There’s A Teacher They’ll Remember
BY JENNIFER LIEBRUM
While graduates dominate the news this time of year, some of the people behind their successes quietly exited stage left, as well.
Wood River Middle School feted the departing with parties, retirement-specific T-shirts and well wishes—and some envy—last week. Among them are Sheila Naghsh, Steve Lalone, Patrick Kinney and Kristy Vandenburg, who shared some memories and pearls of wisdom as they ran as fast as they could for the exit Friday.
Sheila Naghsh – 30 Years Social Studies Teacher
Sheila is proud to have served our community for the past 30 years as a teacher and a coach. She notes that it shows some serious “staying power.”
She is also proud of the leadership roles she held during her years with the Blaine County School District: sixth-grade team leader, ski program director (early years), Environmental School director, junior counselor recruiter, and high school JV girls soccer coach.
Naghsh is grateful to the Blaine County School District for giving her this wonderful opportunity when she was just a youngster, and to her awesome colleagues, and to former principal Fritz Peters for his many years of support and guidance.
She noted that she has been the teacher of many former students’ children, and has taught multiple siblings within families, which by itself was pretty amazing. But one of her greatest memories was having the majority of the Sun Valley Suns Peewee Hockey Team in her class in 1998.
At that time, teachers hand-placed students in classes for the following year. Due to her love of sports, especially hockey, most of her colleagues thought she would be a good fit for the high-energy boys. One of those “peewees” grew up to coach her son and his Sun Valley Suns team. He led them to a national championship, which will always be a prized memory. Future plans are still up in the air, but she hopes to travel, have fun and not be a guest teacher.
Steve Lalone – 24 Years Head Custodian
Lalone started working at BCSD in July 2000. He was proud to keep the building and grounds at Wood River Middle School looking good—even earning compliments from students and staff.
He has loved having kids say hi to him in the hallways, classrooms, and cafeteria over the years. “Dancing” at the talent show last year and falling off the stage to the roar of the crowd was a career highlight. “It also felt so good to put the snowblower away for the last time,” he said.
His future plans include: moving back to New England, continuing to travel the world, lots of hiking and biking, volunteering and maybe taking an art or foreign language class at a local community college.
Patrick Kinney – 16 Years Reading/Language Arts Teacher
Kinney started working for the Blaine County School District as a Special Education paraprofessional during the 2009-2010 school year. He worked to become a certified teacher and was hired at Wood River Middle School, where he’s been a Reading Specialist and RTI coordinator from 2012–2025.
He notes that, as a teacher, he’s tried his best to encourage and validate his students as they grow as literate thinkers. And as an RTI coordinator, he tried to foster respectful communication and cooperation amongst his colleagues. To the extent that he achieved these things, he is proud of his accomplishments.
Kinney’s greatest memory of working as an educator will be the opportunity to play a meaningful role in our community and in the lives of young people. He said that the individual moments of gratitude are numerous.
Future plans include: being present for his family in Idaho, Oregon, and California and reflecting on the many gifts his time with BCSD has offered him while finding new paths to follow.
Kristi Vandenberg – 14 years Special Ed Paraprofessional
Vandenberg spent 2004–2018 as a middle school volleyball coach, 2019–2021 as the assistant varsity volleyball coach and 2011–2025 as Special Education Paraprofessional.
She loved being able to connect with so many students throughout the years. From coaching her own children and other athletes, to working with all the exceptionally gifted children of this Valley, she has so many great memories from her time at BCSD.
Future plans include: enjoying some free time and being able to travel to see family.
