Too often, we don’t take time to celebrate our successes and honor those who do an outstanding job. South Dakota’s Teacher of the Year program provides administrators with a vehicle for recognizing outstanding educators. (See sidebar on 2006 South Dakota Teacher of the Year Barbara Dowling.)

The Department of Education is currently accepting nominations for the 2007 South Dakota Teacher of the Year. Each district should select a local Teacher of the Year by May 12. These nominations are forwarded to the Education Service Agency for the region. Each ESA is responsible for selecting a final candidate for its region, and these final seven candidates will vie for Teacher of the Year at the state level.

Beyond the sense of professional accomplishment this award brings to teachers, the recipient also receives some great gifts. South Dakota’s 2006 Teacher of the Year Barbara Dowling received the following:

• $17,000 technology package from the SMARTer Kids Foundation

• Use of a vehicle for one year, Billion Automotive, Sioux Falls

•  $3,000 cash award, South Dakota Community Foundation

• $3,000 cash award, Citibank, Sioux Falls

• $1,000 honorarium for Teacher of the Year to present a series of professional development seminars, South Dakota Board of Regents

• $200 gift card, South Dakota Retailer’s Association

• $50 gift certificate, Empire/Empire East, Sioux Falls

• $50 gift certificate, Downtown Sioux Falls 

To learn more about the Teacher of the Year program in South Dakota, visit the department’s Web site or call Nicole Kranzler-Gacke at (605) 773-3426. nicole.kranzler-gacke@state.sd.us.