Teacher of the Year
The Idaho Teacher of the Year Program, which began in 1959, is one of the most prestigious honors in the state for teachers. The program focuses public attention on excellence in teaching that has a real impact on the students of Idaho. Peers, school personnel, parents, community members and students may nominate teachers.
If you know a teacher who inspires students to achieve, innovates in the classroom, and goes beyond the call of duty to help our students persevere in life and prepare for their future, please fill out the simple nomination form below. The Idaho Department of Education will contact nominated teachers and invite them to apply for Teacher of the Year.
The 2027 Teacher of the Year nomination window has closed. Teachers have been notified of their nominations and are invited to apply.
2027 Teacher of the Year applications are due on May 18, 2026.
About Idaho Teacher of the Year
The Idaho Teacher of the Year (ITOY) automatically becomes the nominee for the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Program, which is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). If the ITOY is selected as the NTOY they will be released from classroom responsibilities during the year of national recognition.
The selected candidate for ITOY will maintain a regular teaching schedule while also fulfilling the duties of the Teacher of the Year position. Some highlights of the position may include:
- Participating in the NTOY Program as a representative of Idaho
- Presenting to the Senate and House Education Committees in Boise during the legislative session
- Travel across Idaho to speak with other educators, legislators, and policymakers about education in the state
- Participating in the CCSSO NTOY Program Induction conference (approximately one week in length)
- Participating in the NTOY Washington Recognition Week in Washington DC (approximately one week in length)
- Participating in International Space Camp in Huntsville, AL (approximately one week in length)
- Participating in the ECS National Forum on Education Policy – location TBD (approximately three days in length)
- Receive a cash prize from the State
Process Timeline
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| January 23, 2026 | Nomination window for the 2027 Idaho Teacher of the Year opens |
| March 17, 2026 | Nomination window closes |
| March 18, 2026 | Application window for the 2026 Idaho Teacher of the Year opens. *Nominated educators will be contacted by the Idaho Department of Education. Applications are not open to the public. |
| May 18, 2026 | Application window closes |
| May – August, 2025 | Panel reviews applications and selects finalists |
| Fall 2026 | Announcement of the 2027 Idaho Teacher of the Year |
| October 31, 2026 | National Teacher of the Year application due |
Idaho State Teacher of the Year Selection Criteria
A candidate for Teacher of the Year:
- Is an expert in their field who guides students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence.
- Collaborates with colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture of respect and success.
- Deliberately connects the classroom and key stakeholders to foster a strong community at large.
- Demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom walls that embodies lifelong learning.
- Expresses themselves in an engaging and articulate way.
2026 Teacher of the Year – Laron Johnson
2026 Idaho Teacher of the Year Laron Johnson began his teaching career at Rigby High School in 1997 and has been serving Idaho’s students and education community since. A sixth-generation Idahoan, Johnson feels a deep calling to the teaching profession and brings experience, dedication and enthusiasm to his role as Idaho’s Teacher of the Year.
After two years teaching social studies at Rigby High School, Johnson stepped into leadership as the school’s World History Lead Teacher and Social Studies Department Chair, roles he held until 2021 and 2013, respectively.
He currently serves as Rigby High’s Economics Lead Teacher and teaches Holocaust studies, economics, personal development, and world history.
Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a Social Studies Composite from Utah State University. Outside the classroom, he also serves Idaho as a 25-year employee of the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, working in wildland fire operations.
This is not Johnson’s first time being recognized for his teaching excellence. He was named Jefferson School District’s Teacher of the Year in both 2007 and 2019 and received a Stanford University Exceptional Teaching Award in 2017. In his application for 2026 Idaho Teacher of the Year, he wrote that “teaching youth is a lifelong passion” and described being an educator as “the greatest career in the history of humankind.”
Past Winners
To view past winners, click the + sign below.
