Heather Efaw is committed to high standards and fostering a joyful school atmosphere at Future Public School, a charter school where she serves as principal to students from kindergarten through sixth grade. Efaw began her Future Public School career as a literacy coach before assuming roles as assistant principal and now principal. As an education leader in her school and community, she advocates for every student, empowering learners to soar to their fullest potential both academically and socially.
Future Public School has seen significant academic growth under the guidance of Efaw and her teaching and learning team, having exceeded state performance on the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI), the ISAT literacy assessment, and in math, according to 2022-23 results. These achievements are driven by strong fidelity to the effective implementation of curricular resources, data review and analysis, classroom coaching, and content-specific professional development. Efaw has built trusted relationships with her faculty and leveraged staff members’ talents to implement instructional best practices, leading to high teacher satisfaction and retention.
As a complement to the school’s rigorous academic program, Efaw has adeptly led the management of summer camps and tutoring programs. A proactive and continuous learner, Efaw actively participates in the Noble School Leader Fellowship, a one-year, cohort-based principal exposure and professional development program.
Efaw’s commitment to leadership extends into the community. She actively engages with the Garden City Early Learning Collaborative, a local organization working to enhance affordable, high-quality learning opportunities for children and families through the expansion of resources and community engagement. Efaw has collaborated with Cultivating Readers for Leaders, a state-run program, and has presented at Federal Programs conferences. Her involvement with Girls on the Run, an organization inspiring empowerment through building confidence, kindness and decision-making skills, underscores her dedication to community enrichment. Efaw also serves as an advisory board member for a local preschool, the Idaho Way Collaborative, and is a mentor with Teach for America Idaho, providing regular professional development and coaching for early-career teachers aspiring to become mentors themselves.
Efaw earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science and criminal justice in 2007 from Saint Martin’s University, a Master of Arts in elementary education from Arizona State University in 2010 and a Master of Arts in educational administration from the University of Idaho in 2021.
Press release: Garden City Principal Recognized as One of Nation’s Best with Surprise $25,000 Milken Educator Award
