State Historical Society names two as 2025 South Dakota History Teacher of the Year

The South Dakota Historical Society has chosen to name two South Dakota teachers as the South Dakota History Teachers of the Year.

Jordan Fast, a high school history and government teacher with the Sioux Valley School District, and Nancy Block, a fourth grade teacher with Webster Area Elementary School, are the 2025 South Dakota History Teachers of the Year.

“We received some tremendous nominations this year. There were several outstanding candidates,” said Dr. Ben Jones, the state historian. “Ultimately, there were two left standing, and we could not honestly say that one was more impressive than the other.”

Both teachers received more than one nomination from administrators, fellow teachers, and parents of students.

One of the people who nominated Nancy Block is Candice Bloom, a Webster middle and high school arts instructor. Bloom had high praise for Block: “Her passion for history is truly contagious,” Bloom said. “She skillfully integrates creative projects, hands-on activities, and engaging storytelling into her lessons, ensuring that each student not only learns about the past but also becomes deeply invested in it.”

Tyler Bolstad, principal of Sioux Valley Middle and High School, wrote of Jordan Fast’s excellence in the classroom. “He has a remarkable ability to make history come alive, drawing students into the narrative of the past while fostering critical thinking and deep analysis of historical events,” said Bolstad. “Mr. Fast is not only a teacher but also a leader within our school. He consistently models best practices in pedagogy, balancing high expectations with the warmth and support that students need to thrive.”

Fast and Block will be presented with their awards at the State Historical Society’s History Conference in Deadwood next month.