Math, English, & AVID - Mrs. Mary Nelson

Hello Warrior Students & Families!

I have the wonderful blessing of teaching English and Math, and serving as Kootenai's AVID Coordinator.

 I have been working within the Kootenai School District since January 2017 and I truly LOVE our students, staff, and community.

 I took the long road to get here. After various degrees in Political Science, History, Psychology, and Law, followed by years of travel, business administration, management, communications, and customer service, I found my way back to teaching and came to understand that teaching Jr. High and Sr. High students is definitely my calling and passion. 

 Like many of our students, I wrestled with mathematics in my early years. I know what it is like to struggle with equations and formulas. Math doesn't come easy for everyone, so I am here to HELP and point our students in the right direction. What I have come to learn, and love, is that math is black and white. There is only one right answer. Mathematics helps our students solve problems, think critically, apply concepts to every day life circumstances, and communicate effectively.

 I thoroughly enjoy watching our students "get it" and grow in their learning. When students know the formula or the tricks and become confident in their abilities, they also get excited about math and learning. I am also thrilled to coach our Mathematics Olympiads team in the Jr. High.

I also have a passion for literature, grammar, and writing. I am excited to be teaching 12th, 11th, and 10th grade ELA courses this year.

AVID ElectiveAs our AVID Coordinator, I also get to teach both the Jr. High and High School AVID elective. This is an opportunity for our students to be challenged with academic rigor, have their eyes opened to future possibilities, and learn the necessary communication and organization skills to be successful in school and beyond.

I believe that each one of my students is fully capable of of doing great things and meeting the goals they have set forth in life. 

I am a WARRIOR through and through and love being a part of our Kootenai community. I coach the Jr. High Girls Basketball, work as the Secretary and Team Manager for the Kootenai Trap Team, serve as the class advisor for the class of 2025, and volunteer with the Kootenai Boosters.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family--my husband Ron, and our four kids at home--Ronnie, Sadie Rose, Dani, and Kaycee. I love to read, write, organize, watch movie marathons and spend time outside shooting trap, hiking, exploring, kayaking, swimming, bicycling, hunting, snowmobiling, and fishing or tubing/wake boarding on one of our boats. We are active in Real Life Ministries in Post Falls and love our community.

And since my students always ask...

  • My favorite foods are Uncrustables, Mexican street corn, nachos, lasagna, and anything ethnic--Japanese, Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, or Korean.
  • My favorite candies are Chico Sticks, Mike & Ikes, Sour Patch Kids or Dark Chocolate. 
  • My favorite animal is a Sea Otter.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the curriculum, upcoming tests, or the assignments your students have brought home.

Mrs. Nelson's Schedule for the 2023-2024 year:

1st Period: Geometry

2nd Period:12th Grade English

3rd Period:11th Grade English

4th Period:10th Grade English

5th Period: 7th Grade Math

6th Period: High School AVID Elective

7th Period: Jr. High AVID Elective