DOE announces Teacher of the Year nominees during Teacher Appreciation Week 2022

Morgan Matzen, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
·1 min read

May 2-6, 2022 is Teacher Appreciation Week, and on Monday, the South Dakota Department of Education announced its annual list of South Dakota's Regional Teachers of the Year.

Here's who's nominated for the honor this year:

  • Region #1: Alyssa Cassels, 5-12 band instructor, Deuel School District

  • Region #2: Deb Jensen, kindergarten, Viborg-Hurley School District

  • Region #3: Loretta Knodel, third grade, Avon School District

  • Region #4: Jennifer Weishaar, first grade, Aberdeen School District

  • Region #5: Jennifer Macziewski, K-1 Primary, Rapid City Area Schools

A statewide panel of educators will select one of these regional finalists to represent the state as the 2023 South Dakota Teacher of the Year, which will be announced this fall.

That individual will be South Dakota’s candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Award. The 2023 National Teacher of the Year will be announced during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in spring 2023.

​​​​​​“We’ve recently had several schools and individual teachers recognized for their excellence in education," Gov. Kristi Noem said in a news release from the DOE. "You make South Dakota proud, and not just for these accomplishments. We are proud because our teachers are giving their all to help the next generation reach higher and dream bigger.”

The Department of Education will be using #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.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota DOE celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week May 2-6, 2022