Dr. Melyssa Ferro (pictured top right), a member of the Caldwell Education Association and a Region 8 representative on the Idaho Education Association Board of Directors, recently received the Idaho Education Technology Association’s Technology Educator of the Year Award. The award was given during IETA’s annual conference Feb. 7-9 in Boise. Ferro also delivered a presentation, “Enhancing Teacher Productivity: Unleashing the Power of AI Apps” during the event.  

Trent Van Leuven (pictured top left), member of the Mackay Education Association and the 2024 Idaho Teacher of the Year, was honored in Washington, D.C., last weekend at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education gala. Van Leuven — who was joined by his wife, Cara, as well as Idaho Education Association President Layne McInelly, IEA Vice President Jon Hawkes and IEA NEA Director Peggy Hoy — received the Travelers Award for Teaching Excellence.  

Adam Ream (pictured bottom), president of the West Shoshone Education Association, was honored last month by the Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Appreciation Night. Ream is a music instructor at Kellogg High School and received the Youth Engagement Award for his efforts to organize participation in Silver Valley Chamber of Commerce events.  

Want to brag about your colleagues, a project you’re proud of, or just something fun happening in your classroom? Email Julie Sarasqueta at jsarasqueta@idahoea.org.