Dr. Melyssa Ferro, a member of the Idaho Education Association Board of Directors, was recently selected as Teacher of the Year by the Idaho Middle Level Association.

Ferro, a member of the Caldwell Education Association, was recognized for her work to help the Caldwell School District incorporate more technology into classroom instruction, especially through the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and for her work mentoring other educators in STEM education. She currently serves as a STEM coordinator and digital integration and innovation specialist for the district.

She was presented with the award at the IMLA’s annual conference at Northwest Nazarene University in Caldwell on Feb. 3. IMLA is an association for educators who teach in grades 6-9 “dedicated to providing support of ideas, research and educational innovations educators need to reach their students, schools and communities.”

A former Idaho Teacher of the Year in 2016 and current co-president of CEA, Ferro also made a presentation on the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom at the IMLA conference. She is also a recipient of the National Education Association Foundation’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

“She also is one of the co-leaders of the Math and Science Summer Institute which is a week-long summer camp where students spend time working on the College of Idaho campus with their professors,” according to her nominator for the IMLA award.

In addition to her role on the IEA board, Ferro also sits on the association’s Resolutions Committee.