May 22, 2024

Regional Teachers of the Year named


Five South Dakota teachers have been named 2025 Regional Teachers of the Year for the state. The South Dakota Teacher of the Year program is designed to recognize and honor the contributions of outstanding classroom teachers in the state. Districts throughout the state choose a teacher within the district as the District Teacher of the Year. From this pool, the Regional Teachers of the Year are selected.

The five 2025 Regional Teachers of the Year were announced during Teacher Appreciation Week. They are as follows:

  • Region 1: Amy Verhelst, Kindergarten, Sioux Valley Elementary School, Volga
  • Region 2: Erin Rieff, Art, Brandon Valley Middle School, Brandon
  • Region 3: Megan Wilson, Math, Sanborn Central High School, Forestburg
  • Region 4: Christy Saltsman, K-8 Physical Education and 6-8 Math, Gettysburg School District, Gettysburg
  • Region 5: Michelle Abbott, 2nd grade, West Elementary School, Spearfish


Amy Verhelst – 3rd from left              Erin Rieff – 2nd from left              Megan Wilson – 2nd from left


Christy Saltsman – front row, far right              Michelle Abbott’s 2nd grade class


A panel will select one of these regional finalists to represent the state as the 2025 South Dakota Teacher of the Year. That individual will be South Dakota’s candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Award.

DOE representatives, including Secretary of Education Joe Graves, visited each of the Regional Teachers of the Year during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6 – 10.