Treaty Rock Elementary School educator and Post Falls Education Association President Karen Lauritzen is Idaho’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.
In the prestigious role, Lauritzen will serve as a spokesperson and representative for Idaho educators and will be the state’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. She was selected from a prestigious panel of 13 finalists.
“Karen’s talents go beyond a mastery of teaching,” said Sherri Ybarra, Idaho’s state superintendent of public instruction, in a Sept. 29 press release announcing Lauritzen’s selection. “She has created tremendous connections with her students and the wider school community, and she excels in the art of building classroom relationships that involve not only her students but also their educational network, from parents to peers.”
The day after the announcement, Lauritzen attended IEA’s annual training for local education association presidents in Boise.
“I’m very excited, but I’m most excited to have an elevated platform for telling the story about the work you are doing — incredible work,” Lauritzen told more than 60 local education association presidents gathered at IEA headquarters in Boise. “I can’t wait to start telling everyone about you.”
Laurtizen follows another IEA member and Meridian Crossroads Middle School science teacher Todd Knight in the role.
She’s taught at Treaty Rock 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.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE ON LAURITZEN’S APPOINTMENT