Nominate 2006 Teacher of the Year, win big!

The nomination process for the 2006 South Dakota Teacher of the Year is now open. Each year, the Department of Education recognizes one outstanding South Dakota educator. That educator goes on to represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

As South Dakota’s 2005 Teacher of the Year, Jensi Kellogg-Andrus of Watertown received numerous prizes, including:

• One year’s use of a new vehicle from Sharp Chevrolet in Watertown;
• $14,000 package of electronic equipment for her classroom;
• $2,500 from Citibank;
• $2,500 from the South Dakota Community Foundation; and
• $1,000 from the Board of Regents.

Districts can participate in the 2006 Teacher of the Year program by selecting a local winner. Districts are asked to form a selection committee of 9 to 11 people to review nominations, which can be made by fellow teachers, parents, students and members of the community. A sample “Local TOY Nomination Form” is available online. The deadline to announce your local winner is May 20.

Following the local announcement, winners have until July 1 to submit their applications for the state competition. A panel of educational professionals reviews applications at the state level, and the South Dakota TOY is announced in November. 

A TOY candidate should demonstrate the following qualities:

• Be an exceptionally skilled and dedicated teacher from a state-approved or accredited school, preK-12;
• Be planning to continue in an active teaching status (supervisory and administrative responsibilities are secondary considerations);
• Have the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues;
• Play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school;
• Be poised, articulate and have the energy to withstand the demanding schedule that would accompany selection as the state TOY; and
• Have a superior ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.

For further information, contact Nicole Kranzler at the Department of Education, (605) 773-3426. nicole.kranzler@state.sd.us.

Looking for education’s best and brightest

The Department of Education seeks the names of outstanding educators for its “Emerging Classroom Leaders Pool.” Nominees should exhibit strong leadership and an inspiring presence. The department hopes to use these educators as future resources for advisory boards, task forces and special recognition programs. For this reason, recommendations must be confidential. The deadline for recommendations is May 1.

Eligible educators must:

• Be classroom teachers, specialists or principals (building-level personnel);
• Have served in education for at least five years;
• Exhibit strong potential for professional leadership and an inspiring presence that impacts students, colleagues and communities;
• Be recognized by peers and supervisors as unique because of their local contributions, and
• Have not previously received other recognition.

To recommend an educator:

1. Download a recommendation form for each nominee and provide confidential, succinct and specific information. All questions must be answered;
2. Write a one-page recommendation that addresses how the nominee meets the criteria outlined above; and
3. Obtain a copy of the candidate’s resume, if possible.

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