A Timberlake Junior High School health and physical education teacher was awarded Idaho’s 2020 Teacher of the Year on Thursday.
Governor Brad Little and Superintendent Sherri Ybarra surprised Stacie Lawler in her classroom to announce she had won.
Lawler was chosen from six finalists by a panel.
CBS 2 News reports, she will now serve as a spokesperson and representative for Idaho educators and travel to Washington, D.C., as the state’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year.
Lawler said her key mission and message as Idaho Teacher of the Year will be to combat the stigma surrounding mental health.