From left, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield, Idaho Education Association Governance Organizer Peggy Hoy, Teacher of the Year Heidi Cornell, and Idaho Education Association President Layne McInelly at the announcement of Cornell’s honor.
Lewiston Education Association member Heidi Cornell is Idaho’s 2025 Teacher of the Year — a statewide honor that drew a crowd to Orchards Elementary School last week to join in celebrating the third-grade educator.
“I mean, what an honor,” Cornell said. “You know, it’s extremely humbling to be part of the world of education and so many amazing educators. So, to be honored in this way is just very humbling and awesome, it really is.”
Cornell was selected from a pool of 40 nominations. She will now become Idaho’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year, which will be awarded in spring 2025. In addition, Cornell received a check for $10,000 and a plaque as part of her award.
“Heidi’s work in and out of the classroom successfully ties together so many aspects of what ‘best practice’ looks like when it comes to serving students,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield said in a news release. “Standing out in a field of so many incredible and deserving applicants is no small feat, but Heidi immediately caught our eye as a candidate with the skill and dedication needed to support her students, colleagues and community. She’s truly an asset, and I’m grateful for her devoted service to her community.”
Critchfield was on hand to present the honor to Cornell, as well as Idaho Education Association President Layne McInelly and Governance Organizer Peggy Hoy.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Heidi’s Teacher of the Year award,” McInelly said. “Her teaching style takes the unique abilities of students into account, giving them the space and security they need to succeed in her class and beyond. Her mentorship of other educators, including teaching interns from Lewis-Clark State College, is a shining example of how experienced educators can support the next generation of classroom leaders. We are so proud to count her as a member.”
Cornell said her union membership has been an asset during her career, which began in Lewiston in 2009. “I think the union is always here for us, supporting educators in anything,” she said. “You know, they’re there to do the negotiations for us and keep things equitable. So I’m really grateful for that.”
She takes the Teacher of the Year mantle from Mackay Education Association member Trent Van Leuven, who has traveled twice to Washington, D.C., as part of his 2024 Idaho Teacher of the Year award. Earlier this year, Van Leuven participated in the first-ever state dinner for educators at the White House.