Outstanding educators

The Coeur d’Alene School District has announced its four teachers of the year.

Kevin Mahoney, a math teacher at Venture High School, received the 2022 Teacher of the Year award for Coeur d’Alene Public Schools.

Mahoney was named the High School Teacher of the Year, and also the overall outstanding educator to represent the district over the coming year. He is the nominee for Idaho Teacher of the Year.

Mahoney has taught in the district for almost five years, and previously taught at Post Falls High School. He said both of his parents were teachers as well, and he grew up understanding how rewarding it can be to have an impact on students every day.

“Above all else, I am a believer in developing positive relationships with my students,” Mahoney said. “Doing so fosters more growth in students, both personally and academically.”

Mahoney spearheaded the wellness program at Venture that exposes students to extracurricular activities, as well as started an after-school art club and is an adviser for the school leadership team.

Other teachers of the year include Elementary Teacher of the Year Priscilla Walsh, a second-grade teacher at Hayden Meadows Elementary School; Middle School Teacher of the Year Ben Dodson, a language arts teacher at Canfield Middle School; and Rookie Teacher of the Year Meg Westrup, a fifth-grade teacher at Hayden Meadows Elementary School.