About the Department

Mission Statement: The South Dakota Department of Education is dedicated to enhancing learning through leadership and service.

800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501
Main phone: (605) 773-3134
Main fax: (605) 773-6139

Email: submit email
NOTE: E-mails sent through this link may not be treated as confidential and may be forwarded to outside parties.

Division of the Secretary - (605) 773-5669

This division is responsible for education leadership at the state level. The Division of the Secretary directs the department's strategic planning, communications efforts and legislative action. The Professional Practices Commissions fall under this area as well.

- Dr. Melody Schopp - Secretary of Education
- Mary Stadick Smith - Operations and Information Director
- Lowell Amiotte - Director of Indian Education
- Steve Fiechtner - Delivery Unit Head
- Ferne Haddock - Legal Assistant
- Holly Farris - Legal Office
- Betty Leidholt - Executive Assistant
- Kodi Odean-Carlin - Information Officer
- Bobbi Rank - Legal Office
- Ruth Raveling - Information Specialist

Division of Assessment and Accountability - (605) 773-3426

This division oversees assessment, accountability, accreditation and certification. Several programs related to teacher and principal evaluation, teacher quality and teacher recognition are also handled by this division.

For any questions relating to certification, e-mail: certification@state.sd.us
For questions relating to accreditation, email: doeaccred@state.sd.us

Division of Career and Technical Education - (605) 773-3423

This division is charged with providing supports for students’ preparations for postsecondary education and the workforce. Services are connected to approved Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, work-based learning, school counseling, SDMyLife, the four SD Technical Institutes and the federal Perkins grant.

- Tiffany Sanderson - Director
- Kim Van Den Hemel - Sr. Secretary
- Nora Kohlenberg - CTE Grants and Data Specialist
- Megan Lahr – Student Services Specialist

SECONDARY CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION
- Erin Larsen – Assistant Director, Secondary Career & Technical Education
- Jane Gubrud – Career Development Specialist
- Alyssa Krogstrand – Career Development Specialist
- Michelle Nelson – Career Development Specialist
- Amber Rost – Career Development Specialist
- Kara Schweitzer – Career Development Specialist
- Brad Scott - Career Development Specialist

POSTSECONDARY CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION
- Keley Smith-Keller - Education Specialist

Division of Educational Services & Support - (605) 773-6400

The division includes most of the federal programs, including Title programs, Child and Adult Nutrition programs, school health and after-school programs. It also encompasses Special Education Programs and the state's Birth to Three program. The state Head Start liaison is housed within this division.

Division of Finance and Management - (605) 773-3248

This division oversees funding provided to schools and other recipients, including state aid, federal grants and contracts. The division is responsible for a host of data collection activities ranging from student and teacher data to school financial data.

- Tamara Darnall - Director
- Brett Arenz - Deputy Director/Contract Supervisor
- Rochelle Kenzy - Contract Manager
- Denise Bowman - Senior Secretary
- Debra Collins - Secretary

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING
- Lisa Rae - Accounting, Budget, and E-Rate Administrator
- Doneen Sanders - Senior Accountant
- DeNeil Taylor - Accountant
- Michelle Rose - Accountant
- Michelle Kronberg - Accountant
- Dohui Kim - Accountant
- Bill Squires - Accounting Assistant
- Stephanie Poppen - Accounting Assistant

DATA MANAGEMENT
- Judy Merriman - Data Management, Administrator
- Angie Bren - Management Analyst
- Randy Hanson - Management Analyst
- Teri Jung - Management Analyst
- Sara Kock - LDS Program Specialist II
- Tom Morth - Management Analyst
- Jennifer Rattling Leaf - Policy/Data Analyst

GRANTS MANAGEMENT
- Rob Huffman - Grants Management - Administrator
- Mark Gageby - Management Analyst
- Janet Penticoff - Policy/Data Analyst
- Cody Stoeser - Program Specialist
- Phyllis Tomkiewicz - Program Specialist
- Danna Sanders - Program Specialist
- Krista Olson - Program Specialist
- Laurie Schumacher - Accounting Assistant

STATE AID AND SCHOOL FINANCE
- Susan Woodmansey - Administrator
- Bobbi Leiferman - Management Analyst

Division of Learning and Instruction - (605) 773-2490

This division oversees academic content standards and instruction, and provides services and supports to districts and schools to support learning and achievement for all students.

- Becky Nelson - Director
- Teresa Berndt - Program Specialist
- Sam Shaw - Program Specialist
- Misty Roberts - Program Specialist
- Sherry Dickerson - Secretary

Division of the State Library - (605) 773-3131

The State Library is responsible for developing public and school library services, providing collections to expand local resources, serving special needs populations (including textbooks for visually impaired students), and providing library services to state government.

View State Library staff directory.