31st Annual Simplot Teacher of the Year Finalist for 2024

Please join us in congratulating Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year finalist, Shawn Ruth. Ms. Ruth teaches 10th grade English and Drama at Century High School.

This year, the Simplot Education Council received 2,377 nominations for 398 teachers in Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25. Finalists will be featured daily through Thursday, May 9, 2024. Three Simplot Inspirational Teacher Awards will be announced on Friday, May 10, 2024 – one for a teacher at the elementary, middle and high school levels. In addition, 5 finalists have been selected for each category and each will be awarded a $100 check. The Simplot Inspirational Teacher Award Recipients of 2024 will each be presented a $500 check on behalf of the Council.

“I have had the privilege of working with Shawn Ruth for the past seven years at Century High School. In this time I have noted Shawn’s dedication to her profession and her efforts to ensure both high rigor and high levels of care for her students.  Shawn plans lessons that challenge her students in a way that they learn and grow.  My own daughter had Ms. Ruth and still talks about several lessons or concepts that have helped her in her life – both in her education post high school and her personal life.  Some of the things she and other students who I now have in my junior English classes note about Ms. Ruth includes her ability to help them connect literature to their real-life empathy for those in similar situations, her dedication and skills to ensure students can communicate in written responses, and the high level of Rigor to ensure they are prepared for advanced courses and college.

The most noteworthy thing I’d like to say about Shawn is her ability to see students for who they are and extend love and care that lets them know she is an advocate for them. She is able to do this while maintaining a professional, but empathetic perspective to support her students to meet their goals. I admire that she is able to balance high expectations while also extending care and support that can encourage determination and an ability to persevere through challenges.

Shawna Ruth is an excellent teacher and deserves her efforts to be recognized after a long career of ensuring her students are well prepared, supported, and mentored.  She is one of the best!” Arynne Hoge