Public Notice

Notice: The IESDB Board of Directors will be holding a Special Board Meeting Tuesday, April 29th at 10:00 am.

Welcome to Our Site

Brian Darcy, Agency Administrator

As the winter season blankets Idaho with its serene beauty, I am delighted to welcome you to a new chapter at the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind. This time of year reminds us of the warmth found in community and the strength we gain when we come together, even amidst the chill of the season.

Winter is a time of reflection and renewal—a perfect opportunity to celebrate the progress we’ve made and to set our sights on the goals ahead. For our students who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision, this season offers a chance to embrace learning with fresh energy, discover new strengths, and share in the joy of achievements, big and small. Families, your unwavering support remains the foundation of our students' success. We cherish your involvement and invite you to continue walking this journey with us, hand in hand. To our staff, your dedication is the flame that keeps our community thriving. Your creativity and commitment bring light to our students’ paths and inspire them to reach new heights.

This winter, we are excited to expand opportunities both within our classrooms and through our Outreach Services, ensuring that every student, no matter where they are, has access to the resources and encouragement needed to thrive. Whether it’s exploring new technologies, fostering social connections, or deepening academic knowledge, we are steadfast in our mission to empower every learner. Let’s embrace this winter as a season of growth and unity. Like the snowflakes that join to create a beautiful landscape, our collective efforts make our school a place where every student’s potential can shine brightly.

On behalf of the entire Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind community, I wish you a joyful, productive, and inspiring winter season. Together, we’ll make this a time of resilience, learning, and celebration.

Warmest regards,

Brian Darcy, Administrator

Preschool Centers

pre-school children posing in front of elephant statue

The IESDB Outreach Program offers preschool and community-based options for deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) and blind or visually impaired (B/VI) children ages of 3 -5 in the state of Idaho. The D/HH programs offer total communication (sign language and speech) and auditory-oral (aural and speech) choices:

  • Vocabulary and language development.
  • Introduction to basic concepts.
  • Kindergarten readiness.
  • Listening activities, sensory, and social skills.

The B/VI program focuses on similar goals in addition to:

  • Orientation and Mobility
  • Pre-Braille activities

There are several preschool and community-based centers in Idaho where we are serving 8 to 10+ children. Staff in our preschool centers and community-based includes at least one teacher and a teaching assistant. For more information, please contact the regional preschool centers.

Region 1, Coeur d'Alene

  • Cortney Peters, Total Communication

Region 4, Ponderosa Elementary School, Meridian

  • Jessica Waldbillg, Total Communication
  • Joy Kane and Julie Tobin, Listening and Spoken Language

Region 5, ISDB Campus, Gooding

  • Valerie McCabe, Total Communication
  • Jodie Hamilton, Special Needs
  • Judi Lethlean, B/VI

Region 6 - ISU Campus, Pocatello

  • Donna Wesen, Total Communication