SD Department of Education

About the Department of Education

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

South Dakota Department of Education, 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501
For general inquiries, email doe@state.sd.us or call (605) 773-3134.

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.

- Tiffany Sanderson - Secretary of Education
- Mary Stadick Smith - Deputy Secretary
- Mary Giddings, Secretary
- Ferne Haddock - Legal Assistant
-Joe Moran - Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives
- Kodi Odean-Carlin - Information Officer
- Ruth Raveling - Information Specialist
- Holly Robling - Executive Assistant
- Diane B. Roy – General Counsel
- Amanda LaCroix – Assistant General Counsel

Division of Accreditation, Certification and Data Management - (605) 773-3426

This division oversees school and district accreditation, educator certification, teacher quality and data management.

For questions relating to certification, e-mail: certification@state.sd.us
For questions relating to accreditation, email: doeaccred@state.sd.us
For questions relating to the personnel record form, email: prf@state.sd.us

- Vacant- Division Director
- Chauntel Bolte - Senior Secretary

ACCREDITATION
- Kathy Riedy - Administrator
- Deedra Gesinger - Program Specialist
- Carol Uecker - Program Specialist

EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION
- Carla Leingang - Administrator
- Jacob Carlson - Program Specialist
- Deedra Gesinger - Program Specialist
- Jessica Hahn - Program Specialist
- Julie McCord - Program Specialist
- Jantina Nelson-Stastny - Management Analyst

DATA MANAGEMENT
- Judy Merriman - Administrator
- Clive Bremser - Management Analyst
- Angie Bren - Management Analyst
- Randy Hanson - Management Analyst
- Teri Jung - Management Analyst
- Jennifer Rattling Leaf - Policy/Data Analyst

Project AWARE
-Teresa Rowland - Coordinator

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, Job’s for America’s Graduates and the federal Perkins grant.

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

This division includes such federal programs as Title, Child and Adult Nutrition Services and afterschool programs (21st Century Community Learning Centers). It encompasses Special Education Programs and the state's Birth to Three Program as well. The state Head Start liaison is also housed within this division.

Title Programs - (605) 773-6400
Child and Adult Nutrition Services – (605) 773-3413
21st Century Community Learning Centers – (605) 773-3261
Special Education/Early Intervention – (605) 773-3678

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 collecting a variety of data, including data related to teacher compensation and school finance.

- Cody Stoeser - Director
- Lisa Rae - Deputy Director
- Debra Collins - Secretary
- Michelle Kronberg - Contract and Budget Analyst
- Olivia Waggoner - Contract Manager
- Rochelle Kenzy – Fiscal Monitoring Specialist

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING
- Dawson Huber - Accountant Team Leader
- Corey Bowman - Accountant
- Michelle Rose - Accountant
- Bethany Langenbau - Accountant
- Ian Farnsworth – Accountant
- Bill Squires - Accountant Assistant

GRANTS MANAGEMENT
- Rob Huffman - Administrator
- Mark Gageby - Management Analyst
- Kristina Healey - Program Specialist
- Tacy Kennison - Program Specialist
- Jackie Mattheis – Program Specialist
- Jerika Mennenger – Program Specialist
- Janet Penticoff - Policy/Data Analyst
- Robyn Seibel - Program Specialist

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, instruction, assessment and teacher recognition. In addition, this division provides services and supports to districts and schools to support learning and achievement for all students.

- Shannon Malone - Director
- Vacant - Secretary

Standards, Learning and Leadership
- Vacant - Administrator
- Teresa Berndt - Reading Specialist
- Jennifer Fowler - Science Specialist
- Stephanie Higdon - Math Specialist
- Melinda Johnson - Social Studies Specialist
- Kelly Royer - Program Specialist
- Gwen Taylor - Program Specialist

SD-STARS
- Sara Kock - Administrator
- Kim Carlson - LDS Program Specialist II
- Brad Steckelberg - Program Analyst

ASSESSMENT
- Matt Gill - Administrator
- Christina Booth - Program Specialist
- Amanda Thronson - Program Specialist
- Jennifer Tschetter- Program Specialist

ACCOUNTABILITY - Dorothy Aguilera Black-Bear - Accountability Program Specialist
- Megan Aadland - Accountability Program Specialist

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.