Boise Schools: Our Values in Action, Our Community’s Reasons for Pride

Boise School District is thrilled to celebrate Amanda Holland, a first- and second-grade teacher at Washington Elementary School, as the 2027 CapEd Credit Union Idaho Teacher of the Year! Selected from nearly 200 nominees statewide, Holland was surprised with the award during an October 7 ceremony at her school.

This prestigious honor recognizes the dedication, creativity and care Holland brings to her students and colleagues. For more than 20 years, she has helped students grow as learners, build confidence and feel a strong sense of belonging.

At Washington Elementary, Holland encourages students to explore ideas, share their thinking and learn from one another through the Building Thinking Classrooms model. Her commitment extends beyond academics: she helps children feel known, valued and connected.

As the school’s Belonging Lead, Holland worked with fifth- and sixth-grade students on a project that spotlighted all 279 Washington students, highlighting their interests, families and sources of pride. She also mentors teacher interns and student teachers, helping prepare the next generation of educators.

“What truly sets Mrs. Holland apart is her commitment to her students’ overall well-being,” said Washington Elementary Principal Sean Sup.

Holland will represent Idaho educators at local and national events throughout 2027 and participate in the National Teacher of the Year program, bringing her experience and passion for teaching to a national audience.

We are so proud of Amanda and grateful for the difference she makes every day. Please join us in congratulating her on this remarkable achievement – a well-deserved recognition of her service to students, families and fellow educators.

Timberline High School counselor Beverly Glouser (pictured left in the adjacent photo) has been named Idaho School Counselor of the Year, earning statewide recognition for her work supporting students.

Glouser was selected to receive the award during the Idaho School Counselor Association meeting on October 5 at the Boise Center on the Grove, held as part of the Waypoint Conference.

Boise School District Supervisor of Counseling Services Jason Shanks celebrated the announcement, describing Glouser as “soooo well deserving.”

Please join Boise School District in congratulating Beverly on this outstanding honor and thanking her for her service to Timberline students and families!

Boise School District is proud to celebrate Kim Jeffrey, (pictured) who has received the 2026 School Psychologist of the Year Award from the Idaho School Psychologist Association. The award recognizes exceptional expertise, advocacy and dedication to students, families and colleagues.

At Boise Online School, Kim looks beyond assessment scores and academic challenges to understand each student as an individual. Her thoughtful approach helps ensure students have a voice and meaningful opportunities to succeed.

Colleagues describe Kim as a trusted problem-solver and generous mentor whose calm presence, patience and professionalism help teams navigate challenging situations. Her compassion and commitment strengthen the support students and families receive every day.

Congratulations, Kim, on this outstanding recognition! Boise School District is grateful for the care, expertise and dedication you bring to our school community.

Two Boise School District school psychologists have earned 2026 awards from the Idaho School Psychologist Association (ISPA), recognizing their lasting contributions to students, families and the profession.

Robin Thurber (pictured right in the adjacent photo) received the Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring a career dedicated to advancing school psychology. With more than 21 years of service in public education and educational agencies, Robin has helped educators across Idaho strengthen student evaluations and support. Her contributions include statewide training in using student data, professional development on autism assessments and co-development of initial state guidance for evaluating and supporting multilingual English learners.

Robin’s work reflects deep compassion and a commitment to helping families feel informed and included throughout the evaluation process.

Catherine McArthur (pictured) received the President’s Award, recognizing extraordinary dedication, leadership and service to ISPA. As Board Treasurer, Catherine has strengthened the association’s financial practices through careful budgeting, expense tracking and accountability. She also devoted significant time and attention to planning the association’s conference, helping create a meaningful professional learning experience for members.

Congratulations, Robin and Catherine! Boise School District is proud to celebrate your achievements and the difference you make for students, families and colleagues across Idaho.

