canoeing, work in her garden, spend time exploring the natural areas in the Pacific Northwest and especially trips to the Pacific coastline. She has an international cosmopolitan worldview, lived in  Central America for several years, and is looking forward to the opportunity to return in the future to improve her Spanish.

Ms. Griffin is excited to continue teaching at North Star and serve students, families, and staff through her commitment of student learning through beauty, ingenuity, and peace. One favorite quote by Margret Mead demonstrates her ideals, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

kowen@northstarcharter.org

Kendyl Owen was born in Eugene, OR and moved to the Boise area when she was in the 3rd grade. She graduated from Lewis-Clark State College in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Shortly after graduating, she returned home to Boise and started working at North Star as a Special Education Paraprofessional. Miss Owen quickly realized her passion was in the education field and returned to school to complete her teaching credentials. She graduated from Boise State University in 2020 with her Master’s in Teaching Special Education. She came into her teaching role with a great amount of experience with children with disabilities. She has a sister who has Autism and serves as her greatest inspiration in life. Miss Owen has also spent time as a developmental therapist, youth development professional, and a long-time nanny.

When she is not at North Star, she enjoys spending quality time with her friends & family, trying new recipes, or hiking the foothills with her 4-year-old golden retriever, Huntley. Miss Owen is so excited to continue her career at North Star, seeing that it is the very place where she found her passion for teaching!