TEACHER OF THE YEAR: Left state and profession

It is shameful that Idaho’s Teacher of the Year for 2022, Karen Lauritzen, who worked for the Post Falls School District No. 273, was forced from her position and left the profession she loves and the students she taught because of ignorance and prejudice on the part of parents and Internet bloggers. As an ally and activist who supports the rights and privileges of every human being to seek their own potential with the skills and intelligence that God has given them, in this day and age, not respecting these individuals, nor appreciating their God-given potential is the epitome of ignorance and intolerance.

Whether Ms. Lauritzen is an ally, or part of the LGBTQAI community, she has the rights and responsibilities to be the best human being possible. I stand with her in solidarity, as I do with all LGBTQAI people and allies. It is unconscionable and irresponsible to the community to lose such valued, accomplished and recognized exceptional teachers. It is not a surprise that the state of Idaho cannot recruit and retain the professional teachers we so desperately require.

RALPH D. SHAY

Coeur d’Alene