Boise State honors 2025 Pesky Award for Inspirational Teaching winners

Boise State's College of Education will honor two local K-12 teachers with the 15th annual Pesky Award for Inspirational Teaching at the university's winter commencement ceremony on Dec. 20, 2025. The award was founded in 2010 by Alan and Wendy Pesky.

This year's recipients are Elisa Pharris, a reading and math intervention specialist at Jefferson Elementary in Boise, and Justin Fritzley, an acting teacher at Owyhee High School in Meridian.

The award includes $2,000 for each honoree, and $500 is awarded to their respective schools. Pharris and Fritzley will be introduced at commencement and receive their awards on stage.

"We applaud and congratulate Elisa and Justin for their inspiring work in the classroom," said Andrew Finstuen, interim dean of the college. "Teachers are difference makers, and these Pesky award winners exemplify the impact of excellence in education."

"In a world of uncertainty, the importance of education and the role of our teachers is critical to our country's future," said Alan Pesky. "It is my pleasure to recognize this year's Award for Inspirational Teaching recipients."

Elisa Pharris

"Whether Elisa is working with children, families, in-service teachers or our Boise State students, she takes into account each person's strengths and areas for growth," said Sherry Dismuke, associate dean for educator preparation and undergraduate programs at Boise State. "Elisa has dedicated her career to serving some of Boise's most vulnerable families and children with compassion, respect and high expectations."

Pharris credits her sixth grade teacher with inspiring her journey to become an educator herself. Pharris remembers immersing herself in the imaginary world of Narnia while her teacher read C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." She also remembers experiencing a sense of wonder through hands-on science projects like launching rockets and building magnets. Now, along with her colleagues at Jefferson, Pharris enjoys bringing that same sense of wonder to the next generation of students, inspiring future engineers, scientists, authors, explorers and lifelong learners-regardless of their background.

"Many of our students come from countries around the globe, and their presence, cultures, and perspectives enrich our school environment," said Pharris. "All of our staff, from administration and support staff to every teacher, is united in a shared commitment to not only support students' academic growth, but also inspire students to become thoughtful learners who will positively impact the world."

Justin Fritzley

"Justin truly cares about his students. He takes the time to get to know each of his students in order to form a lasting relationship with them," Dismuke said. "He has mentored several of our university's secondary theater education students and is willing to go the extra mile when they need support. Justin does not give up on people - he commits to helping them be the best they can be."

Fritzley's first acting role was a high-stakes opportunity he couldn't say no to.

"My seventh-grade girlfriend threatened to break up with me if I didn't audition for our community theater production," Fritzley said. "I panicked, auditioned, somehow landed a role, and almost 30 years later, I'm still here. So really, my entire career can be traced back to middle-school romance and pure survival instincts."

What kept Fritzley in theater, and what ultimately made him want to become a teacher, are the doors that opened for him through chance or the kindness of others. Fritzley recognized how creating opportunities for others' success can change people's lives - opportunities Fritzley pays forward to his students by sparking joy through acting, supporting their curiosity, and helping younger students transform into confident adults by the time they graduate from his advanced acting class.

"I love working at Owyhee because I get to witness, and contribute to that transformation," he said. "I get to be part of [the students'] story. And honestly, there's nothing more meaningful than that."

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