Last weekend, Idaho Education Association recognized ten public education advocates and fellow IEA members for their extraordinary service to public education or the association.
During a Saturday ceremony at IEA’s 130th Delegate Assembly in Boise, IEA President Layne McInelly presented the annual awards before an audience of nearly 370 IEA members gathered for the annual organizational meeting. The awards focus on key areas of IEA’s advocacy for Idaho students, educators and public education, including strong relationships with policymakers, parents and the community.
“Many, many people share in the hard work of protecting and improving public education in Idaho, but efforts of some truly shine bright,” McInelly said. “IEA’s annual awards are for those people — IEA members and others — who go above and beyond in their advocacy for public education.”
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH 2023 IEA AWARD RECIPIENT
Here’s a quick rundown of the recipient of each award:
Idaho Rep. Julie Yamamoto (R-Caldwell)
Champion of Education
Michael and Kolane Gilbert of Caldwell
Friend of Education
Karen Lauritzen – Post Falls Education Association and Idaho Teacher of the Year
Marsha Nakamura Award for Teaching Excellence
Amber Ford – Vallivue Education Association
Betty Roper Public Relations Award
Marta Hernandez – Cassia County Education Association
Membership Recruiter Award
Melanie Hammond – Rexburg Education Association
Shane Anderson Outstanding Member Award
Joel Williams – Fruitland Education Association
Larry Caldwell Member Advocacy Award
Sterling Blackwell – Fruitland Education Association
Sue Hovey Mentoring Award
Richard “Dick” Chilcote – Southwest Idaho Education Association – Retired
Monica Beaudoin Retired Member Award