Longanecker named new PAFE executive director

Panhandle Alliance for Education has announced that Amy Longanecker, PAFE's development and events director, has been promoted to the executive director position following Marcia Wilson's retirement this summer.

"We fielded many applicants from within and outside the area," said PAFE board president and Litehouse CEO Kelly Prior, "and Amy stood out for her experience and enthusiasm for supporting education." 

In 2009, Amy Longanecker and her husband Jameson moved to Sandpoint with their three young sons. Like many new parents, they wanted to be pro-active getting their boys on the right track for school, but needed some guidance. Amy learned about READY! For Kindergarten, a free workshop funded by Panhandle Alliance for Education that teaches parents what they need to know before their kids enter Kindergarten and thought it would be a good place to start.

"I was so impressed," Amy said, "The classes are held three times a year and teach you how to play with your child constructively. You walk away from these classes with a handful of toys, fun materials, and instructions. It was a roadmap for me, and we made a big deal out of it. I did everything they told me to do." 

In first grade, their oldest son came home talking about his puppy. He had earned a collar that day for his stuffed puppy because he had read three books at school. Lucky Puppies is another program funded by PAFE that encourages first graders to read. 

Now, Amy said, she has three readers in the house thanks to the Lucky Puppy Grant. 


When Amy learned of a job opening at PAFE in 2014, she jumped at the opportunity. And now, after seven years as their development and events director, she is excited to take on a more significant role.


"This community is full of people who give their time and their skills. In this new role, I can give back to the school district, the students, the educators, and the community in a small way. I love that now I can pay it forward and be a part of giving new parents the confidence I needed when my boys were babies and toddlers."

PAFE's early childhood education programs are the building blocks, and they encourage parents to be involved from the beginning. But it's only the start. PAFE's programs impact students through high school by giving educators the resources they need to go above and beyond what school budgets fund. And when educators can pursue their passion and creativity, it's contagious. Students get involved; they love it; they bring it home and talk to their parents. It makes a difference. 

What's next?

As executive director, Amy's priority in the next year is a new project PAFE will fund to help students plan and think about their post-secondary careers. PAFE will facilitate a partnership between local businesses and educators to show what skills translate to what opportunities and give them concrete ideas to pursue a successful future. 

Some students will want to continue to universities or community colleges, while others will be interested in vocational and tech education. Some will take gap years, and others will want to graduate with skills to get to work immediately. Whatever they choose, there are many decisions to be made and classes and skills they'll need. This new initiative will help connect those dots. 

New initiatives aren't the only priority for the coming year, Amy explained. Because of COVID, there is a great deal of catch-up to do in the classrooms and the school district has told us their highest priority is getting continued professional development for their educators. PAFE has committed to funding Professional Learning Communities district-wide in hopes of offering teachers strategic solutions for the challenges they will face this year.

PAFE’s work will never be done. There will always be new students coming through the classrooms and new ideas from the teachers. We want them to be able to count on us. Longanecker said she look forwards to serving the organization toward its mission.

PAFE is now hiring for an administrative assistant/events coordinator to complete its staff. For more information, visit panhandlealliance.org.