Episode 18: Why Idaho’s 2023 Teacher of the Year left the state — and K-12 education

Last summer, Karen Lauritzen made national headlines for being named Idaho’s 2023 Teacher of the Year — then leaving it all behind.

The former fourth-grade teacher says the political climate, public distrust, and closed-mindedness drove her away.

In this episode, she tells us more about her decision to leave the state and a profession she loved.

Carly Flandro

Carly Flandro

Carly Flandro reports from her hometown of Pocatello. A former English teacher, she covers K-12 education in East Idaho and statewide. You can email her at carly@idahoednews.org.

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