As this year comes to a close, one idea rises above the rest for the IDLA team: the heart of this organization is its people. Across every role and every region, staff shared how deeply they value the compassion and commitment they see each day. Communication Specialist Dani Leffler said it best: “This year reminded me how special it is to be part of a team that genuinely cares about Idaho’s youth, about education, and about each other.” Her words capture the spirit that flows through every corner of IDLA.
This sense of care shows most strongly in the people who meet students face-to-face. Elementary Principal Amy Marlowe shared how proud she is of her teachers and teaching assistants who “bring hope, joy, and confidence into [students’] lives.” Teaching Assistant Julie Lerice echoed that message, reflecting on how meaningful it is to build relationships with young learners and help them grow as readers. These moments of connection reveal the heart behind IDLA’s mission.
Across secondary courses, teachers shared similar stories. One digital literacy teacher described discovering new ways to help students learn, explaining, “Old dogs can learn new tricks.” Instructor Josh Dickinson said that seeing students gain confidence this year strengthened “how much I value IDLA’s mission to support students wherever they are.” Even new teachers like Paul Wardwell, who called his first year a “wild experience,” said the support from principals and colleagues helped him get through tough spots.
This year also reminded us that IDLA is a family. When two employees were involved in a car accident, Director of Chaos (also known as Director of District Programs) Monte Woolstenhulme described how others “dropped everything to respond and get to them as quickly as possible.” He said it was a clear example of “the deep commitment to love and care for each other” that shapes the culture at IDLA. Moments like this speak louder than any training or policy ever could.
Even major challenges brought people together. During the facility move, HR and Finance Manager Cynthia Lee said the team survived “with humor, teamwork, and enough coffee runs to keep us going.” Full-time teacher Callie Makiya described the LMS transition by saying, “It truly takes the whole team.” And it did—teachers, developers, engineers, and support staff all put in long hours to make sure Idaho students would benefit.
As we take time to recharge, we are reminded of Instructor Greg Cossette’s reflection on IDLA’s growth from its early beginnings. He said he is proud of how far IDLA has come and believes “the best chapters are yet to come.” This year showed us that hope, heart, and hard work can move mountains. And together, we are ready for the next one.
