The Idaho Department of Education has opened nominations for the state’s highest honor for teaching talent, the CapEd Credit Union Idaho Teacher of the Year.
The 2027 Idaho Teacher of the Year will receive a cash award of $10,000, courtesy of CapEd Credit Union and will travel across the state to engage with educators, legislators and policymakers on topics such as teaching, curriculum and more. They will also serve as Idaho’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year and will represent Idaho at several National Teacher of the Year events.
Anyone – parents, students, colleagues, and others – are invited to nominate any Idaho traditional and charter school educators teaching any subject at any grade level. All nominations are due to the Idaho Department of Education by March 11.
“I think that almost all of us can remember a teacher who made a difference for us, whether it was offering support in the moment, helping to plan a successful future, and everything in between,” said Superintendent Debbie Critchfield. “This program gives us the opportunity to raise up this type of educator and say, ‘here’s someone who’s truly going the extra mile for Idaho students.’”
All nominated educators will be notified the week after the nomination deadline and will have until mid-May to submit their applications. All application materials will be reviewed by a selection committee, and the winning educator will be announced in the fall.
2026 Idaho Teacher of the Year Laron Johnson was selected based on his deep commitment to the teaching profession and passion for his subject matter. He calls teaching “the greatest career in the history of mankind,” and his classes in history, economics, and personal development have influenced generations of students to think critically, act compassionately, and see their role in shaping a better world.
The nomination form, educator application instructions, and a complete timeline of this year’s selection process for the 2027 CapEd Credit Union Idaho Teacher of the Year is available on the Idaho Department of Education’s website at https://www.sde.idaho.gov/awards-grants-and-recognition/teacher-of-the-year/.
