The big news: The Idaho Education Association’s in-house communications team was honored at the annual State Education Affiliate Communicators conference (SeaComm) in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
What is SeaComm?: It’s the professional organization for communications staff at NEA state affiliates, including graphic designers, writers, photographers, web staff, and public relations experts who promote public education nationwide. The annual competitive awards program is judged by peers.
The awards: Awards are broken down by “Awards of Excellence” — top honors — and “Awards of Distinction.”
Awards of Excellence:
• Commemoration/Tribute: “Failing Forward: Idaho Education Recognized for Innovative Science Teaching” about Caldwell Education Association’s Melyssa Ferro.
• Design: Editorial Layout and Typography: “2025 Union Guide,” a comprehensive guide to union contacts and processes that is delivered by mail. The 2025 guide was the inaugural edition.
• Digital: Website: IEA’s website, Idahoea.org, was completely revamped in 2025 to better serve the needs of members.
Awards of Distinction:
• Digital: Podcast: The IEA Reporter Podcast features members and newsmakers talking about issues that affect public education in Idaho.
• Publications: Membership Materials: “2025 Union Guide”
• Writing: Feature Story: “Learning to Lead in Real Time,” about the leadership journey of Jerome Education Association’s Julie Kirk and Rachel Del Valle.
• Writing: Opinion/Editorial: “Investing in Reading Works,” an opinion piece by IEA President Layne McInelly about the state’s successful results after funding a reading program.
What it means: “Over the past three years, IEA’s communications team has steadily been strengthening our capabilities and communications offerings to IEA members,” said IEA Communications Director Mike Journee. “And during that time, we’ve steadily increased the number of national awards we receive at SeaComm. It’s fantastic to be recognized by our peers, but we also hope our members feel more informed, supported and inspired.”
