Graupman named new director of curriculum

A longtime North Idaho educator will be the new director of curriculum for Coeur d’Alene Public Schools.

Katie Graupman will join the district administration on Monday, July 8. She will oversee curricula and teaching standards for the 17 district schools.

The announcement comes on the heels of a $50,000 audit of the Coeur d’Alene School District, performed this spring by Curriculum Management Solutions of Johnston, Iowa.

Coeur d’Alene Public Schools did not receive top marks. The 362-page audit report concluded that the district did not have a comprehensive plan or process to coordinate and direct curriculum.

The report noted that Coeur d’Alene Public Schools is “very thin at the district level for the number of students being educated in the system.” Auditors recommended restructuring the administration to better meet the needs of the growing district.

“The assessment and program evaluation work that must be completed is critical to the future of the district,” the audit report said.

Previously, one administrator was responsible for both curriculum and assessments for nearly 11,000 students. Now those roles are split between two administrative positions.

In her new role, Graupman will coordinate course development and textbook adoption, establish and implement curriculum quality and course design standards, and recommend changes in the instructional program based on research and district goals. She will also collaborate with Dr. Mike Nelson, the director of assessment and system performance, to develop and implement learning activities, including metrics to track and evaluate progress.

For three years, Graupman has worked for the Idaho Coaching Network, providing coaching for teachers and administrators. She spent 15 years teaching junior high and high school students in the Lakeland School District.

During her time as a teacher at Timberlake High School, Graupman received the Milken Educator Award. Described as “the Oscars of Teaching,” the $25,000 award honors top educators around the country. Graupman also helped to write, align and revise the district’s secondary English curriculum while teaching at Timberlake.

“We are excited to have Katie join our district team,” Dr. Trina Caudle, assistant superintendent of secondary education and curriculum, said. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position and will be instrumental to implementing the district’s curriculum management plan.”