Libbi Barrett, Assistant Superintendent
This week, Coeur d'Alene High School Principal Libbi Barrett was named Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education and Curriculum for Coeur d’Alene Public Schools. Libbi has over 24 years of experience working in public education, including serving as Principal of CHS the past two years and Assistant Principal there the previous four years.
Next week she will join Dr. Shon Hocker, Superintendent, and Patty Morrison, the new Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education and Instruction, heading the school district's senior leadership team.
“We are excited to have Libbi join us. She brings a connection to this district that will be very beneficial,” Superintendent Hocker said. “Her ambition and dedication to student success will complement the district as we move forward with our strategic plan.”
“Coeur d’Alene is an amazing community that supports its public schools. I am grateful for this level of support and am excited to continue to serve the staff and students of Coeur d’Alene Public Schools in a different capacity,” Libbi said. “My six years as an administrator at Coeur d’ Alene High School have been an unforgettable and amazing experience. The students, staff and families at CHS have taught me so much, and I consider it a personal and professional privilege to have worked beside them at CHS. I look forward to continuing to serve CHS and all secondary schools.”
She added, “Secondary students are in an exciting time of development -- somewhere between childhood and adulthood. I am dedicated to championing all students in meaningful, effective and impactful ways in order to graduate informed contributors who are citizen-ready. I celebrate the work of our District and secondary administrators and know the best is yet to come for our children.”
Libbi previously worked as a teacher or principal in the Coeur d'Alene, Lakeland, West Bonner, Moscow and Evergreen (Washington) school districts. She attended the University of Idaho, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
In her spare time, Libbi enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with her family and kayaking on Lake Pend Oreille.
The district will immediately begin the search process for the next CHS principal.
Patty Morrison, Assistant Superintendent
On June 22 we announced that our new Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education and Instruction will be Patty Morrison, an administrator in the Lakeland School District for the past 10 years. Patty has served as Director of Federal Programs in the Lakeland district since 2013, and was administrator of the Lakeland Online Academy this past school year.
Patty will join Assistant Superintendent Libbi Barrett and Superintendent Shon Hocker starting next week.
“We are excited about Patty’s hiring and eager for her to join our team,” Dr. Hocker said. “Her varied experience in 30 years with the Lakeland School District, from elementary teacher to instructional coach to principal and district administrator, will be a great addition to Coeur d’Alene Public Schools.”
“I'm honored to be chosen to join Coeur d’Alene Public Schools and work with the amazing people within this district,” Patty said. “I can't wait to meet the staff, students, and families and bring my service and care to this great community.”
She continued, “To me, elementary schools are a wonderful part of childhood where our kids learn about their community, the world around them, and also about themselves. I will help maintain the focus I have noticed that exists in Coeur d’Alene that all children must feel safe and that they belong. I will enjoy partnering with all of the dedicated people here, including families, to help create the most amazing learning and childhood experiences possible for students to learn at high levels. I truly understand the heart of a parent and all of the important learning that happens in schools. I feel so lucky to be joining a place with outstanding elementary schools.”
While directing all Title programs for the Lakeland district, Patty also created a K-8 online school to meet the needs of families during the pandemic. She also created the district’s Transitional Learning Program in 2018 to respond to the highest needs of students with behavioral difficulties across six elementary schools. She previously worked as an elementary school principal, instructional coach, and elementary teacher in the Lakeland district.
She attended the University of Idaho, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
A lifelong resident of North Idaho, Patty lives near Coeur d’Alene with her husband of 30 years. She shared that she is incredibly proud of her two adult children, and she enjoys traveling around the Pacific Northwest, boating on Lake Coeur d’Alene, and reading a good book while her husband fishes.
Shon Hocker, Superintendent
"We believe the background Dr. Hocker brings with his prior experience will continue forward progress on our Portrait of a Graduate and the timelines established under our strategic plan," Board Chair Jennifer Brumley said. "We also believe he will have trusting and solid relationships with staff and this community for years to come. The Board looks forward to great things to come under Dr. Hocker’s leadership.”
“I am hopeful to continue to build upon the excellence that Coeur d'Alene Public Schools has come to represent. Coeur d’Alene appears to be a great place to live and work, and a wonderful place to raise a family." Dr. Hocker said. "I have always believed that public education, when done well, provides an opportunity to meet each student where they are and move them forward to their path of promise and opportunity. Now, more than ever, we are learning new ways of teaching, new ways of operating, and new ways of becoming better, with the focus of helping ALL students succeed. I look forward to this journey with each of you.”
Dr. Hocker has been Superintendent of Dickinson Public Schools since 2018. The district has 4,500 students and 650 staff. Prior to that he was Superintendent of the Big Horn School District in Cowley, Wyoming, from 2007 to 2018. In 2016 he was named Wyoming Superintendent of the Year. From 2004 to 2007 he was principal of Shelley High School in Shelley, Idaho.
He received his doctorate in educational leadership from Idaho State University in 2016; and his master’s degree from ISU in 1999.
Eric Davis, Human Resources Director
In February we announced the hiring of Eric Davis as Director of Human Resources, following the retirement of Kelly Ostrom after 33 years with Coeur d’Alene Public Schools.
An HR professional with experience in both educational and private-sector settings, Eric joined our team March 1. He worked as Development Director for a private charter school for 9 years, and for the past 12 years has worked as Employee Relations Manager for a large agribusiness in California’s Central Valley. Eric has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
Stay Connected
Email: info@cdaschools.org
Website: www.cdaschools.org
Location: 1400 N. Northwood Center Court
Phone: (208) 664-8241
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Twitter: @cdaschools