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Official newsletter from the South Dakota Department of Education
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| Sept. 13, 2023 |
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Each year, an outstanding South Dakota educator is chosen to represent all teachers of the state as the South Dakota Teacher of the Year. The process to select the Teacher of the Year starts in February, when districts are asked to nominate a worthy candidate from their teachers. The nominated teachers are invited to submit a Region application; from there, five candidates, one from each region in the state, are selected from that pool.
Deciding on the Teacher of the Year is a difficult process because the candidates who are nominated are highly qualified and deserving. This issue of TeachSD is dedicated to introducing the five Teacher of the Year candidates. In it, you will find each candidate highlighted in their own Teacher Feature. Each one of these teachers is inspiring in their own way.
The Department of Education will announce the 2023 South Dakota Teacher of the Year on Sept. 28, 2023, in Mitchell. Until that time, get to know these outstanding South Dakota teachers!
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REGION 1:
Caitlyn Graf
HS Math – Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, and Consumer Math
Milbank High School, Milbank
Caitlyn Graf, the finalist from Region 1, became a teacher because she was inspired by her high school math teacher.
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REGION 2:
George Hawkins
U.S. History, AP Government, and Dual credit Government
Jefferson High School, Sioux Falls
George Hawkins, the finalist from Region 2, uses project-based learning in the classroom.
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REGION 3:
Valerie Nelson
Kindergarten
Chamberlain Elementary School, Chamberlain
Valerie Nelson, the finalist from Region 3, focuses on the miracles she sees in her classroom each year.
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REGION 4:
Lindsey Bachman
3rd Grade
Upper Elementary School, Mobridge
Lindsey Bachman, the finalist from Region 4, taught elementary school for 12 years; this year, she took on a new role as high school principal at Mobridge-Pollack High School.
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REGION 5:
Alyssa Walters
HS English Language Arts: 9th Literature, 11th Composition, Advanced Language and Composition, Journalism
Spearfish High School, Spearfish
Alyssa Walters, the finalist from Region 5, thinks that the future is bright because kids today are awesome.
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