New educators in the Coeur d'Alene region received a warm welcome Wednesday evening at the 2026 New Educators Reception before a crowd of colleagues.

"We're here to support you. You're not on an island," said Coeur d'Alene School Board member and Regional Chamber board member Rick Rasmussen in his opening remarks at the Human Rights Education Institute. "We appreciate what you do."

The New Educators Reception is an annual event hosted by the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber Education Committee. New educators and administrators at regional public schools, alternative schools and colleges are invited to network and introduce themselves over drinks and snacks.

"I think it's a great way to kick off the year and show our educators they are supported by the community," said Superintendent Shon Hocker.

After welcome remarks, new educators introduced themselves.

Among them was Connor Schlicter, a fourth-grade teacher at Hayden Meadows Elementary School. Schlicter recently moved to Idaho after working as a substitute teacher in Spokane. This is his first teaching job with his own classroom.

"It's been a lot of learning, it's been really fun," Schlicter said. "If it wasn't for my team, I would be so lost. I think one of the great things about Hayden Meadows is that each grade has their own team and for us newbies coming in, we're able to ask questions and get help whenever we need it."

He said he is grateful for the opportunity the New Educators Reception provides to meet fellow teachers and swap stories.

"It's comforting to know that we're all in the same boat, and we can bounce ideas off each other," Schlicter said.

Grace Robinson, an honors physics and honors physical science teacher at Coeur d'Alene High School, is another new educator who recently moved from Washington. She said she has found the Coeur d'Alene community very welcoming.

"It's been extra community-oriented," Robinson said. "The students are so sweet, I genuinely love my students, they are so fun. The other teachers all want to get to know each other and see each other outside of work."

Both Schlicter and Robinson said they are looking forward to the rest of the school year and spoke highly of their students.

"Hayden Meadows has a lot of bright students," Schlicter said. "The kids want to be there, and they want to learn. Because of that, we're able to give them a lot of challenges when it comes to learning."

During the event, new educators also heard advice from 2026 Coeur d'Alene Schools Educator of the Year Nickie Wilson and 2026 Lakeland Joint School District Educator of the Year Jodie DeVore.

DeVore, a kindergarten teacher at Garwood Elementary School, planned her remarks with the assistance of her students. Prior to the event, DeVore asked her students, "What makes a great teacher?" She shared their responses with the new educators along with her own teaching advice.

"Add your sparkle," DeVore said. "Give yourself grace and have fun."

    New teacher at Coeur d'Alene High School Grace Robinson introduces herself at the New Educator's Reception on Wednesday at the Human Rights Institute.