SDCTE is committed to honoring outstanding teachers in our state. Those receiving this award should have demonstrated leadership in the classroom and among their peers. Nominees should also be active members of SDCTE.
Click below to nominate a teacher for Teacher of the Year.
2024 Adam Rudebusch
Castlewood High School
2023 Laura O’Connor
Philip High School
2022 Sharon Prendergast
Sisseton High School
2019 Meghan Wounded-Head
Washington High School, Sioux Falls
2018 Carla McMurry-Kozak
Vermillion High School
2017 Thomas Moudry
Brookings High School
2016 Samantha Peil
Deubrook High School
2015 Kirsten Rohla
Belle Fourche
2014 Jason Kurtz
Harrisburg High School
2013 Teresa Berndt
Mitchell High School
2012 Sue Morrell
Wagner High School
2011 Jill Mikkelsen
Yankton High School
2010 Anne Moege
Mitchell Middle School
2009 Deana Brodkorb
Todd County
2008 Becky Ekeland
Brookings High School
2007 Dodie Bemis
Lake Area Technical Institute
2006 Karen Harrington
Mitchell Middle School
2005 Carol Varilek
Wagner Community School
2004 Barb Unruh
Agar-Blunt-Oneida
2003 Connie Krueger
Rapid City
2002 Doris Chmela
Kimball
2001 Staci Haag
Dakota Valley
1999 Jim Swanson
Dakota State University
1998 Nancy Zuercher
University of South Dakota
1998 Jean Helmer
Belle Fourche High School
1997 Sharon Olbertson
Beresford High School
1996 Donna Fisher
Mitchell High School