The Idaho Department of Education is seeking nominations for the state’s top honor for teaching talent — the CapEd Credit Union Idaho Teacher of the Year.

The award is open to all Idaho traditional and charter school educators teaching any subject at any grade level. Nominations are due to the Idaho Department of Education by March 16.

“Each year I have the distinct pleasure and honor to take part in this selection process, and seeing the amazing teaching talent fostered statewide is such a privilege,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield said in a Monday news release. “With this in mind, I once again make an appeal to anyone — students, parents, teachers and administrators — to think of an educator who has gone the extra mile and nominate them for this prestigious honor.”

All nominated educators will be notified the week after the nomination deadline and will have until May 9 to submit their applications. A blue-ribbon selection committee will review each application with the winning educator announced in the fall.

Heidi Cornell, the 2025 Idaho Teacher of the Year, was selected for her outstanding dedication to student-centered education and ability to give learners the educational space they need to learn, grow and explore their futures. The Orchards Elementary community in Lewiston has directly benefitted from Cornell’s ability to combine solid best practices with innovation and creativity to meet the needs of each individual student. 

The 2026 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. The winner will also serve as Idaho’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year and represent Idaho at several national Teacher of the Year events.

Info: sde.idaho.gov/events/teacher-year