Hawthorne Elementary School physical education teacher Michael “Mike” Cummings (pictured right in the adjacent photo) has been named SHAPE Idaho’s Elementary Teacher of the Year, recognizing his outstanding contributions to physical education and health.

Cummings was honored at the organization’s recent conference for creating positive learning environments where students feel supported, challenged and successful. His nominations highlighted his dedication to improving his teaching, collaborating with colleagues and mentoring future educators.

Colleagues praised Cummings for listening carefully, sharing ideas and helping others grow. His work in schools, universities and the community has made a lasting impact on students and fellow educators.

Please join Boise School District in congratulating Cummings on this well-deserved recognition!

Upper-level French students from Boise High School and Capital High School will join students from across Idaho for the first Idaho French Immersion Day on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Boise State University.

The event will give students opportunities to practice speaking French through friendly competitions, games and activities celebrating French-speaking cultures. Participants will also hear from guest speaker and humanities scholar Alain-Philippe Durand.

Organized in partnership with the Villa Albertine Foundation and supported by local French-speaking volunteers, the day will connect students from different schools while bringing their language learning to life.

Community members came together on September 22 and 23 to learn about Boise School District’s preliminary Long-Range Facilities Master Planning scenarios and concepts, ask questions and share their perspectives. The conversation continues with the Scenarios & Concepts Survey, open through October 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.

The facilities plan will guide how our District serves students and neighborhoods over the next five, 10 and 15 years. Enrollment has declined, many school buildings have more space than they need, and maintenance costs are growing. Your feedback will help us consider how to provide strong educational opportunities and learning environments while using public resources responsibly.

No final decisions have been made. The scenarios and concepts are preliminary. Survey responses will help our District understand community priorities and concerns, refine options for further review and inform a future recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

You do not need to have attended a meeting to participate. Review the meeting presentation and supporting information, then share what matters most to you, your students and your neighborhood.

Take the Scenarios & Concepts Survey by October 18 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time. Your voice is an important part of the process and will help shape the future of Boise schools.

Ada County Elections has approximately 100–120 student poll worker positions available for the November 3 election, offering high school students an opportunity to earn $175, gain experience and serve their community.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old by Election Day. Students will work in a technical support role, build their résumés and receive a certificate of recognition. Participation is also eligible for community service hours.

The Election Day commitment is 6:45 a.m.–9:30 p.m., with one mandatory training session on October 17, 22 or 24. Additional eligibility and setup requirements apply.

How can students help build a more connected, supportive school community? Boise School District Supervisor of Counseling Services Jason Shanks and Riverglen Junior High School Social Worker Michelle Weickum explore that question on The Mindful Mic, a podcast produced by Children’s Home Counseling Services. Their episode, “Leading With Hope: Inside the Hope Squad Movement,” highlights student leadership, peer support and school belonging.

Hope Squad members learn to recognize when classmates may need help, offer encouragement and connect them with trusted adults. Students serve as a bridge to support, with adults responsible for providing care and addressing concerns.

Families and community members are invited to listen to the podcast episode and learn more about how students help create a culture of connection and hope.

Your next favorite hobby – or a new friendship – could start with a Community Education class! Boise School District’s Fall 2026 session offers hundreds of affordable opportunities to explore cooking, arts, fitness, gardening, languages, technology and more.

There’s still time to join the fun, with classes continuing through October 22 at Riverglen Junior High, Timberline High, West Junior High, other Treasure Valley locations and online. Whether you come with a friend or meet someone new, you’ll find opportunities to build skills and connect with others who share your interests.

For 55 years, Community Education has brought neighbors together through learning. Help keep that tradition thriving by signing up and inviting someone to join you!

Visit boiselearns.org, explore available classes and register today!

Great things happen across Boise Schools every day. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for a look at classroom learning, student achievements, school celebrations and the people who make our district special.

See a story that makes you proud? Like it and share it with friends and family to help celebrate our students and staff. 💙

Facebook: @BoiseSchoolDistrict

Instagram: @boiseschools