Adult Education
Faculty and Staff
Tom Putnam
Executive Director, College and Career Readiness
Office: Roy F. Christensen Complex 362A
I’m the Executive Director of College and Career Readiness, which includes the programs of Adult Education, Center for New Directions, Successful Transitions and Retention Track (START), and the Tutoring, Academic Support and Peer Mentoring (TAP) program. My goal is to help community members across southeast Idaho who are looking to get started in earning their GED and/or receiving ESL services to find the resources and tools necessary to be successful. Our programs are located on the 3rd floor of the Roy F. Christensen building and I look forward to meeting you and helping you to connect with a wide range of services as you begin your education or career journey!
In my free time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors of Idaho through hiking, backpacking, snowboarding, and mountain biking. I also enjoy reading, US history, and spending time with my family.
Adrienne Scott
Administrative Assistant
Office: Roy F. Christensen Complex 374
Born and raised just outside Washington, DC, I graduated from James Madison University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. I’ve taught elementary music and piano lessons, run a successful photography studio, and built and run an iPad app and SaaS app. I've lived in Nashville, Tennessee and Colorado Springs before we sold it all to embark on a three-year road trip across the U.S., homeschooling our kids and exploring amazing places along the way. We settled in Pocatello in the summer of 2024. I’m passionate about teaching and helping others achieve their educational and career goals. When I’m not working, you can find me hiking, cooking, spending time with other #type1strong families (one of my kids has type one diabetes), growing food, and enjoying time with my family (epic MarioKart battles on rainy days) and our dog.
Holly Bauer
Instruction Coordinator
Office: 208-282-5805
A 2014 graduate of Idaho State University, Holly Bauer is back on the Pocatello campus as the math instructor in the Adult Education program. She helps prepare students for success on the math portion of the GED test. Her math teaching experience includes all middle and high school grades in both virtual and traditional settings. She also has extensive experience tutoring one one-on-one and small groups. Her hobbies and interests include anything outdoors, especially in or on water. She lives in Pocatello with her husband and four children.
Robin Gardner
Technical Records Specialist
Office: Roy F. Christensen Complex 374
I was born and raised primarily in Idaho and moved my family to Pocatello in 2020. My family and I really enjoy this area and this community.
Diana Gull
Customer Service Representative
I am the Customer Service Representative and can help answer your questions and direct you to services related to Adult Education and other College and Career Readiness programs. I greet people as they come to our floor and direct them to the program(s) that would best fit their needs. I also assist students in testing placement, as well as coordinate our distance learning program that helps eligible students to access GED courses and resources, online. I monitor this online program and help students as needed with their studies as they prepare to take the GED.
I am originally from southeast Idaho and love working with people in the community to help them improve their lives.
Lisa Goodwin
Office Support Specialist
I'm the Blackfoot Outreach Office Support Specialist and have been with the Adult Education program since 2009. My job responsibilities include answering questions related to Adult Education for our Blackfoot office, student testing, data entry, as well as helping both students and instructors with anything else that may be needed. I also administer all four official GED tests at our outreach office in Blackfoot. I enjoy getting to know each student and helping students achieve the goal of earning their GED.
I enjoy spending time with my family, relaxing in my hot tub, and all outdoor activities, especially four-wheeling. I am looking forward to the arrival of my first grandchild, due in December, 2022
Heather Gooch
ESL Instruction Coordinator
Office: Roy F. Christensen Complex 368
Heather Gooch is a graduate from Utah State University with a B.A. in American Studies and Spanish. She received a M.Ed. in Human Resource Training and Development with an emphasis in Adult Education from Idaho State University. Her travel experiences led her to an interest in working with people from around the world. Heather has been an ESL instructor since 1996 teaching students in Blackfoot and Pocatello. Heather enjoys spending time in her backyard while listening to birds and reading.
Susan Hughes
Instruction Coordinator
Office: Roy F. Christensen Complex 368
Susan is the Language Arts, GED Science, GED Social Studies, and Beginning ESL instructor in the Pocatello Center. Her teaching experience has included public schools, private schools, and higher education. She maintains a state of Idaho teacher certification and holds a Graduate Certificate in TEFL. In addition to her work in the Adult Education program, Susan is an Adjunct Instructor of Music in the Idaho State University Music Department. When she is not teaching Adult Education or making music, Susan enjoys spending time with her horses and donkey.
Blanca Mendez
Instruction Assistant
Office: Roy F. Christensen Complex B166