Dr. Becky Sundin, 2018 Idaho Teacher of the Year, Announces Campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction

Today, Dr. Becky Sundin, the 2018 Idaho Teacher of the Year and a longtime Idaho educator, announced her candidacy for Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction.

“Idaho families want public schools that work, and they want a leader who will fight for them,” said Sundin. “I’m running to be that leader, focused on results like stronger reading outcomes and making sure every student gets the support they need, including fully funded special education.”

Sundin has lived and taught in Idaho since 2009 and has spent more than two decades in education. A graduate of Northwest Nazarene University (1998), she earned a master’s degree in science education from Montana State University-Bozeman (2005) and an Ed.D. in curriculum, instruction and assessment from Walden University (2022).

In 2018, Sundin was selected as Idaho Teacher of the Year, chosen from a field of more than 18,000 teachers statewide. During her year as Teacher of the Year, she represented Idaho’s educators at the White House, met with then–U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, and elevated Idaho education on national stages. In Idaho, she has served on commissions and spoken before the Idaho Senate Education Committee and the State Board of Education.

Sundin has taught grades 6–12 in both traditional public schools and public charter schools. She has led English and science classrooms, taught dual-credit courses that helped students earn college credit before graduation, and served as an instructional coach and faculty lead in online instruction. She helped build a robotics program that grew into competitive FIRST teams and mentored students through the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars program.

“Dr. Sundin is a career classroom teacher who has done the work, day in and day out, for Idaho kids,” said Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea. “That’s a clear contrast with the current Superintendent, who has never been a full-time classroom teacher. Idaho students and educators deserve leadership from someone who understands what it takes from the front of the room.”

Sundin’s commitment to Idaho schools is personal. All three of her adult children graduated from a Caldwell K–12 school before continuing on to the University of Idaho, Boise State University, the College of Western Idaho, and the College of Idaho. As the mother of a son with autism, she has seen firsthand how fully funded special education services can change a child’s life and strengthen a family.

Throughout her career, Sundin has been a strong advocate for equitable access to high-quality public education, professional respect and support for teachers, and policies that strengthen public schools. She is known for her collaborative approach, thoughtful leadership, and dedication to expanding student opportunity, regardless of background or zip code.

Sundin enters the race as Idaho public schools face growing pressure from voucher schemes and renewed political attacks on the federal resources that help students succeed. Idaho families need a Superintendent who will speak plainly and fight for neighborhood schools. The current Superintendent has not met that moment.

“I’ve seen the best of what Idaho public education can offer, and I’ve seen what happens when politics gets in the way of serving students,” said Sundin. “Instead of distractions and rapid rule changes, we should be using data to improve instruction, funding schools responsibly, and building schools where every student is prepared for college, careers, and the future.”