Our Approach
Supporting every student at Riverstone
We believe every student learns differently, and those differences are strengths. Our Learning Support program serves students from Preschool through Grade 12, supporting the full spectrum of learners.
For some students, this means targeted skill-building and academic support. For others, it means additional challenge and extension in areas of particular strength. Through collaboration with teachers, families, and specialists, our team provides evidence-based interventions, individualized strategies, and inclusive classroom practices that ensure every student can access Riverstone’s rigorous program and continue to grow as a confident learner.
What Makes Riverstone Different
Our Learning Support Program is fully integrated into the student experience, supporting learners within our International Baccalaureate Program.
IB Aligned Support
Our strategies align with the International Baccalaureate framework, supporting inquiry, reflection, and student agency.
Whole Child Approach
We support students academically, socially, and emotionally, recognizing that confident learners perform better in all areas.
Outdoor Education Integration
Riverstone’s Outdoor Education program builds resilience and problem-solving skills, and our team ensures students can fully participate in these experiences.
Individualized and Flexible
Every student is unique. We create customized strategies and supports designed around each learner’s strengths and needs.
How We Support Our Students
Our Learning Support team uses research-based programs and instructional methods to strengthen academic skills and build independence.
Key approaches include:
- Wilson Reading System – Structured literacy support
- Read Write Inc. – Foundational phonics instruction
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – Multiple ways for students to learn and demonstrate understanding
- Explicit Instruction – Structured, step-by-step skill development
- Differentiation and scaffolding within the classroom
These strategies help students develop strong reading, writing, executive functioning, and learning skills.
A Flexible Continuum of Support
At Riverstone, learning support is designed to be responsive and flexible. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we provide a continuum of support that allows us to adjust the level of assistance students receive as their needs evolve. From strong classroom instruction to targeted small-group support and individualized planning, our goal is to ensure that every student can access the curriculum and continue to grow.
Riverstone’s Learning Support team partners with teachers, students, and families to ensure that every learner can access the curriculum and reach their potential.
We use a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) that allows us to provide the right level of support at the right time—whether through strong classroom instruction, targeted small-group support, or individualized intervention.
Our approach focuses on early identification, research-based instruction, and collaboration with families and specialists.
Meet The Team
Click each staff member’s image to read their bios!
Maria Lucas
Whole School Learning Support Lead
Maria was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved to the New York Area at the age of 10, where she later earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Ramapo College. After traveling the world and trying different areas of study including medicine and sustainable development, she discovered her passion for special education while working at an IB school in Singapore. That brought her to Boise to pursue a Master’s in Teaching Special Education.from BSU with an internship at the Lee Pesky Learning Center that turned into a Lead Writing Specialist role. She later worked as a special educator in the public school system, and became the Learning Specialist, Literacy Coordinator, and DEI Facilitator at Foothills School of Arts and Sciences. Maria fell in love with Boise as an ideal place to raise her son and has been happy here since 2016.
Kassidy Richardson
Learning Support Assistant
Kassidy grew up in a military family, living in various places before settling in Boise, Idaho. She graduated from Boise State University in 2024 with a B.A. in Spanish and minors in Latin American Studies and Mexican American Studies. Her semester abroad in San Sebastián, Spain, deepened her appreciation for global cultures and languages. In her free time, Kassidy enjoys traveling, running, and playing board games.
Samantha Smith
MS & HS Teaching Assistant
Samantha grew up in San Diego, California, and moved to Eagle, Idaho in 2021. She attended Boise State University after transferring from California State University San Marcos. She completed the International Baccalaureate program in 2019, where she discovered a love for psychology. She recently graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and is currently working on getting her in Master’s in Education. Samantha has a passion for reading, painting, plants, rocks, and dinosaurs! She loves to spend her free time snuggled up with a good book or researching newly discovered dinosaur fossils. She also has three guinea pigs she could talk about all day if you let her. She is excited to become a part of Riverstone & foster learning inside & outside of the classroom!
Rebecca Scott
MS/HS Teaching Assistant
Rebecca Scott grew up in Ada County Idaho. Throughout childhood most of her family members would have described her as a “history buff’’. Her love for history proved useful when she decided to pursue a career in education. In 2023 Rebecca graduated from Northwest Nazarene University with a degree in secondary education. When she is not reading up on some obscure history event she is researching and collecting military aircraft models. Her love for aviation has crowned her the title of “Aviation Enthusiast”. A title she holds onto dearly. If the planes are grounded she enjoys baking and long walks.
Meagan Payne
Whole School Learning Support Lead
Meagan was born and raised in Texas and earned her degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University. After college, she moved to Colorado to work at a ski resort and explore new adventures in the mountains. While there, she took a job as a special education paraprofessional and discovered a passion for supporting students with unique learning needs. Inspired by that experience, Meagan moved to Boise to pursue a Master’s in Teaching and later completed a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Boise State University. She previously worked at Riverstone from 2017 to 2020 as a dorm assistant and is excited to return in her new role supporting students across all grade levels. In her free time, Meagan enjoys hiking, camping, snowboarding, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Jordan Liebich
MYP Math Teacher
Jordan has always been passionate about education, so after graduating from Riverstone in 2019 she went on achieve a double major in math and education from Smith College as well as a Master’s in teaching from Mount Holyoke. Along the way, she completed both her student teaching and two teaching fellowships in Riverstone’s MYP math classes. Jordan has loved the Riverstone community since she started here in kindergarten and is thrilled to officially be rejoining Riverstone this fall! Outside of the classroom, Jordan enjoys spending time with her dog, exploring nature (particularly National Parks), astrophotography, crochet, and playing D&D.
Rani Kontham
Learning Support Assistant
Rani was born and raised in India, and moved to the U.S. with her husband in 1998. After traveling from coast to coast, they finally settled in Boise in 2004. Rani has been working with preschool-aged children for over a decade, most recently at Smart Start Preschool as a Pre-K lead teacher for the past 3 years. She is very excited to be a part of Riverstone team and looking forward to having a great year. Rani’s favorite things to do besides her job are cooking, gardening, and chatting with family and friends.
Thomas Knorr
Learning Support Assistant
Tom has a long career of coaching and working with kids and youth of all ages. From running day camps to directing basketball leagues and coaching, he has enjoyed his career of teaching children how to play and have fun with sports and recreation. Tom, his wife, and only child, Hazel, moved to Boise in the summer of 2024. They lived the last 21 years in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but were raised in the North Dakota/Minnesota area. Tom and his family enjoy spending time together and are looking forward to exploring more of what Idaho has to offer. Tom also enjoys singing and playing guitar. He also has an uncanny memory for every dad joke he has ever heard and he keeps them in his dad-a-base.
Every Student Belongs Here
We believe that diverse learners strengthen our community. Our Learning Support program reflects our commitment to ensuring every student is supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed.
