They’ve rallied their communities, recruited new Idaho Education Association members, mentored their colleagues, inspired a love of learning, organized tirelessly and fought ceaselessly. And over the weekend, they took a well-deserved bow.
The 2025 IEA Awards, which were held at Delegate Assembly on Saturday morning, honored IEA members and allies who have done so much to advance the work of the union, support their fellow members, and advocate for Idaho’s public school children.
This year’s recipients include:
Betty Roper Public Relations Award | Vallivue High School Back-to-School Fair Committee
The Vallivue Education Association’s Back-to-School Fair Committee has set a new standard for exceptional community engagement. The committee handles every detail of this flagship event, which provides free resources to families — from immunizations and sports physicals to school supplies and food boxes — serving over 1,400 individuals this year alone. Their brilliant communication strategy has caught media attention while weaving meaningful relationships with district leadership, local businesses, and even state legislators. By removing barriers to educational success, they’ve demonstrated that education extends beyond classroom walls — it’s about nurturing whole, healthy communities and amplifying the power of collaborative advocacy.
Sue Hovey Mentoring Award | Lindsey Smith, Lewiston Education Association
Lindsey Smith’s passion transforms the lives of early career teachers throughout Region 2 and beyond. As an NEA and IEA trainer, Smith creates experiences that leave lasting impressions, emphasizing collaborative, positive approaches. Her commitment extends through multiple leadership roles, including Region 2 President, while her professional development work at the district, regional, state, and national levels truly embodies the spirit of mentorship that inspires positive change throughout Idaho’s educational community.
Sam Cikaitoga Service Award | Raul Pedraza, Vallivue Education Association
An extraordinary 8th-grade social studies teacher at Vallivue Middle School, Raul Pedraza has a special talent for student engagement. Whether he’s telling one of his infamous dad jokes, leading students in powerful Holocaust remembrance projects, or weaving the accordion into his lessons, Pedraza makes learning electric. His dedication extends beyond the classroom to student committees, school events, and VEA activities — truly embodying the spirit of an educator whose contributions make our communities better.
Membership Recruiter Award | Joy Weisel, Caldwell Education Association
Joy Weisel has been a transformative force within the Caldwell Education Association. Through her exceptional talent for organizing engaging events and prioritizing education support professionals, Joy recruited over 46 new members this year alone — surpassing the combined total from the previous three years. From rallying community support for Caldwell’s vital school levy to inspiring colleagues to step into leadership roles themselves, Joy’s genuine care has created a sustainable culture of involvement that maintains strong membership despite district turnover. Her tireless efforts have fostered an inclusive, supportive culture that benefits students and staff alike.
Outstanding Aspiring Educator | Emily Pearson, University of Idaho
After being inspired by a presentation on the power of the Idaho Education Association, Pearson took immediate action, quickly rising from vice president to president of her University of Idaho Aspiring Educator chapter. Her initiatives like “Pizza, Pop and Politics” have brought education leaders to campus, but her reach extends beyond the confines of college. A natural communicator, Pearson uses social media to raise awareness of issues affecting educators and has quickly shown a talent for organizing. Her warm communication style and her determination to build strong union connections promises to create positive change throughout Idaho’s education community for years to come.
Shane Anderson Outstanding Member Award | Peggy Hoy, Twin Falls Education Association
Peggy Hoy’s influence extends from classrooms to the halls of state government. Throughout her career, Hoy has demonstrated exceptional leadership, tirelessly organizing, advocating, and networking to benefit public school educators throughout the state. As one of her nominators wrote, “What sets Peggy apart is her genuine commitment to the betterment of the profession. She doesn’t seek recognition for her work; instead, she is motivated by a deep belief in the power of education to change lives.”
For Terri Sanders, dedication to educator solidarity reaches across Idaho. As the heartbeat of support for education professionals facing challenges, Sanders mobilizes retired members to attend contentious school board meetings and personally welcomes every newly retired educator into the IEA community. Her leadership extends nationally through her work on National Education Association-Retired committees and attendance at conferences from San Francisco to Baltimore. Through her enthusiastic efforts, Sanders has contributed enormously to building a cohesive, strong retired membership that continues to positively influence Idaho education.
Edythe Crowe Education Support Professional Award | Molly Hierschbiel, Moscow Education Association
For more than 30 years, Molly Hierschbiel has compassionately supported Idaho’s most vulnerable learners. Her excellence in the classroom has earned the highest praise from her colleagues, and her dedication to her students is legendary. Hierschbiel has created a “growth mindset” club, mentored new paraprofessionals, represented colleagues at Delegate Assembly, and continues to advocate tirelessly for public education. Although she is set to enter a well-deserved retirement, her institutional knowledge and passion for supporting fellow ESPs have made her an irreplaceable asset to the Moscow School District.
Champion of Education Award | Quinn Perry, Idaho School Boards Association
Quinn Perry is a remarkable force in Idaho education advocacy and a true ally to the Idaho Education Association and public schools. Known for her tenacious spirit and exceptional work ethic, Perry has been central to numerous IEA victories, skillfully navigating political complexities and building powerful coalitions. An excellent strategist and network builder, she has put her many gifts to work for Idaho’s schoolchildren. With unwavering determination and a deep commitment to justice and equity, Perry has created a legacy that continues to make the state’s classrooms better places for learning and teaching.
To learn more about the IEA Awards, including the incredible members who lent their names to these honors, visit the IEA Awards page.
2026 IEA Awards
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