For Immediate Release: Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013
Contact: Mary Stadick Smith, South Dakota Department of Education, (605) 773-7228, mary.stadicksmith@state.sd.us

PIERRE, S.D. -- LuAnn Lindskov, Timber Lake High School math and science teacher, has been selected as the 2014 South Dakota Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made during a banquet this evening at the Cedar Shore Conference Center in Oacoma.

Lindskov, who lives in Isabel, is a National Board Certified Teacher. She is a member of Black Hills State University’s QuarkNet, a group of South Dakota science teachers who study subatomic physics and network their students with physicists and students from around the world to collect and share cosmic radiation data. In summer 2011, she was selected for and attended BootCamp in advanced particle physics research at the FermiLab National Laboratory near Chicago.

“The caliber of candidates for this honor is second to none. I commend them all. I’m thrilled that LuAnn is being recognized for her holistic approach to education,” said South Dakota Secretary of Education Melody Schopp. “She’s connected and therefore keeps her students connected to the community, region, state and country.”

A panel of educators from across the state selected Lindskov from among five regional finalists. In addition to Lindskov, other finalists included: Mindy Foltz, Rosholt School District; Donna DeKraai, Brookings School District; Sonya Fossum, Mitchell School District; and Tammy Jo Schlechter, Custer School District.

As recipient of the honor, Lindskov receives $9,000 in cash prizes and a $7,000 technology package to use in her classroom. Prize packages are made possible through the generosity of private businesses and organizations.

In addition, Lindskov will represent South Dakota as a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award. The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching. The 2014 National Teacher of the Year will be announced during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in April.

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