Rural public schools are more than places where students learn. They are often the heart of their communities. But rural educators face distinct challenges, from staffing shortages and competition for educators across state lines to limited resources and political decisions that don't always reflect the realities of their schools.

In this episode of the IEA Reporter Podcast, IEA President Peggy Hoy and newly elected National Education Association President Princess Moss join host Mike Journee during Moss' visit to North Idaho.

They discuss what rural educators need to thrive, why listening directly to educators matters, and how stronger organizing and deeper connections with communities can give educators a more powerful voice in decisions affecting their schools.

Moss and Hoy also talk about educator recruitment and retention, school funding and resources, vouchers, the impact of House Bill 516, and why educators shouldn't be afraid to tell their stories and use their professional expertise to advocate for their students and public schools.

As Moss puts it: rural public schools aren't problems to solve. They're communities to invest in.

What does the future of the Idaho Education Association look like in the wake of House Bill 516?

In this episode of the IEA Reporter Podcast, we visit with Peggy Hoy, the newly elected incoming president of the Idaho Education Association, as she prepares to begin her term leading Idaho's largest union.

Peggy reflects on more than 30 years as an educator and union leader, discusses how HB 516 is changing the way IEA serves and connects with members, and explains why she sees this moment as an opportunity to build a stronger, more engaged organization. She also shares how the relationship-based organizing that fueled the successful May Matters campaign can help shape the union's future.

Whether you're an IEA member or simply care about Idaho's public schools, this conversation offers an inside look at the challenges, opportunities, and vision guiding the association into its next chapter.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

In this episode, the student mental health crisis gripping Idaho public schools and the challenges it poses for educators and policy makers. Our guest is Darcie DeLeon, an IEA board member and school counselor in Twin Falls, Idaho. 

In this episode, we discuss Week 7 of the Idaho Legislature, including final legislative approval of Idaho's first voucher bill, House Bill 93. We also talk to IEA member and Rigby High School librarian, Heidi Robbins, about the impact of 2024 library legislation and IEA's new Library Committee.

Host: Mike Journee

This week we take a brief look at Week 4 of the 2025 Idaho Legislature and take a deep dive on the current state of the voucher debate. Guests are Quinn Perry, associate executive director at the Idaho School Boards Association and Chris Parri, political director at the Idaho Education Association, as well as Matt Compton, IEA's associate executive director.

Host: Mike Journee