Past Winners
2025- Heidi Cornell, Orchards Elementary, Lewiston
2024 – Trent Van Leuven, Mackay Jr./Sr. High School, Mackay
2023 – Karen Lauritzen, Treaty Rock Elementary School, Post Falls
2022 – Todd Knight, Crossroads Middle School, Meridian
2021 – Jorge Pulleiro, Wood River Middle School, Hailey
2020 – Stacie Lawler, Timberlake Junior High School, Spirit Lake
2019 – Marc Beitia, American Falls High School, American Falls
2018 – Becky Mitchell, Vision Charter School, Caldwell
2017 – Mary Lynn Spiker, Pocatello/Chubbuck School District, Pocatello
2016 – Melyssa Ferro, Caldwell School District, Caldwell
2015 – Kim Zeydel, West Ada’s Meridian Academy High School, Meridian
2014 – Jamie Esler, Lake City High School, Coeur d’Alene
2013 – Katie Pemberton, Canfield Middle School, Coeur d’Alene
2012 – Erin Lenz, Winton Elementary School, Coeur d’Alene
2011 – Stefani Cook, Rigby High School, Rigby
2010 – Kelli Smith, Sacajawea Junior High School, Lewiston
2009 – Robin Sly, Trail Wind Elementary School, Boise
2008 – Carol Scholz, Idaho Arts Charter School, Nampa
2007 – Mike Clabby, Lake City High School, Coeur d’Alene
2006 – Mr. John “Mick” Sharkey, Parma High School, Parma
2005 – Mrs. Paula Conley, Canfield Middle School, Coeur d’ Alene
2004 – Mrs. Tina Roehr, Meridian Academy, Meridian
2003 – Mrs. Patti Perry, Skyway Elementary School, Coeur d’ Alene
2002 – Mrs. Jennifer Williams, Skyview High School, Nampa
2001 – Dr. Eileen Thornburgh, Pepper Ridge Elementary School, Boise
2000 – Ms. Nancy Larsen Ramsey, Elementary School, Coeur d’Alene
1999 – Ms. Judy Bieze Hayden, Meadows Elementary School, Hayden Lake
1998 – Ms. Glenda Eubanks, Nampa High School, Nampa
1997 – Mr. James Francis, Idaho Falls High School, Idaho Falls
1996 – Ms. Kit Bennett, Almo Elementary, School Almo
1995 – Ms. Shirley Saraff, Highland High School, Pocatello
1994 – Ms. Colleen Kelsey, New Vision Alternative School, Post Falls
1993 – Ms. Vicki Matthews/Burwell, New Plymouth Elementary School, New Plymouth
1992 – Ms. Margaret Duncan McGhee, Elementary School, Lewiston
1991 – Ms. Shirley A. Rau, Nampa Senior High School, Nampa
1990 – Mr. J. Michael Hovey, American Falls High School, American Falls
1989 – Ms. Jennifer Sohn, Nampa Senior High School, Nampa
1988 – Ms. Vicki Lynn Chandler, Bruneau-Grand View Jr/Sr High School, Bruneau
1987 – Ms Sue Anderson, McCall-Donnelly Elementary, McCall
1986 – Ms. Joanne Thompson, Capital High School, Boise
1985 – Mr. Jerry Helgeson, Meridian High School, Meridian
1984 – Ms. Victoria Roper, Wendell Elementary School, Wendell
1983 – Dr. Katherine Young, McKinley Elementary School, Boise
1982 – Ms. Laurie Ann Coffey-Jones, Tendoy Elementary School, Pocatello
1981 – Ms. Sharon Mullen, Stalker Elementary School, Blackfoot
1980 – Mr. Tony Binder, Borah Senior High School, Boise
1979 – Ms. Carol Walker, Moscow Junior High School, Moscow
1978 – Ms. Josephine K. Marshall, Caldwell Senior High School, Caldwell
1977 – Ms. Elizabeth B. Hendricks, Hillside Junior High School, Boise
1976 – Mrs. Patricia Fujii, Fruitland High School, Fruitland
1975 – Ms. Lily DeClair, Adams Elementary School, Boise
1974 – Ms. Barbara Dargatz, Wood River High School, Hailey
1973 – Ms. Sonia Hunt Troy, Junior-Senior High School, Troy
1972 – Ms. Esther Whiting, East Minico Junior High School, Rupert
1971 – Mr. Charles R. Humphries, Buhl High School, Buhl
1970 – Mrs. Ruth Chandler, American Falls High School, American Falls
1969 – Ms. Helen Kirby, Caldwell School, District #132, Caldwell
1968 – Mrs. Radia Hull, Alameda Junior High School, Pocatello
Contact
Taylor Baggerly
Executive Assistant
(208) 332-6812
tbaggerly@sde.idaho.gov
Mailing Address:
Idaho Department of Education
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0027
District TOY Coordinators
Are you a district coordinator for the Idaho Teacher of the Year Program? Please complete the District Coordinator’s contact form for future communications.