Staff

Lindsey is a Research Professor in the College of Education and the Director of the Center for School Improvement & Policy Studies. She has been on faculty at Boise State University since 2014, founding the Initiative for Healthy Schools and securing more than $10 million in funding for education research projects. Lindsey’s training was in prevention science, psychology, public health and education. Currently, most of her work is focused on building partnerships with schools to create settings that support the physical, social, and emotional well-being of students and educators.

William H. Parrett has received international recognition for his work in school improvement related to children and adolescents who live in poverty. He has co-authored eleven books, the past three being best-sellers. He is a frequent speaker at international and national events. His work with state and regional educational organizations, districts, and schools, spans 46 states and 15 nations.

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Abbey Denton is the Associate Director for the Center for School Improvement & Policy Studies (CSI&PS) and has more than 10 years of experience working in Idaho education, beginning with her five year tenure at the Idaho State Department of Education in Federal Programs to her current work within CSI&PS supporting sponsored projects in the provision of technical assistance to participating K-12 schools in Idaho. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Boise State University and will graduate Spring 2021 with a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership.

Amanda has worked for the Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies since 2015, and has been the Accountant since 2017. In her current role, she reviews and reports financial data for each of the Center’s projects, and ensures accuracy and adherence to state and federal guidelines. Amanda is currently working towards a second Bachelors degree in Accounting.

Michelle Pancoast is an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Education within the Center of School Improvement and Policy Studies at Boise State University. Michelle has worked for CSI & PS since 2017. Michelle currently assists Researching Order of Teaching (ROOT) and Idaho Building Capacity (IBC). Michelle Pancoast has a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and is currently working on her Masters of Public Administration.

Rachel grew up on the Oregon coast and moved to Boise for college. She met her husband while in college and they are expecting a baby boy in July. Rachel enjoys playing sports, basketball and volleyball in particular, hiking and hosting barbeques in her backyard. Rachel supports several programs at the Center, including the Idaho Council on Economic Education, PREP Academy and the College of Education grants that are managed by the Center. Her job includes a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities, such as purchasing, contracts and event planning.

Yliana arrived at Boise State University and the Center for School Improvement (CSI&PS) in 2014. Yliana’s experience includes over 12 years of administrative support in academia in the State of Idaho. Yliana supports several programs at the CSI&PS, iSTEM Summer Institute which provides K-12 Idaho teacher professional development, Idaho Positive Behavior Network, Summer Academy, International Field Study Tours and other College of Education grants and projects managed by the Center. In her free time she enjoys spending time as a sports spectator, traveling, outdoor activities and home improvement projects.

David is a sophomore in the Honors College here at Boise State University, and provides web and graphic design services to the Center. He plans to graduate in 2022 with a major in Games, Interactive Media, and Mobile. He is also a music fan, and can be found both playing and watching shows around town with his band Downcoast. He hails from Portland, Oregon, and his “Keep Portland Weird” sensibilities have followed him to his current residence in Boise.