Canyon Ridge High School speech and debate teacher Mrs. Stacie Gardener was named Speech Teacher of the Year in Idaho at the ISATA Conference in Boise. The Idaho Speech Arts Teachers Association (ISATA) Conference was held on the top floor of the Boise Airport from October 6-7.
Mrs. Gardner was nominated for the award by her fellow speech and debate teachers in the Twin Falls School District, and at the ISATA Conference, six teachers from around the state were in the running for Speech and Debate Teacher of the Year. The ISATA members at the conference voted Mrs. Gardner for the honor.
“I was grateful and felt really humbled to be recognized by a group of my peers from around the state. It’s always nice to be recognized for something that you work really hard at doing well,” Mrs. Gardner said. “It doesn’t change anything for me; it validates that what I’m doing means something.”
Madison Pritchard, former CRHS student and assistant debate team coach under Mrs. Gardner, attended the conference and presented a speech about how Mrs. Gardner impacted her.
Mrs. Gardner is continuing to impact students’ lives at CRHS. “[Mrs. Gardner] is really patient. She understands academics and sports and will do whatever she can to make sure you’re succeeding. She has taught me a lot, and is always there for guidance.” said Peyton Saldana, a freshman debate student in Mrs. Gardner’s class. 
“Mrs. Gardner is such a friendly individual, as long as you do your work. She is almost like a second mother,” said Sawyer Bordwell, a freshman debate student in Mrs. Gardner’s class. “She works hard, not only for us to compete, but for us to succeed, and she supports us even if we fail.”
The debate team had their largest tournament of the year at Twin Falls High School the week of December 9, 2023. “So far this year, my students have been extremely successful and I look forward to seeing their continued growth,” said Mrs. Gardner.
