President (Acting)

marcel.leblanc@kootenaiclassical.org

Through his twenty-five years of military service, Mr. LeBlanc brings to the board his extensive professional experience in leadership, organization, and community relationships. Moreover, Mr. LeBlanc shares with his fellow board members his passion for classical education and understands its importance for our nation’s future.

Treasurer

renee.burgess@kootenaiclassical.org

Mrs. Burgess has extensive professional experience in banking, finance, accounting, and human resource management, and has spent much of her career in business administration for both private and public K-12 schools. She is pleased to join this effort to bring a classical education alternative to Idaho students, and is looking forward to assisting the founding board in her areas of expertise.

Secretary

Rachel is a college professor, and the mother of four terrific kids who collectively attended eight schools in Coeur d'Alene. Dr. Kaitz is passionate about starting a free, public school that offers the academic rigor and athletic success of the area's best private and public schools with the aim of fostering self-governing, well-rounded young adults. As their children entered college, three daughters chose to attend Hillsdale, a liberal arts college in Southern Michigan. It was then that the Rachel and her husband gathered an incredible board, partnered with Hillsdale and began the grueling work necessary to create a classical charter school in Post Falls. The effort took years, and the project faced many setbacks and challenges. With every obstacle, the board grew more determined and pulled tightly together to make possible another educational option for our local kids. Seeing KCA families form a new community of curious, happy learners is a dream come true. Rachel hopes this special school will always stay true to its mission and serve North Idaho families for generations to come.

Secretary

robby.miles@kootenaiclassical.org

Mr. Miles is an Idaho licensed social studies teacher. For more than a decade teaching US Government, History, & Geography and nearly a decade as a US Army Logistics Officer he gained and taught an appreciation for the importance of civic virtue, the quest for truth, and the value of classical education. Robert is now now an operations and marketing consultant. His time with students in the classroom, experience in strategic planning, and marketing skill set serve the founding board as we develop our long range vision and community outreach plans to bring classical education to North Idaho.

Director

michael.burgess@kootenaiclassical.org

Mr. Burgess has lent his organizational knowledge and experience to multiple boards and private organizations. He has a deep appreciation of the value of a classical education, and is happy to contribute to the effort to make this option more available to area students.

Director

kirsten.leblanc@kootenaiclassical.org

Mrs. LeBlanc is an Educator at LeRod Academy in Sandpoint, Idaho. She has home-educated four of her five children from kindergarten through 12th grade. She opened and directed a Classical Conversations campus in Lexington Park, Maryland, which exceeded capacity each year under her leadership. She later transitioned into directing Classical Conversations' middle and high school programs. After moving to Idaho, she has continued directing and tutoring for Classical Conversations, and also co-opened a middle and high school co-op, LeRod Academy, last year. Kirsten brings elementary, middle, and high school teaching experience and educational administrative skills to KCA.

Director

ben.kettle@kootenaiclassical.org

“I committed myself to the idea that became Kootenai Classical Academy following a call from Dr. Kaitz. My appreciation for classical literature, philosophy, and ideas was sparked during Dr. Kaitz's courses, significantly influencing my life. Recognizing the power of these texts and driven by my passion for the community in North Idaho, I eagerly embraced the opportunity to contribute to a future where our area's youth can flourish through them.”

(Bio coming soon!)