FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 7, 2018

CONTACT: Mary Stadick Smith, South Dakota Department of Education, 605-773-7228, mary.stadicksmith@state.sd.us or

Ruth Raveling, South Dakota Department of Education, 605-773-2593, ruth.raveling@state.sd.us

Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week and announcing Regional Teachers of the Year

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed May 7-11 Teacher Appreciation Week in South Dakota.

“When we take the time to really reflect on the vital impact of teachers, one week seems entirely too short a time to set aside to celebrate them,” said Secretary of Education Don Kirkegaard. “Please seek out a teacher this week, whether one of your own or one of your child’s teachers, and say thank you. Then, strive to make that a year-round habit.”

As part of this special week, the South Dakota Department of Education is pleased to announce the following individuals as South Dakota’s 2018 Regional Teachers of the Year:

• Region #1: Anita Boeck, math, Arlington High School
• Region#2: Sarah Darling, first grade, Brandon Elementary School
• Region #3: Erica Boomsma, fourth grade, Washington 4-5 Center (Huron)
• Region #4: Lisa Zahn, music, Mobridge-Pollock School District
• Region #5: Mary Day, business education and computer technology, Belle Fourche High School

A statewide panel of educators will select one of these regional finalists to represent the state as the 2019 South Dakota Teacher of the Year. The 2019 South Dakota Teacher of the Year will be announced Oct. 18, 2018, at the Systems Change Conference in Sioux Falls. That individual will be South Dakota’s 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 2019 National Teacher of the Year will be announced during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in spring 2019.

The Department of Education will be using the hashtag #ThankATeacher on social media throughout the week. Members of the public are invited to share a message of thanks for the teachers impacting students across the state and country.

Editor’s Note: Please consider contacting your local school(s) for potential stories about Teacher Appreciation Week celebrations in your community.

–30–