ROAR Together: Building Idaho’s Future with Rural Communities Dubois

Through the INCLUDE project, Idaho State University is proud to spotlight rural Idaho communities whose educators and partners are making a lasting impact on students’ lives and futures.

We are excited to launch a series spotlighting our incredible community partners through the INCLUDE project. This initiative connects rural Idaho communities to expanded educational opportunities, health services, and critical resources. By highlighting these communities, we celebrate the dedicated efforts of those working to uplift, educate, and support Idaho's youth. Join us as we share a bit about the communities who are helping to ensure a brighter future for all Idahoans.

 

Introduction

The East Idaho region features outstanding school districts and some of the finest educators that you will find anywhere. In June 2025, we had the opportunity to meet with representatives from five of these school districts. We discussed their vision and their success in helping students excel and to reach their professional and educational goals. What stood out was the intense effort to help students in all areas of their lives. While the approach, programs and specific needs of each school may differ from one to the next, timeless principles never change. As we listened to these individuals tell their stories, we could sense the drive and the deep commitment to ensure that every student was provided with the best opportunities and resources available to reach their full potential.

Another recurring theme was the relationship between these schools and Idaho State University, as it is often the main destination for graduates who are a good fit for ISU programs and who wish to study in close proximity to their home communities. All of the staff that we spoke with emphasized the quality work ethic that their graduates learn and rely upon in these rural settings. Perseverance is a prerequisite for many students who are often first-generation college students, but who receive support and guidance from individuals like the ones we encounter in this series of articles. The staff and students at these schools are a source of pride and inspiration, and we cannot thank them enough for their generosity and authenticity as they told their stories. We wish them well as they continue their journey with their students together.

 

ROAR Together: Building Idaho’s Future with Rural Communities

Dubois

 

By Jason Kindree and Md Masud Un Nabi

 

Clark County Jr/Sr High School: A School That Wears Many Hats and Goes the Extra Mile

In the windswept ranching town of Dubois, Idaho, home to the smallest population in the state, Clark County Jr/Sr High School is a place where commitment is not just spoken, it is lived. With only 39 students in grades 6 through 12, this school may be small in size, but it stands tall in purpose, connection, and pride.

Leading the district is Superintendent, Principal, and Math Teacher Eileen Holden, who also drives a school bus when needed. “We wear a lot of hats,” she says with a smile. “But being small means, we all know the students and work with every single one of them.”

In this school, the word “community” is not abstract. It is the bus driver who brings students to Rexburg for swim lessons. It is the food pantry team delivering meals to homes where parents are working long hours. It is the science teacher who also provides counseling services. It is the custodian whose spotless floors shine despite harsh Dubois winters. And it is the classroom where every student is seen and supported.

Superintendent Holden, an Idaho State University graduate, has been working in education since 1996. Her passion for student growth is matched only by her belief in community-wide education. “Our vision is to promote Bobcat PRIDE,” says Holden, referring to the district’s core values: Positive Attitude, Responsible and Respectful, Integrity, Determination, and Empowerment. “In a small district, you have to become part of the community. That is how we succeed together.”

Caption: Eileen Holden (center), Superintendent, Principal, Math Teacher and Bus Driver at Clark County Jr./Sr. High School is joined by Dee Anne Taylor (right), K-12 School Counselor and Science Teacher. When they say they wear many hats they mean it!

 

When you work and teach at Clark County Jr./Sr. High School, you have to wear multiple hats to ensure that students get the education they need and deserve. Dee Anne Taylor, the K-12 school counselor, also teaches chemistry and physics. The town of Dubois is heavily reliant on jobs at federal services such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the forest service and the sheep station. Larsen’s Hay Terminal is another major private sector employer here. Several students take buses to get here from around the area. The school district has a teacher-to-student ratio of 8:1, with more than half of the student population being Hispanic. The school excels at preparing students for graduation, regardless of what their career choices might be. This also means ensuring that they can meet the rigorous demands of any program, either academic, in professional labor, or other career paths.

The school organizes several college tours throughout the school year to give them maximum exposure to a variety of programs, including a bus tour to North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, Boise State University, Utah State University, schools in Montana and Idaho State University (ISU). This ensures that families that may not have the opportunity to travel as much get the chance to do so and make connections that will open doors for greater educational and career opportunities. 

