Idaho gets first teacher in National Teachers Hall of Fame

Retired Nampa art teacher Jennifer de Grassi Williams — twice Idaho Teacher of the Year and once Idaho Retired Art Teacher of the Year— is one of five educators from across the nation picked for the 25th induction class.

“I am so lucky,” says Williams. “There are thousands of teachers just in Idaho who deserve this award. I stand on their shoulders. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today.”

After a career of more than 40 years, she retired from Skyview High School in 2004, but still is actively involved in art outreach in little Idaho schools through her Project “Van Go.” Williams was given the national award at a surprise gathering of her friends, family and colleagues at River City Coffee on Thursday afternoon.

“Mrs. Williams represents what is great in American education,” said Mark Andrews, trustee for the Hall of Fame, who flew in for the ceremony. The story of the inductees’ careers will be on permanent display at the National Teachers Hall of Fame Museum in Emporia, Kansas. Inductees will go to Emporia and Kansas City, Mo., for induction events and to a reception at the National Education Association headquarters in Washington, D.C.

This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 7:27 PM with the headline "Idaho gets first teacher in National Teachers Hall of Fame."