Callie Zenner, a 44-year-old educator at Nezperce High School, has returned to her classroom after completing treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia. Zenner, who serves multiple roles at the school including teaching, athletic director, basketball coach, and student government adviser, was diagnosed in spring 2024.
The diagnosis came swiftly. After experiencing deep exhaustion and unexplained bruising, Zenner consulted her primary care physician, who ordered bloodwork. Within a day, her doctor delivered concerning results. Within 48 hours, she was airlifted to Seattle for specialized treatment at a medical center equipped to handle her condition.
“Small town schools, you wear a lot of different hats,” Zenner said of her role at the Nez Perce County institution, where her daughter Erica was a senior at the time of her diagnosis.
Now in her first year of remission, Zenner has resumed her responsibilities at the school. Her return reflects both personal resolve and the demands placed on educators in rural districts, where staff shortages often require individuals to manage multiple duties simultaneously.
Zenner’s experience underscores the resilience required not only of patients navigating serious illness but also of school communities adapting to staffing challenges. Rural schools across Idaho, including those in Nez Perce County, continue to face ongoing staffing and funding pressures that affect their ability to maintain consistent educational programming.
When asked about her journey, Zenner offered simple but powerful words: “You can do hard things.”
What Comes Next
Zenner’s return to Nezperce High School marks a milestone for both the educator and the school community. As she continues her recovery while resuming full duties, her presence reinforces the school’s capacity to maintain its athletic and student activity programs. Educators and families throughout Nez Perce County will continue monitoring school staffing and resource availability as districts work to sustain programming in a challenging fiscal environment.