Meet Stefany Bales, born and raised across the glorious Rocky Mountain West. Stefany has a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Elmira College in New York and a Master of Science in a mash-up of cool communications and policy stuff from the University of Idaho — go Vandals! Stefany has been a Coeur d'Alene resident since 1997. She has spent 26 years in her communications, marketing and public affairs career. Stefany is a middle sister and the mother of the best daughter ever. She is a lover of the arts, old books, white wine, open spaces, Van Halen, any free-flowing water, strong coffee, dark chocolate and cute but unnecessary shoes. Grateful for amazing friends near and far, and for a wonderful family.

1) When did you join the Coeur d'Alene School District 271 team, and what drew you to the job?

I joined the district as director of community relations in April 2023. I was looking for an organization where the mission is critical, the work is hard and rewarding and the people are smart, dedicated and agile. District 271 had what I was looking for — work environments that encourage people to be brave and set ambitious goals, make space for failure as a learning tool and value collaboration are the best places to be. These ecosystems are vital to organizational success and I try to help build them wherever I am.

2) What are you most looking forward to this school year?

Working alongside our students, parents, teachers and staff to develop new and creative ways to meaningfully connect with our community; strengthening our existing partnerships and building new ones; showing up for those who support us and those who need us; and improving transparency in ways that matter to our stakeholders. Our strategic focus is to improve student achievement and success, which our community also wants us to prioritize. Getting our students where they need to be will take all of us working together.

3) Why does public education matter, and what benefit does it have for our community?

"Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one." — Malcolm Forbes

No matter where we’re from or how we see the world, education has the power to open our minds to new perspectives and hold space for ideas and views other than our own. Public schools provide access to education for all kids, regardless of socio-economics, race, religion or gender. They provide students with opportunities to achieve based on their abilities and efforts rather than their birth circumstances. Kids who attend public schools come out ready to go to college or vocational school, enter the workforce or travel some other productive path. All kids need skills and knowledge to successfully navigate the adult world, with their hearts and minds open. Public education provides those things.

4) What's something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I was a Dead Head in college. What a long, strange trip it’s been.

5) Who was your favorite teacher and what lesson did they teach you?

Mrs. Matzinger, my second grade teacher at Irving Elementary in Bozeman, Mont. I was the new kid that year as we had just moved to Bozeman from Moscow, Idaho. I was shy, awkward and not sure how to fit in. Mrs. Matzinger was kind, gentle, encouraging, funny and helped me navigate all the terrifying things a second grader faces. She helped me feel less afraid so I could learn. We moved twice more before I graduated high school in Colorado. I had many inspiring teachers along the way, but none that made me feel as safe and confident as Mrs. Matzinger when I was 8. Hope she is well somewhere out there.

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Do you know someone in Kootenai County who makes our community awesome? Send Fast Five suggestions to Devin Weeks, dweeks@cdapress.com, to highlight locals who contribute their time and talents to make North Idaho such a special place.