COEUR d'ALENE – Canfield Middle School teacher Katie Pemberton was selected as Coeur d’Alene School District’s Teacher of the Year at the district’s annual retirement and awards dinner. Pemberton has taught mathematics for the past seven years at Canfield.

Thrilled by the opportunity to teach children to be critical thinkers and problem solvers, Pemberton chose to become an educator. She has been one of the district’s early adopters of technology in the classroom stating, “Students learn in such a variety of ways so my style is to use highly-engaging teaching strategies to bring high energy and active learning to the classroom.”

Pemberton has spearheaded blended learning curriculum development and received the Idaho Council of Teachers of Mathematics Teacher of the Year Award in 2011. She was also the Idaho State finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science this past year.

The district also honored the Elementary Teacher of the Year, High School Teacher of the Year and Rookie Educator of the Year. Pemberton received the Middle School Teacher of the Year recognition before receiving the district’s top honor of overall Teacher of the Year.

Megan Neary, a fourth grade teacher at Skyway Elementary School received the Elementary honor.

Heather Harmon-Reed, a Reading and Spanish teacher at Lake City High School received the High School honor.

Kira Adam, third grade teacher at Borah Elementary School received the Rookie honor, and is in her second year of teaching.

Lora Seaman, Librarian at Skyway Elementary School received the Classified Employee of the Year award.

Both certified and classified staff retirees received recognition including two administrators – Joel Palmer, a 33 year veteran of education and retiring Principal at Bryan Elementary School and Scott Freeby, a 30 year veteran of education and retiring Principal at Fernan Elementary School.