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About the Academy

academic Team

James R. Pannell
Academic Director

Jim began his academic career concentrating on special needs youth, and developing programs for their success. He has held leadership positions in various public and private schools in Utah, Vermont, and Idaho. He has enjoyed working with the professional staff and leadership team at Northwest Academy since 2006. His years of experience working with families and teens continue to bring vision to Northwest Academy's integrated personal growth and academic curriculum.

He received his B.S. in Special Education from Utah State University and his Masters in Education Leadership from the University of Idaho.

Jim's passion for both sports and academics are represented at Northwest Academy. He believes the discipline which team sports can teach is intertwined with successful academics. He has coached basketball, both girls and boys, most of his academic career. Jim's outdoor interests are scuba diving, fishing, hiking, boating, and flying his Cessna 182 over the beautiful mountains and valleys over North Idaho.

Devorah McIntosh
Director of Post Secondary Planning

Devorah holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Arts in Counseling, and a Master's of Education in Educational Leadership.

After holding the position of Academic Director for five years, Devorah has narrowed her focus to dedicate herself to our students post secondary planning needs. As the full time Director of Post Secondary Planning, she is able to walk through the entire college preparation planning process with students, beginning with interest inventories and SAT/ACT prep courses and ending with college acceptance letters. In our unique atmosphere which specializes in older adolescents, she passionately believes academic success plays a significant part in students' sense of self-worth and accomplishment, allowing students to move toward contributing in a meaningful way to the world in which they will live as young adults. Nothing excites her more than seeing the students be successful here at the Academy, with a solid plan to continue their education. Prior to Northwest, Devorah worked both as a school counselor and assistant principal in the public high school for 15 years.

In her free time, Devorah enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, running, or being curled up with a good book.

Scott Victorson
Personal Fitness, Health, Leadership, Outdoor Education

From Michigan, Scott is most passionate about the outdoors, personal health, and fitness. Scott received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Outdoor Recreation, and completed a NOLS program with a degree in Leadership. He then returned to school to complete his teacher certification.

Scott's energy and enthusiasm can be seen from a mile away. He brings a committment to improving the health and fitness of our students, has provided strength training and aerobics classes, and health. He brings his two children to work every day - German short-hairs by the name of Brigs and Otto. He enjoys just about any outdoor activity, listening to music, being with his family, and interacting with the students at NWA.

Dwayne Davis
Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus

Dwayne makes math fun. Many students who have been exasperated with having to grind through math, find that with Dwayne, they enjoy the process.

Dwayne has done many things in his life - construction, postal worker, excavation and paving where he created and implemented computer programs, but his passion has always been teaching. He is very talented at individualizing students' classes to benefit each student. He also has his trust side-kick, "Bubba" which is his beagle who is perennially on a diet.

When he is not teaching and telling jokes, Dwayne enjoys bow hunting, skiing, reading, and dancing. His biggest joy is watching the growth of each student as he or she advances through the program.

Roy D. Reynolds
Social Studies Teacher

Roy brings a wealth of education and professional experience to our academic team. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary's College of Maryland, where he studied History and also spent time at Oxford University studying at the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Roy finished his Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision through Bowie State University.

Roy has over 12 years of experience as a high school principal and spent eight years teaching prior to becoming an administrator. He has volunteered on various task forces including: drop out prevention, minority student achievement, and curriculum development. Roy says that his passion has always been for at-risk youth. Roy has received numerous awards including: The Mayor and City Council's Spirit of Portland Award, 2004, Optimist Club Achievement in Education Award, 1990, McDonald's Ray A. Kroc Teacher Award, 1990, Great Mills High School Golden Apple Award, 1988, 1989, 1997, 1999, St. Mary's College of Maryland Student Government Award, 1985, John R. Petrucelli Memorial Award, 1984.

Of all his achievements Roy is most proud of his two highly intelligent, beautiful daughters. Roy moved to Sandpoint during the winter of 2009/2010 where he began building a cabin on 20 acres while living in a tent. Roy says that he finds peace of mind on the mountain. His other major hobbies include being a news junkie, "If I allow myself, I could watch Cable News and C-Span 12-16 hours a day," and keeping up with his numerous community involvements.

Allison Evertz
English Teacher

Allison Evertz studied in Costa Rica and New Zealand, and then began her career as a teacher on a Native American Indian Reservation. From there, she taught in places such as Bozeman, Montana, Red Lodge, Montana and Torreon, Mexico. She currently lives outside of Sandpoint, Idaho with her husband and two young children. When not teaching, she enjoys rock and ice climbing, and traveling with her family. Originally, she hails from Traverse City, Michigan, but has lived mainly in the inland northwest for the last twenty years. Allison maintains a Master's Degree in Education, and a Bachelor's Degree in English. She is certified to teach K-12, and is excited to be part of the Northwest Academy's exemplary team.

Brenda Walter
Reading and Writing Tutor & Substitute

After retiring from 33 years of full time teaching and administration, Brenda's years of experience brings a wealth of enrichment to our campus. Brenda has created an epiphany for most all of our students; it truly is your son or daughter carrying around Dostoyevsky, Dumas, Steinbeck, and philosophy, etc. and getting excited about what they are reading. She has created a culture of learning, and her classroom is an inviting, cozy environment for students.

Brenda holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Secondary Education - English from Arizona State University, and is a certified Secondary Reading Specialist. She brings 33 years of teaching and administrative experience to our school, having taught as well as act as curriculum and testing coordinator, and developing extensive curriculum for the Idaho school districts.

Brenda brings all of her passion for literature, and is gifted in transferring this love to students. In her spare time Brenda enjoys spending time with her family, and is an avid gardener.

Paul Rawlings
Librarian/Tutor

Both a parent and a grandparent, Paul is sensitive to experience of the family as a while and brings a great deal of empathy to his work at Northwest Academy.

Books, of course, play a major role in our librarian's life. He owned and operated the local bookstore for many years and still scouts for the current proprietor. In addition to reading, music and movies occupy important roles in what Paul considers his ongoing education. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts and double majored in American Literature and Modern History, as well as a Master of Arts in Communications Theory.

Paul also enjoyed a long tenure as a writer, including stints as a newspaper columnist; a contributing editor to Oh Idaho, a state magazine; and as a playwright, having directed several of his own works among the more than twent stage productions he has mounted using local actors.

Paul has lived in Boundary County, Idaho for almost thirty years, the last fifteen in a home he built with his own hands. Previously, he spent three years at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, as a professor of composition, literature, and communications theory, as well as four years in Boise and Bonners Ferry High Schools teaching senior English and Journalism.

"It isn't always easy with these kids, but it keeps me young and I love their energy, their humor and their zeal."

Jeannie McGary
Registrar

Jeannie is the hub of the academic department, treating students and staff alike with warmth, friendliness, and supreme efficiency. She loves seeing our students grow, and seeks every opportunity to provide them with the tools necessary to meet with success.

Jeannie brings with her a wealth of experience in working with the public through the job service division for the state of Montana, and was also instrumental in creating a full-service mental health clinic for the town of Bonenrs Ferry. Jeannie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

When not working at school, she is hard at work at home, finishing her house with her husband, and being with her children and many grandchildren. She loves outdoor sports and gardening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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