Idaho's Teacher of the Year continues to receive accolades for her contributions to her community and her profession.

Karen Lauritzen, a third grade teacher at Treaty Rock Elementary School in Post Falls, earned the Marsha Nakamura Award for Teaching Excellence from the Idaho Education Association during a ceremony April 22 at the association's 130th delegate assembly in Boise.

The award's purpose is to recognize, reward and promote excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession.

“Many, many people share in the hard work of protecting and improving public education in Idaho, but efforts of some truly shine bright,” IEA President Layne McInelly said. “IEA’s annual awards are for those people — IEA members and others — who go above and beyond in their advocacy for public education.”

Lauritzen was also recognized by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho as one of the 2023 Women of Distinction. This award highlights women throughout the Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho Council who have contributed to the region in unique and meaningful ways, through professional endeavors, commitment to community and willingness to lead. The Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho Council spans 29 counties, 65,000 square miles and serves more than 3,000 girls.

"Both of these awards were incredible honors," Lauritzen told The Press on Friday.

"I feel that I share these with all of the talented, dedicated and caring educators and administrators in Idaho," she said. "As a lifelong educator and Idaho educator for the past 12 years, I am continually impressed and amazed at how hard my fellow teachers work to increase educational opportunities and to bring out the very best in their students. We are lucky to also have some of the most-talented administrators I have ever worked with. Idaho students are lucky to be in a state where so many caring adults work tirelessly to support them."