Meet Our Team

Mr. Don Baldi

Executive Director of Education

Mr. Don has over 25 years of experience and has taught grades 3-12 in traditional and Montessori settings. He has a Masters of Education in Elementary Reading and Literacy.
Mr. Don served as an Adjunct Professor at Chapman College and taught elementary reading and literacy and English as a second language in their credentialing and graduate programs.
Mr. Don also spent a decade as an instructional coach, Site Assessment Coordinator, IEP/504 Coordinator, GATE teacher, Math Olympiad Coach, and District Rigorous Design Committee (curriculum design).
He has 3 sons and 5 grandchildren. He is happily married and enjoys his dog Darcie and his cat Crackers.

Ms. Terrie Cornetta

Certified Lead Teacher

Ms. Terrie is originally from Central Illinois and has decades of experience in educating children of all ages. At age 15, she found her vocation for coaching children when she began work as a swimming instructor. Since then, thousands of kids have learned swimming under her tutelage and many competed in the Junior Olympics.
She has a BS in Business Administration and an MS in Education along with teaching credentials from Illinois and California. She has taught children of all grade levels including special needs kids.
Ms. Terrie has a happy family of 5 children and 6 grandchildren. In her spare time, she loves to swim, lift weights, and bake.

Ms. Catherine Griffin

Certified Sylvan Teacher

Ms. Catherine Griffin has taught special education and literacy development in Idaho for more than ten years. She has also taught geography, world history, US history and government in several local Treasure Valley High Schools. She received her B.A. in Anthropology with minors in Native American Studies and history from Boise State University; She has an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on teaching literacy through content instruction. She also has an M.Ed. in Special Education with specializations in twice exceptionality and multilingual students.
Ms. Catherine recently graduated in 2017 from Northwest Nazarene University with an Education Specialist degree in Administrative Leadership with a focus in Special Education Administration and Multilanguage Program Development. She embraces all opportunities to continue her pursuits as a lifelong learner and encourages her students to adopt a “growth mindset” perspective and strive to persevere through personal challenges to pursue their dreams.
Catherine has two adult children who are musicians and artists. She likes to go hiking, canoeing, work in her garden, and spend time exploring the natural areas in the Pacific Northwest. She has an international cosmopolitan worldview and previously lived in Central and South America as an anthropologist. She is excited to join Sylvan to serve students, families, and staff through her commitment towards teaching excellence in student learning.

Ms. Chelsea Hara

Certified Sylvan Teacher

Ms. Chelsea was born in California but raised in New Jersey. She graduated with a Dual Bachelors degree in General Education (PK through 4th) and Special Education (PK through 12). She worked as a Learning Specialist and Case Manager for a public charter school for K-8.

She is currently working remotely at the same public charter school on the Administration team as their Program Manager for the Special Education department. Chelsea’s passion for education started in high school with helping students with learning needs find their own path to success.

In her free time, Chelsea loves spending time with her husband and dog, Beaumont. You can find her cooking, heading to the movies or outside exploring the Treasure Valley!

Ms. Keaira Thompkins

Certified Sylvan Teacher

Ms. Keaira Thompkins grew up in Pocatello, Idaho and graduated from Idaho State University. Ms. Keaira was a Special Education Teacher and Behavioral Interventionist for four years from 2018-2022. She received her Masters of Science in Human Services and dedicated her career to serving the community.

She has a love of the outdoors, flowers, and animals of all kinds.

Ms. Keaira has a son who is nine years old and she enjoys spending time with her family.

Ms. Lisa Naumann

Certified Sylvan Teacher

Ms. Lisa has over 24 years of teaching experience. She has taught all grade levels from K through 8th grade. She has a B.A. in Liberal Studies from Azusa Pacific University, a K-8 Multiple Subject Certificate from Simpson College, and a Reading Specialist Credential from Azusa Pacific University. She has a passion to help students in their learning to set them for long term success.
Ms. Lisa moved to Nampa, ID from Paradise, CA about 5 years ago with her husband and three dogs and currently works at Garfield Elementary school in SE Boise.
Ms. Lisa enjoys reading, fishing, boating, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors of the Boise, ID area.

Ms. Marley Antone

Certified Sylvan Teacher

Marley was born and raised in the Rupert/Burley area of Southern Idaho but now lives in Meridian.
After finishing her bachelor’s in psychology at BSU, she started working as a behavioral therapist. Later, she taught 5th grade at Heyburn Elementary School for three years. In summers, she was actively involved in the math program to help students earn extra credits. She is excited to help students at the Sylvan Centers of Idaho.
Her hobbies are hot yoga, hiking, attending concerts, and spending time with her wonderful fiancé & three step kids. When she is not outdoors, she loves singing and playing piano. She treasures spending time with her mom, two sisters & younger brother in Rupert.

Ms. Monica Smith

Certified Sylvan Teacher

Ms. Monica has 19 years of teaching experience and has taught students Kindergarten through College. After completing her BA in Comparative Literature from the University of California at Santa Cruz she continued her education and pursued MA in French Literature from the University of Oregon. Her Teaching Credential is in secondary school English.

She moved to Boise from California 15 years ago with her husband and two sons. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and playing with dogs.

Ms. Taylor Smith

Certified Sylvan Teacher

Ms. Taylor Smith Is originally from Oregon but she moved to Boise four years ago. She is a proud graduate of Boise State University with a bachelor’s degree in K-12 education, her endorsements being visual media and ceramics. She is very passionate about teaching and has two years of teaching experience from both the classroom and virtual teaching. She has taught both middle school and high school students.

She enjoys drawing, reading, and traveling with her partner. She has been with her high school sweetheart for seven years.