IDAHO – The Idaho State Department of Education is now accepting nominations for Idaho’s most prestigious award in teaching, Teacher of the Year.
Teacher of the Year nominations are open now and due by no later than March 20, 2023.
This award is open to public school teachers in any part of the state teaching any subject at any grade level in Idaho.
“I am so excited for this opportunity to get to know more about Idaho’s most dedicated, passionate and effective teachers,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield said. “I encourage anyone with a talented teacher in mind to please take a moment to put their name in the running for this enormous honor.”
All nominated teachers will be notified and will have until May 8 to submit their application for the honor. A selection committee will then review each application, and the winning teacher will be announced in the fall semester.
The 2023 Teacher of the Year, Karen Lauritzen was selected from approximately 350 nominees. Lauritzen has taught at Treaty Rock Elementary School in Post Falls since 2012 and has served on the school’s behavioral leadership teams, providing focused professional development to both the school and district staff. She was chosen as the Treaty Rock Elementary School Teacher of the Year in 2021.
Other recent winners include: 2022 Teacher of the Year Todd Knight, a science and engineering teacher at Crossroads Middle School in Meridian; 2021 Teacher of the Year Jorge Pulliero, a dual immersion Spanish teacher at Wood River Middle School in Hailey; and 2020 Teacher of the Year Stacie Lawler, a health and physical education teacher at Timberlake Junior High School in Spirit Lake.
The 2024 Idaho Teacher of the Year will receive a cash award and travel across Idaho talking with other teachers, legislators and policymakers about education in the state.
To nominate a teacher for 2024 Idaho Teacher of the Year, click HERE and fill out the online nomination form before March 20.
