Mr. Laren Johnson — Mr. Laren Johnson is introduced to the committee as Idaho's 2026 Teacher of the Year.
Jack Nelsen — Introduced Mr. Johnson and described his teaching background and leadership roles.
Jack Nelsen — The chair is addressed as 'Mr. Chair' and 'Mr. Chairman' during the introduction.
Jack Nelsen — The chair is referenced in the exchange about being back in order.
Jack Nelsen — Referenced as having introduced Mr. Johnson and being quoted by him.
Jack Nelsen — Referenced in a question about what requirements could be reduced and how funding would look.
Laren Johnson — Laren Johnson is introduced as Idaho’s 2026 Teacher of the Year and longtime Rigby High School educator, with background on his leadership roles, service in wildland fire operations, and deep commitment to teaching. In his remarks, he expresses gratitude for the honor, says he loves Idaho, notes his family’s long Idaho roots, and emphasizes the importance of building connections with students. He shares a personal story about struggling in school, being encouraged by Mr. Belknap, and ultimately deciding to become a teacher after seeing the impact of a great educator. He closes by stressing that teaching is about relationships and connection, not just subject matter, and reflects on his many years and thousands of students served.
Dale Hawkins — During the introduction, the chair is addressed as 'Mr. Chairman,' then briefly interrupts to pause the speaker and set the committee at ease before continuing with recognition.
Dale Hawkins — The transcript context suggests the speaker is likely Chair Hawkins, though he is not named in this section.
Bruce Belknap — Bruce Belknap is described as a teacher, counselor, and later principal who profoundly influenced Mr. Johnson. Johnson says Belknap helped and even 'saved' him at Bear Lake High School, noticed him, encouraged him, and went out of his way to support him, including offering to make him a mixtape. Johnson recalls meeting with Belknap late at school and credits him, as a great teacher, with inspiring his own decision to teach.
Robert Hale — Colleague and friend credited in a discussion about preventing students from falling through the cracks.
Future Hispanic Leaders of America students — A group of 22 seniors visited the Wasma Center for Human Rights and were part of a discussion about connections and student support.
unknown speaker — Continues describing a former student who works for the Snake River Hotshots and emphasizing that the work is about the kid, not the subject.
James Woodward — Mentioned as a relationship partner in teaching and Holocaust education work. Not identified as a legislator in the member list.
Jessica Westoff — Described as a collaborator at the Walsmouth Center for Human Rights and a fellow in Germany.
John Poole — Described as a collaborator from BYU-Idaho helping spread Holocaust education ideas.
Leslie Younger — Referenced as the organizer of the inaugural Idaho Social Studies Education Fellows.
Karen Miller — Described as a collaborator from Lake Hazel Middle School on lesson development.
Crystal Dunderson — Described as a service-learning expert whose school supports families at Christmas.
Michelle Youngquist — Mentioned as being from the Idaho Forestry Products Commission.
David Reeser — Described as a veteran teacher at Madison High School who collaborates on Holocaust education.
Allie — Speaker's daughter, who graduated from Idaho State University and received a full ride.
Dalton — Speaker's son, introduced as part of the family example supporting the speaker's argument.
Professor Corey Bennett — Described as mentoring the speaker's daughter and helping her with international studies.
Karen LaunchBob — Identified as the daughter's principal and a former student; name is uncertain in the transcript.
Dalton Johnson — Speaker's son, who works for the Natural Resource Conservation Service in Moscow and earned degrees from the University of Idaho.
Michael Feik — Michael Feik is described as a great friend and teacher connected to the yearbook staff. The discussion continues by identifying him as a teacher and yearbook staff advisor, noting that the staff is large, actively taking pictures, and capturing everything on film.
Emmy Curtis — Emmy Curtis is introduced as the person who nominated the speaker for recognition, and the speaker explains that she contracted cancer last year, lost her hair during treatment, but beat the disease and is now in full remission.
Soñia Galaviz — Representative So ia Galaviz thanked Mr. Johnson and praised him as an example of the positive impact strong teacher-student relationships can have. Mr. Johnson responded appreciatively to her remarks.
Soñia Galaviz — Representative So ia Galaviz was called on and then asked whether, if the waiver is approved, districts would still be able to double test and what latitude they would have to continue doing so if they choose.
Dave Lent — Dave Lent is addressed as Chairman/Mr. Chairman during the committee’s transition into questions, with brief acknowledgments from the exchange.
Dave Lent — Dave Lent thanked the chair for the opportunity to present and then indicated he was available to answer questions.
Mr. Johnson — Mr. Johnson is thanked for his testimony and praised for his positive impact on students, with repeated expressions of appreciation before the meeting moves to the next presenter.
Barbara Ehardt — Barbara Ehardt makes a joking, lighthearted comment about Jessica’s name, playfully suggesting a possible spelling/wordplay, and then thanks Mr. Thomas/Johnson as the exchange wraps up.
Barbara Ehardt — Barbara Ehardt is acknowledged at the end of the presentation and then immediately asks whether ISAT results are only used in Idaho or are accepted in other states.
Mr. Thomas — Thanked by Representative Ehardt.
Jessica Ehardt — Referenced in a joking exchange about whether her name is Erhardt or E. Hart.
Debbie Critchfield — Debbie Critchfield explains that Idaho has spent years working with the State Board of Education to reduce federal education burdens and gain more control over assessment, reporting, and other regulations. She traces the effort back to her 2014 appointment to the State Board, describes how states were encouraged to explore waivers, and notes that Idaho could not eliminate tests but could look for alternative ways to meet goals. She says the current federal environment may now allow Idaho to move forward with changes discussed for years. Critchfield then outlines Idaho’s broader review of district, charter, and state reporting requirements, emphasizing that the state will not ask schools to do anything not required by state or federal law and will avoid adding burden amid staffing and budget pressures. She concludes by introducing EdFlex as a possible federal designation that could give Idaho and local districts more flexibility and reduce bureaucracy.
Clay Handy — Asked about an AI protocol and what the superintendent and Senator Cook hope to accomplish.
Kevin Cook — Kevin Cook is discussed as part of an ongoing AI policy effort: he and the speaker have been working together on presenting an AI protocol, and he is also noted to already have a bill related to the same AI issue.
Michael Veile — Michael Veile asked why the waiver proposal applies specifically to third-grade reading rather than other subjects. The superintendent responded that third-grade reading is singled out because it is the grade where the state has also mandated a test.