IEA Awards Every year, members of the IEA recognize their colleagues for their outstanding efforts and successes on behalf of Idaho’s children.
The work that many of our members do as teachers and education support professionals goes above and beyond their job descriptions. Nominations for the 2027 IEA Awards will open later this year.
2026 IEA Award Winners
Congratulations to this year's recipients!
Dawn Anderson - Larry Caldwell Advocacy Award
An Idaho Education Association member since 2008, Dawn Anderson has built a sustained record of advocacy, no matter the political climate. She has testified before legislators in Boise, produced substantive legislative updates for Region 6 members, organized Days of Action, recruited PACE donors and trained local leaders on contract interpretation and grievance processes. She has also coordinated Children's Fund grants on behalf of high-need students, building evidence-based cases and working with families to provide the assistance they need. Colleagues say those who work with her "know they are not alone."
Cyndi Faircloth - Sue Hovey Mentoring Award
Cyndi Faircloth, sixth-grade ELA teacher at Moscow Middle School, has built a mentoring legacy that extends well beyond a teacher's first year. She co-developed the Moscow School District Teacher Mentoring Program, creating monthly handbooks, journals and professional development sessions for mentors and mentees alike. Her influence endures long after formal mentorship ends: former student teachers describe her guidance years later, with one colleague crediting her as "the reason I am an ELA teacher today." She continues to develop new leaders within IEA by empowering members to step into roles and reach their full potential.
Tama Meyer - Monica Beaudoin Retired Award
A founding member of the North Idaho Education Association Retired Chapter, Tama Meyer has built a legacy of creativity and service since 2013. Her "EngAgE Artfully" art classes — recognized twice by NEA Today and featured in local newspapers — have doubled chapter membership. She has taught other educators at Summer Institute and created a chapter activities notebook to guide future leaders. Her passion for the IEA Children's Fund has generated thousands of dollars in the form of community partnerships and fundraisers, all with the goal of assisting Idaho's schoolchildren and families in need.
Rep. Jack Nelsen - Champion of Education Award
A former College of Southern Idaho music instructor, Representative Jack Nelsen brings an educator's perspective to the Idaho Legislature. Since his 2022 election he has read legislation in full to determine the true impacts to public education, raised detailed constitutional objections to Idaho's tax credit voucher, and flagged student safety concerns in multiple bills. He takes time to walk constituent educators through complex legislation with patience and care. His principled stands have not always been popular among some of his fellow lawmakers, but he has followed through with votes that reflect his integrity and support for Idaho's school children.
Nancy Gregory - Friend of Education Award
A Boise School District trustee since 2002 and Idaho School Boards Association president in 2023, Nancy Gregory has shaped education policy across funding, special education, facilities and legislative advocacy for more than two decades. She championed a district resolution opposing Idaho's tax credit voucher and sharpened ISBA's focus on high-needs and special education funding. A regular classroom volunteer, she prioritizes open dialogue with teachers and has been recognized by peers with ISBA's "Bulldog" Award. In November 2026,
she will run for the Idaho Legislature, District 15.
Amy Gonzalez - Marsha Nakamura Award for Teaching Excellence
Amy Gonzalez has taught first grade at Caldwell's Van Buren Elementary, a Title I school, for more than 20 years. Her innovative use of GLAD strategies and process-focused math instruction has produced nearly 90% writing proficiency among her students. She organizes an annual literacy night drawing more than 400 attendees and has served in multiple union leadership roles, including six years on the local's negotiations team. A quote on her monitor captures her philosophy: "Relationships before rigor. Grace before grades. Patience before programs. Love before lessons."
Layne McInelly - Shane Anderson Outstanding Member Award
As IEA president, Layne McInelly assumed office just months before the COVID-19 pandemic and guided educators through one of public education's most turbulent periods with calm, clear communication. Throughout his tenure he visited schools statewide, hosted educator town halls and served on the National Education Association Political Action Committee. Under his leadership, the IEA has grown into a stronger, more unified voice at the state capitol. Layne's fellow members describe a leader who speaks about public education "with knowledge, conviction, and respect" — whether talking to neighbors during a door-knocking campaign or sharing issues with legislators.
Discover the IEA Awards
Union members have created several awards to better recognize the diverse and exemplary contributions of their colleagues.
Betty Roper Public Relations Award
The award shall go to a local or region that has made a special and unique contribution to the cause of furthering communications and public relations internally and/or externally over an extended period of time and particularly in the last year. Items for consideration may include newsletter, presentations, press releases, or social media activity.
Champion of Education Award
This award will go to a person or persons who have made a special and unique contribution to the cause of public education over an extended period of time and particularly in the last year within the purview of their job.
Edythe Crowe Education Support Professional Award
The winner is an ESP member who has made a special and unique contribution to the cause of public education over an extended period of time and particularly in the last year. IEA’s Edythe Crow honoree is IEA’s nominee for the NEA Education Support Professional of the Year Award which recognizes the contributions of ESP to their schools, communities, and their profession. Please use the Application instructions PDF as a guideline to follow when submitting applications for this year.
Friend of Education Award
The award shall go to a person or persons who have made a special and unique contribution to the cause of public education over an extended period of time and particularly in the last year.
Larry Caldwell Member Advocacy Award
The award will be given annually to an IEA member who has confronted extraordinary challenges in assuring their students, their public school, their colleagues, or their profession, have been treated fairly and justly.
Marsha Nakamura Award for Teaching Excellence
This award goes to a certified member who recognizes, rewards, and promotes excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession. IEA’s Nakamura honoree is IEA’s nomination for the NEA Award for Teaching Excellence. The awardee will be IEA’s guest at the NEA Foundation Banquet in February.
Membership Recruiter Award
The Membership Recruiter award is presented to a member annually who has exhibited leadership skills in the area of membership recruitment and retention. The recipient of this award is selected on the basis of sustained efforts in the area of membership recruitment and retention.
Monica Beaudoin Retired Award
Monica Beaudoin was an advocate for students, teachers, ESPs, and public education. While a teacher in the Lake Pend Oreille school district she successfully ran for the Idaho House of Representatives, serving two terms. She gave up her seat in the legislature when she was elected as IEA President, serving four years. Monica championed many causes and projects as an IEA member and was instrumental in launching the IEA Children’s Fund. After her term as IEA President and after retirement, Monica remained very active in the Association. She served on both the IEA and NEA Board of Directors for many years as a retired representative and was active in the North Idaho Education Association Retired Chapter. Monica spent her entire career advocating for children and public education, and her contributions will long be remembered.
The Monica Beaudoin Award is created to honor an IEA retired educator who has continued to be active in retirement and made significant contributions to the IEA Retired Organization.
Sam Cikaitoga Service Award
This award recognizes and rewards a person who, like Sam, understands and celebrates the ways we are all alike downplays our differences. The award shall be to a person or persons who have made a special and unique contribution to the cause of public education over an extended period of time and particularly in the last year.
Shane Anderson Outstanding Member Award
This award was created to honor IEA members who share Shane’s commitment to and passion for public education and the work of the Idaho Education Association and shall be awarded to a current and active member for outstanding and dedicated service to their local and state education associations.
Sue Hovey Mentoring Award
The award will be given annually to a current IEA member who has formally or informally mentored new or struggling colleague(s).
Aspiring Educator Award
This award goes to one elementary education major and/or one secondary education major who is currently enrolled in a teacher training program.
