08/17/2026
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year!
I hope you have had a wonderful summer filled with quality time with family and friends. As we prepare for another exciting year of learning and growth, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our students and families. I am thrilled to begin another school year with the Bulldog community.
For those who may not know me, my name is Amanda Hall, and I am honored to serve as your child's principal for my fifth year. I have been an educator in Idaho Falls School District 91 for the past 18 years and have greatly enjoyed being part of such an outstanding district.
Building strong relationships with students, families, and our community is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. I firmly believe that every student can achieve their highest potential and our dedicated staff is committed to providing meaningful learning opportunities that support each child's success. Outside of school, I am the proud mother of twin daughters who inspire me to learn and grow every day. Our family enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, traveling, and making memories with family and friends.
I look forward to continuing to get to know each of you and working together to make this school year a successful and memorable one.
Please join me in welcoming our new teachers!
Nicole Killpack – 1st Grade- Hi! I’m Nicole Killpack, and I’m excited to be joining the first-grade team at Ethel Boyes Elementary this year! While this is my first year as a classroom teacher, Ethel Boyes has been home to me for the past nine years as a Title I tutor. During that time, I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful students and help them grow in both reading and math. I’m excited to take on this new role and get to know a whole new group of first graders and their families. A little about me outside of school: I was born and raised in Utah and have been married to my husband, Jeremy, for 27 years. We have one daughter, who just got married this summer. I love traveling, reading, spending time in the mountains, and especially spending time with my husband and family. I can’t wait to meet my students and their families and get started on a great year together.
Kiley Christensen – 2nd Grade-Hi! My name is Kiley Christensen, and I am so excited to begin my first year teaching second grade! I have been in education for seven years as a special education teacher, and I’m looking forward to this new adventure. When I’m not teaching, I love spending time with my family, traveling, camping, and reading. I am so excited to get to know your children, help them learn and grow, and make this a wonderful year together!
Courtney Knox – 3rd Grade-Hi, my name is Mrs. Knox. I graduated from Utah Valley University and have been teaching for six years, with experience teaching kindergarten, 1st grade, and 3rd grade. I recently moved from Utah, and I am so excited to teach here! A few fun facts about me are that I love to read; I have two cats named Betty Boo and Juniper, and fall is my favorite season. I’m excited to get to know my students and have a fun year of learning together!
Dallan Neumeyer – 5th Grade-Hi! My name is Dallin Neumeyer. This is my first year of teaching and I am so excited to be able to join the team in 5th grade at Ethel Boyes! I did my student teaching in 5th grade as well and loved every minute. I am originally from Mesa, Arizona, but came to Idaho for schooling and have since established a family here in Idaho Falls. My favorite things to do out of school are video games, sewing, and being a dad. I cannot wait to have a great time with you all!
Heather Burke – 5th Grade-Hi my name is Heather Burke, and this will be my first-year teaching 5th grade at Ethel Boyes. I have been in classrooms for over ten years in different capacities. I have taught 3rd and 4th grade and am excited to teach 5th grade this year. When I'm not teaching, I love redoing furniture, crafting, working on projects around our three acres, reading, and spending time with my family. I am very excited to meet all my new 5th graders. It's going to be a great year.
Ryan Garrick – 6th Grade-Hello! My name is Ryan Garrick and this will be my first year as a sixth-grade teacher at Ethel Boyes! I’ve been in education for about 2 years, teaching second grade, PASS Program, and helping as a reading instructor. Outside of school, I love traveling, spending time with my family, listening to & playing music, and being outdoors. A fun fact about me: I’ve visited 19 of the 50 U.S. states, and my goal is to visit all 50 someday! I’m so excited for the 2026-2027 school year; let’s make it the best one yet!
Deana Graham – 6th Grade-Hi everyone my name is Deana Graham and this will be my first year teaching 6th grade here at Ethel Boyes. I have been teaching for almost 18 years and have taught almost every grade K-12 in some way through both general and special education. I'm a big lover of all sports, but baseball is my favorite! Billy Beane said it best when he said, "How can you not be romantic about baseball!" When I am not chauffeuring my two kiddos from one sport practice/game or activity to another I love to spend my time crafting and reading! One fun fact about me is that for each of the past 4 years I have read and/or listened to (because audio books count) over 175 books!