One of the local scholarships from Larsen’s Hay Farm involves an application and interview process to ensure that students end up going into programs that they are suited for and committed to, and also to be certain that they can contribute to the community in some way when they return. Taylor explains that “we work with them and we push them… whether they want to succeed or not.” As with other rural communities, developing a strong work ethic and taking pride in a job well done are core values that cannot be compromised. She views educators as custodians of the future whose job is not simply to teach knowledge, but to instill strong drive and a sense of achievement.

Caption: Home of the Bobcats. Students at Clark County have the opportunity to play sports and feel a sense of pride as they represent their school.

 

The school and the community regularly come together to fill any gaps or to ensure that resources are available as needed. There is a healthy climate of parental support, which is an important counterweight to student apathy that may set in at times. It can be a big transition to larger schools in other cities, so staff at Clark County try to help students with that adjustment. 

Many graduates who go on to college, including programs at ISU, are first-generation college students, which means that they must navigate barriers that they do not know about or how to prepare for or anticipate. This is why a big component of education is not just fulfilling course requirements, but also having the confidence to take those steps and apply for academic or trade programs and developing goals with a clear plan of action.

Senior students at Clark County High even had a trip together as a graduating class where they flew to San Diego. The money was raised through concessions and other local fundraising initiatives with the help of local businesses and residents. Most staff are involved in fundraising and/or non-profit activities to support these types of experiences. One of the highlights of the school year is the Homecoming parade, where they proceed from the school to main street and back. 

Besides academic aspirations, the school also supports student efforts to succeed in trades through hands-on College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) programs. Welding and automotive are two areas where Clark County students also shine. Other graduates have achieved success in cosmetology, medicine and teaching. Given such an intimate environment where everyone knows everyone, no one just teaches among staff. They all need to be cohesive, since they have multiple things to do.

Given that their common goal is to help all students succeed, students and staff can simplify the process and solve problems and create solutions together, one of the major strengths of living in smaller or rural areas. This means a higher level of trust and less micromanagement, and an atmosphere of mutual support. It’s important to build trust not only with students, but within the community, as most staff have close ties therein. Staff offer support to students through internships and helping them identify opportunities that align with their long-term career objectives. 

Online classes and hybrid schedules have also been introduced to help students who must travel considerable distances or where starting times for certain classes can be flexible with online models. Staff at Clark County view the syllabus as a contract, where students commit to course requirements, and where teachers are available to help them succeed and to develop skills throughout the entire learning process.

Dubois and Clark County is one of many rural communities in Eastern Idaho where both students and educators shine, quietly but brightly. For them, driving down to ISU campus or going to visit other institutions is not simply a fun day away from class. It is a chance to show their talents and to connect with people who are looking for quality individuals who know how and have been taught to work hard, to persevere and to give back when they do succeed. This is all thanks to the selfless service of teachers and administrators like Eileen Holden and Dee Anne Taylor.

Caption: One of the school buses driven by Superintendent Extraordinaire Eileen Holden. When they are not in use, the buses are parked in the Clark County Bus Barn attached to the School building - always ready for action.

 

About our contributors:

Md Masud Un Nabi “Shuvo” is pursuing a Doctor of Arts in Political Science at ISU. He holds an MA in Communication from ISU and both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Mass Communication and Journalism from Khulna University, Bangladesh. With a background in journalism, he is passionate about storytelling that amplifies voices, informs communities, and inspires positive change, combining academic insight with practical experience to create meaningful content.

An accomplished English language editor, educator and author, Jason Kindree brings a diverse skill set to any project he is engaged in. He is a Research Fellow in the doctoral program in the Political Science Department at Idaho State University, with a focus on Global Security and US Foreign Policy. Prior to arriving at ISU, Jason spent time overseas in South Korea teaching English as a second language. He returned to the corporate sector as a senior English editor/writer and manager of special projects. He has experience as a business and government consultant, and in developing writing workshops and conceptual frameworks for scientific government agencies and writing business plans and proposals. He is currently working on various research projects and attending academic conferences with the aim of publishing in scholarly journals in his field.