Idaho EdNews Podcasts
Episode 97: A conversation with Joshua Whitworth
As the new executive director of the State Board of Education, Joshua Whitworth has one of the most high-profile jobs in state government. He also has one of the most varied resumes in state government: from ranching and college football to party politics and tracking the state’s finances. In this podcast, Kevin Richert and Ryan…
Episode 96: A postsession conversation with Debbie Critchfield
Kevin Richert and Ryan Suppe interview state superintendent Debbie Critchfield about what happened — and didn’t happen — with proposals that were on her radar for the 2024 session.
Episode 95: Previewing a pivotal legislative session
The 2024 legislative session opens Monday, with a cornucopia of education topics on the plate.
Ep. 20: A science teacher’s dream PD — an expedition to Patagonia
Misha Smith, a sixth grade teacher at Boise’s Hawthorne Elementary, tells us about a science teacher’s professional development dream: going on an expedition to Patagonia.
Episode 94: Boise State’s capital campaign … and more
In October, Boise State University unveiled “Unbridled,” its most ambitious fundraising campaign to date. Where would the $500 million go? And how does it fit into the big picture of Boise State’s budget? This week, Kevin Richert interviews Boise State President Marlene Tromp; Matthew Ewing, Boise State’s vice president for university advancement; and Jeremiah Shinn,…
Episode 19: Meeting Idaho’s 2024 Teacher of the Year, Trent Van Leuven
Idaho’s 2024 teacher of the year, Trent Van Leuven, talks about the “Golden Age” of CTE education and how to recruit and retain rural teachers.
Episode 93: Talking with trustees
One week after school board elections across Idaho, trustees gathered in Boise for the annual Idaho School Boards Association convention. Kevin Richert caught up with three trustees — Nancy Gregory of Boise, Jason Knopp of Melba and Starr Olsen of Dietrich — to talk about the elections, the upcoming legislative session and the role of…
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. She says the political climate, public distrust, and close-mindedness drove her away. In this episode, she tells us more about her decision to leave the state and a profession she loved.
Episode 92: Covering a lot of political landscape
Kevin talks politics with BSU Political Science professor Stephanie Witt
Episode 17: How to make students really, truly love learning? Misha Smith has answers.
In this episode, award-winning teacher Misha Smith talks about how she uses field trips, big questions, and projects with real-world impact to fuel student curiosity and excitement. Plus, she reflects on two recent awards she won — including one that will send her around the tip of South America.