‘She will be missed’

Luckey retires after 37 years of service

OLDTOWN – Susie Luckey is retiring this year as principal of Idaho Hill Elementary School after 18 years, with a total of 37 years at West Bonner School District.

“I have always loved working with children. Many years ago, I began my teaching career running a swim program for the communities at Priest River and Priest Lake. It is very rewarding to watch someone learn a new skill that will benefit them forever,” Luckey said.

That translated into teaching students another lifetime skill, reading.

“My aspirations have always been to help others become the best version of themselves wherever they are in their life journey,” she said. “And teaching children to read, in my opinion, is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our youth and society.”

Luckey served as interim Superintendent during one of the district’s harder times.

After Branden Durst resigned after a short tenure as superintendent, Luckey stepped in as interim superintendent, guiding the district though a rough patch.

Growing up in Priest River, Luckey’s family came to Priest River in the late 1800s from Italy. She graduated from Priest River High School and continued her studies receiving her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Idaho.

Three of her sisters are also educators.

Luckey recently spoke at a West Bonner School District meeting where the closure of Idaho Hill Elementary was talked about due to a school levy not being passed.

“I never thought I would end my career with school closures,” she told the audience packed with concerned parents and grandparents.

Luckey said many of the students scored above average on their tests with 92 percent of the third grade scoring proficient or higher in math.

“I celebrate their grit and perseverance,” she said.

She spoke to both those that opposed and those that supported the levy.

“We all need to come together and be kind,” Luckey said.

Superintendent Joseph Kren said Luckey was exceptional.

“You would be hard pressed to find an educational professional that comes anywhere close to Susie Luckey,” Kren said. “Her knowledge, educational expertise, professionalism and love of her students, staff, families and this community in general is unparalleled.”

In fact, at a recent Region 1 Superintendent meeting Kren said he indicated that Luckey would be retiring. Everyone in the room was shocked, he said, expressing what an amazing professional she is and how hard it will be to replace her “I have constantly looked to Mrs. Luckey for guidance and support as a fellow principal, and now as the superintendent. Never has she complained. She simply embraces each situation, seeks to find the grace our good Lord has provided, and works to find a solution in the best interest of our students.” Kren said.

School board chair Margaret Hall also expressed gratitude for Luckey’s years in education.

“Susie will be missed terribly,” she said. “She has devoted her life to educating the students of this community from Idaho Hill to Priest Lake. During graduation ceremonies, I see the students that she has impacted giving her a big hug and thanking her. She will be someone whom they (we all) will remember in a positive way years down the road. We wish her all the best as she moves through one door to the next.”

Laura Hall (no relation to Margaret Hall) is building secretary for Priest Lake Elementary, who spoke highly of Luckey. She said three words she would use to describe Luckey are stellar, kind and leader.

“She’s a professional on so many levels,” she said. “She’s absolutely a wonderful person.”

Luckey is appreciative of her time with the district.

“I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to serve our families through generations,” Luckey said. “The past few years I have been working with parents who I taught as kindergartners and it is so wonderful to see them as adults with beautiful families.”

Many of Luckey’s students have gone on to careers in the community and elsewhere. Occasionally she will receive a letter or message from former students letting her know what they are doing or how they were inspired during their elementary years.

A recipient of the 2018 Idaho National Distinguished Principal award and an American Legion Auxiliary Unit 155 Principal Award, Luckey said her leadership was only part of her success.

“I was very humbled to receive the awards and know these were given because of the love and work of the team at my schools. I was so fortunate to be assigned their leader,” she said.

Luckey has three sisters and two brothers, and a husband who is a Priest Lake native. She also has four adult children and six grandchildren. As she embarks on her retirement, Luckey said she will be looking forward to spending time with her family and many friends.

“I will miss the relationships with the colleagues, students and families and the opportunities to walk alongside them in their life journeys especially in educating our precious children,” she said.

“I won’t miss the paperwork or detentions,” Luckey said, grinning.