Boise teacher Kari Overall has been elected president of the Idaho Education Association following statewide voting from association members. She succeeds Penni Cyr, who is retiring after six years as IEA president. Overall’s three-year term begins Aug. 1.
Overall teaches U.S. history at South Junior High School in the Boise School District and has a long track record of leadership in local and national teachers unions.
“I look forward to working with our amazing members and education professionals across the state to advocate for students, teachers and public education,” Overall said in a press release.
Overall has served on the IEA’s board of directors for the last 11 years, including the first seven years as a region representative. For the last five years, she has served as the elected National Education Association’s director for IEA, serving as a board member on the NEA’s board of directors. She has also been an active member of the Boise Education Association, serving as a building representative for 12 years and as a member of the BEA executive board for eight years.
“The Idaho Education Association is in great hands with Kari as our next president,” Cyr said. “Kari is a dedicated professional educator and has a wealth of experience — in the classroom, with the association, and on the policy front.”
Overall just completed her 13th year as a teacher at South Junior High. She is a graduate of Boise High School, and has an Associates of Arts Degree from Ricks College and a Bachelor of Arts (History) degree from the University of Idaho. She has also earned her Master of Arts in Education, with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction, from Lesley University.
“Idaho has been my home since I was eight years old, and I have a passion and appreciation for this great state,” Overall said. “Supporting and protecting public education is the lynchpin to growth and prosperity here, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that every child has access to a quality public education and a well-trained professional teacher.”
Overall and her husband, LJ, live in Boise and have two daughters, Addi, 5, and Sylvia, 1.
