The nominating period for the Business Journal of North Idaho's Best of North Idaho competition closed last Friday, and one thing is especially clear — North Idaho loves its teachers.

"There’s a little bit of everybody in here," Advertising Director Kari Packer said Tuesday, examining the abundance of nominations for educators and coaches that flooded in from across the community. "It’s a big deal."

The names of about 50 different teachers and coaches were submitted by parents, students and community members who want their favorite teachers to receive recognition for all they do. This is the first year the competition has included categories for grade school, middle school and high school educators as well as high school sports coaches.

"I’m excited that we get to do something that is a reflection of the support these educators have in the community," Packer said. "This is about the businesses a lot, but it’s also about our community as a whole. And as a whole, we’re all very fortunate that we have these amazing schools and that we attract excellent educators for our kids and we get to send our kids to schools where teachers are obviously loved and appreciated."

So many ties happened that voters will notice up to nine candidates in the final round of voting. Historically, each category is narrowed to five.

"There are so many people that are shaping our kids’ lives in this community and spend so much time with our kids,” Packer said. "We should be recognizing the great ones."

And the nominees are:

High school educator

Jennifer Whaley, Timberlake High

Julie Yetter, Christian Center School

Terry Barnard, Post Falls

Eric Edmonds, Lake City

Jared Helm, Coeur d'Alene

Timothy Sandford, Lake City

Tyler Jacobs, Lakeland High

Tracey Vaughan, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy

Jill Carlson, Coeur d'Alene

Middle school educator

Chad Booth, Lakes

Troy Pottenger, Post Falls

Teresa Sacksteder, Christian Center School

Lisa Barnett, Lakes

Kristin Odenthal, Lakes

Chris Rogers, Woodland

Sarah Lilyquist, Woodland

Grade school educator

Carla Deuser, Ponderosa

Tony Dinning, Prairie View

Lloyd Moe, Athol

Becky Rice, Greensferry

Justin Taylor, Dalton

Courtney Hutchins, Skyway

Ashley Jimerson, Betty Kiefer

High school sports coach

Shawn Amos, Coeur d’Alene, football

Crissy Gilmore, Lake City, cheer

Pete Reardon, Post Falls, wrestling

Stacy Smith, Coeur d’Alene Charter, girls soccer

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The final voting period opens Saturday and goes through Feb. 16. The top two in each category will be named as the top of their class.

Winners will receive certificates and will be invited to the Best Of Party celebration March 26 at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.

Vote for your favorites on www.cdapress.com by clicking on "menu" and "Best of 2020."