Idaho Department of Education

Public Education is an ideal that Americans have maintained for hundreds of years. In Idaho, our public schools accept ALL youth and promote literacy, growth & grit. Our educated citizenry is an essential part of maintaining a healthy democratic republic. This #PublicSchoolsWeek we want to thank #educators, #families and every #Idahoan who helps ensure our kids are #literate, #logical & #informed. We also celebrate the #LocalControl and #SchoolChoice that keep #Idaho schools current, responsive & continuously optimized. #PSW24 #PublicSchoolProud #K12education

**NEWS RELEASE** Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield announces Wendy Moore as director of the North Idaho Regional Support Center. “I hope that North Idaho’s educational communities will tap into the amazing resources that the Regional Support Center and Wendy have to offer,” said Superintendent Critchfield. “Bringing in the right people for the job has been a major priority for me since taking office, and I’m confident that with this hire we have made a great choice for Idaho students.” Moore began her career as an educator 30 years ago in... 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gpkiXjHD

“Before her days as an administrator, Meghan Wonderlich spent nearly a decade in as an educator in high school math classrooms. She says she knows all too well how one-on-one mentorship could be the secret to success for teachers and their students.” Content and Curriculum Director at the Idaho Department of Education, Meghan Wonderlich was recently interviewed by Boise State Public Radio's George Prentice to talk about the state’s just-unveiled mentorship program and how new Idaho teachers can access it. Listen 🎧 🎧 https://ow.ly/PTOh50SVY4Z Apply ⬇️ ➡️ https://ow.ly/x8iM50SVY4Y

Superintendent Debbie Critchfield teamed up with a few colleagues (and some familiar faces) to shine a light on education resources provided by Idaho PTV. Including... ⭐ PBS LearningMedia Idaho Standards-aligned K-12 lesson plans & videos! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g2NrKa_Y ⭐ STEM and Literacy Book an education specialist! 🔗 idahoptv.org/stem ⭐ Storytime in a Box Books and materials for underserved public libraries! 🔗 idahoptv.org/storytime ⭐ Student Reporting and NOVA Studio Public broadcasting mentorships and journalism curricula! 🔗 idahoptv.org/SRL ⭐ Kindergarten Readiness Resources, games and kits! 🔗 idahoptv.org/readiness ⭐ Idaho PTV Parents Customize your child’s learning! 🔗 idahoptv.org/parents 👉 Education Newsletter 👈 Monthly updates on these (and MORE) programs! 🔗 idahoptv.org/ednewsletter

The Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind was established in 1906 and has come a long way since... Learn more about it from Brian Darcy, executive director of the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind in episode 13. "The Super in 10” explores events and issues related to K-12 education in Idaho. 🍎 https://lnkd.in/gR9weHAi

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ White Pine Charter Schools in Ammon just welcomed students back to school, and back to a new secondary school building—despite a burst water pipe flooding the site in July. "Through some extraordinary work and the talent of many people beyond me, we're able to open this building," said White Pine's Director of Schools, Ron Cote. "So we've got everybody here on the same campus.” The new facility raises total capacity to 775 students, according to the Idaho Falls Post Register. White Pine Charter School is eastern Idaho’s first charter school. In 2019, it started a STEM Academy for junior high and high school students. Today, White Pine Charter Schools serves students in grades K–12. The STEM Academy also reaches out to underserved students who may not traditionally consider a STEM education to give them exposure and provide opportunities to explore these subjects. “We feel like this is a gap that is important to fill, particularly with the Idaho National Laboratory right in our backyard,” Cote said. We’re so excited to see the good work you’ll do this year, White Pine Charter Schools!! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Read more via the Post Register: https://lnkd.in/dRdPA5vs

We just know it’s going to be a great school year! Even in our department’s latest all-staff meeting, the smiles were irrepressible. As students continue to make their way back to schools today (and over the next few weeks), please remember that our education experts are always a phone call or email away—standing by to help support Idaho’s education community. #Idaho #K12education #backToSchool

Summer is over but you can still hear from Idaho Falls educator Julie Nawrocki about how Idaho educators #keepLearning over a break! Listen to episode 12 anywhere podcasts are streamed. 😎 “The Super in 10” is for Idaho parents, teachers, administrators, and anyone with an interest in the state's K-12 education landscape. 🍎 https://lnkd.in/gR9weHAi

Superintendent Debbie Critchfield (left) is accompanied by Idaho Department of Education CFO Gideon Tolman (center) and Chief of Staff Greg Wilson (right), as they travel to a series of post-legislative tours held in every region of the state in the spring of 2024. Each tour was an opportunity to speak directly with K-12 education administrators and demystify policy changes made during the legislative session. This year, Superintendent Critchfield scheduled additional school visits around each tour location in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston and Boise. With school resuming over the next few weeks, it's only a matter of time before the superintendent will get back behind the wheel to visit schools, shining a light on students/teachers and listening to Idaho families talk about their K-12 education experiences.

Our department’s coordinator for the arts, world languages, gifted and talented, P.E. and health is Rebecca Martin. Earlier this month, Rebecca took a week of vacation to mentor young musicians at the annual Sun Valley Music Festival Institute. This festival has been going strong for close to 40 years, providing the local community with admission-free performances from world-class musicians. 🎶 What is the institute? Students at all levels—from second graders to advanced college undergraduates—interact with Festival musicians, guest artists, and fellow students who share their passion for classical music. Participants travel from across the country to hone their skills, develop their artistic sensibilities, and make music (and new friends). 🎵 What are people saying? “Mrs. Martin, our daughter took part in the Sun Valley Music Institute this last week and I wanted to thank you for putting forth such an amazing program for the Philharmonic group. This was her first experience with an orchestra camp, and she walked away excited for next year. What you and the other instructors brought forth was more than just a great performance. You helped inspire our daughter and build her confidence and for that I am so grateful! Thank you for investing your skills and time into the lives of the youth you worked with!” We’re so proud of you, Rebecca! 👏 Keep shining your light on opportunities for aspiring artists in Idaho!