Special Education
North Star Charter School (NSCS) is a K-12 public charter school located in Eagle, Idaho. Founded in
2003, NSCS provides students a world-class education characterized by a safe, supportive and structured
learning climate that encourages high academic achievement, intellectual confidence, leadership and
virtuous citizenship. The school’s charter articulates the vision of its founders to think critically and to
become virtuous citizen leaders in our local and world community. NSCS curriculum offers an emphasis
on business and economics across grades K-12 and the opportunity to participate in the prestigious
International Baccalaureate (IB) program in grades 11-12.
Founded: 2003
School Campus: 839 N. Linder Road, Eagle, ID
Grades: K – 12
Special Education Staff
Kendyl Owen
Special Education Elementary Teacher
Kendyl Owen was born in Eugene, OR and moved to the Boise area when she was in the 3rd grade. She graduated from Lewis-Clark State College in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Shortly after graduating, she returned home to Boise and started working at North Star as a Special Education Paraprofessional. Miss Owen quickly realized her passion was in the education field and returned to school to complete her teaching credentials. She graduated from Boise State University in 2020 with her Master’s in Teaching Special Education. She came into her teaching role with a great amount of experience with children with disabilities. She has a sister who has Autism and serves as her greatest inspiration in life. Miss Owen has also spent time as a developmental therapist, youth development professional, and a long-time nanny.
When she is not at North Star, she enjoys spending quality time with her friends & family, trying new recipes, or hiking the foothills with her 4-year-old golden retriever, Huntley. Miss Owen is so excited to continue her career at North Star, seeing that it is the very place where she found her passion for teaching!
Susan Van Zanten
Special Education Secondary Teacher
svanzanten@northstarcharter.org
Susan grew up in Pasadena, California before moving to San Diego to attend Point Loma Nazarene University. There she received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. During those years, She was a member of the women’s tennis team and an avid beach volleyball player. Several years later she met and married her husband Dan in Del Mar, California where they raised their 2 boys Hayden and Griffin. She was later drawn back to teaching and decided to return to school for higher education. At Azusa Pacific University, she received her Masters along with an Education Specialist Teaching Credential. Since that time Susan has been teaching students with diverse learning styles in both California and now Idaho since relocating 2 years ago. In her free time, Susan enjoys snow skiing in the winter and pickleball in the summer along with gardening and cooking at home. She is excited to join the team at North Star Charter and feels blessed to be given the opportunity to help students achieve their full potential.
