Legislation Week 9 and IEA's Delegate Assembly.

Union Engagement with Dr. Melyssa Ferro

In this episode, we visit with IEA board member and national education award honoree, Dr. Melyssa Ferro, about being a union member. Ferro, science teacher at Syringa Middle School in Caldwell, is a highly decorated educator who is among five honored this weekend as a finalist for the Horace Mann Award by the NEA Foundation. Ferro was Idaho’s 2016 Teacher of the Year and in 2024 was named Teacher of the Year by the Idaho Middle Level Association and was honored as one the Idaho Business Review’s 2024 Women of the Year.

Supreme Court Voucher Challenge

Our topic is the Committee to Protect and Preserve the Idaho Constitution v. State of Idaho, the lawsuit IEA members joined questioning the constitutionality of the tax credit voucher created by 2025’s House Bill 93. Oral arguments in the suit were presented to the Idaho Supreme Court on Jan. 23 and a decision is expected in the coming weeks.  Joining us for the discussion are three representatives of the pro-public education coalition that came together for the suit. They include Cindy Wilson, the Idaho State Director for Mormon Women for Ethical Government and a long time educator, Daniel Mooney, president of the Committee to Protect and Preserve the Idaho Constitution and a Boise attorney, and Paul Stark, executive director of the Idaho Education Association.

Lindsey Smith, Idaho's New NEA Director

In this episode, we talk with Lindsey Smith about her role as Idaho's newly-elected representative on the National Education Association Board of Directors. She's a 16-year veteran educator who teaches gifted education and leadership at Sacagawea Middle School in Lewiston. Lindsey took her seat as NEA Director on September 1. We talk about her new role and the importance of being active in the union's work.

Sarah Inama, Idaho's 'Everyone is Welcome' Educator

In this episode, our guest is Sarah Inama, the former West Ada School District educator who made national and international headlines earlier this year refusing to bow to her school district administration’s directive to take down her classroom poster affirming the importance of inclusion and diversity.  Sarah’s story and her now-famous ‘Everyone is Welcome Here’ poster became a rallying point for those eager to support students, educators and public education.  The IEA Reporter Podcast caught up with Sarah from home during summer break to talk to her about her experiences and what comes next for her.

Legislation Week 9 and IEA's Delegate Assembly.

This week: a legislative update and discussion about IEA's annual Delegate Assembly with IEA President Layne McInelly. Delegate Assembly, the highest governing body of the largest union in Idaho, will be held April 4-5 in Boise.