Chris Reed – 6th Grade- Hi, I am honored to be your child's 6th grade teacher this year. This is my first year teaching full time at Ethel Boyes, and I could not be more excited to be part of this amazing school community. Before becoming a teacher, I proudly served in the United States Navy. After my military service, I served our community as a police officer and also worked as a firefighter and EMT. I continue to coach youth football and high school football because I love helping young people build confidence, character, and teamwork. Those same values of respect, hard work, kindness, and perseverance are at the heart of my classroom. My wife, Jessica, and I have three children, and they all keep us busy with sports. Honestly, sports are a big part of our lives and that is pretty much what we do as a family. When I do find a little free time, I enjoy coaching, playing golf, and, believe it or not, I have recently discovered a love for reading. I believe every student has the ability to succeed, and my goal is to create a classroom where students feel safe, supported, challenged, and excited to learn every day. I look forward to partnering with you to make this a memorable and successful school year for your child. Thank you for trusting me with your student. I cannot wait for an incredible year together.
Ashlynn Banks – Stepping Stones-Hello! My name is Ashlynn Banks, and I am the new Stepping Stones teacher housed here at Ethel Boyes. I have an extensive background in Autism in both my personal and professional life, most recently serving as an Autism Consultant for an Education Service District in Douglas County, Oregon. I am a wife and mom to three girls, though I was once a surrogate, and that tiny human was a boy, so, no, I will not be trying for a boy. 🩵 I am also an animal lover and will often choose to stay home with my dogs and kids rather than go out. Though my path to becoming an educator might look different from others’, I know I am where I am meant to be and can't wait for an amazing year! ☺️
Leah Martinez-Resource Room-Hi, I never imagined I would become a teacher, but after homeschooling my two boys, I discovered how much I truly loved teaching. My youngest son has a learning disability, and being part of his educational journey was such a special and rewarding experience. It inspired me to pursue a career in Special Education so I could help other students grow, learn, and feel confident in their abilities. Outside of school, I enjoy traveling with my family, reading, and gardening. I’m looking forward to getting to know my students and their families and am so excited for a wonderful school year!
We are excited to share an additional staffing update for the upcoming school year. Mrs. Ralston has moved to second grade, and Mrs. Knox will be joining our third-grade team and taking over Mrs. Ralston’s third-grade classroom.
We are excited about these changes and look forward to the continued growth and success of both our students and staff!
Back-to-School Night
We invite all families to attend our Back-to-School Night on Monday, August 24th, from 5:30–7:00 p.m.
This event will be held in an open-house format and provides an opportunity for students and families to:
Visit classrooms
Meet teachers and staff
Drop off school supplies
Learn about classroom expectations
Connect with our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
There are many ways to become involved in our school community, whether through classroom volunteering, helping in the library, making copies, assisting with special events, or sharing your unique talents and skills. We encourage everyone to find a way to participate and support our students.
If you are unable to attend in person, please contact your child's teacher to arrange an alternative way to receive this important information.
The first day of school is August 25th. Important School Reminders
Breakfast is served beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The first bell rings at 8:55 a.m.
There is no late start schedule.
Every Friday is an early-release day. Students will be dismissed at 2:05 p.m.
Our weekly early-release schedule allows teachers to collaborate as a Professional Learning Community (PLC) and engage in ongoing professional learning focused on best practices that support student achievement and growth.
Please review the attached district calendar for additional important dates and school events throughout the yearhttps://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1777988279/ifschoolsorg/kk7vzj7omtlzoakk6qrc/2026_05_04SchoolCalendarENGLISH2026-2027toPost.pdf
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. On behalf of our entire staff, we are excited to welcome students back and look forward to an incredible year ahead.
Enjoy the remainder of your summer break. We can't wait to see you soon!
Warm regards,
Amanda Hall, Ethel Boyes Principal
