PIERRE, SD—The 2025 South Dakota Teacher of the Year will be announced on Thursday, September 26, during a special recognition banquet in Fort Pierre. The South Dakota Teacher of the Year will be selected from five regional finalists who were chosen to represent their school districts and regions because of their outstanding work.
The finalists for the 2025 South Dakota Teacher of the Year include:
- Region #1: Amy Verhelst, Kindergarten, Sioux Valley School District
- Region #2: Erin Rieff, Middle School Art, Brandon Valley School District
- Region #3: Megan Wilson, High School Math, Sanborn Central School District
- Region #4: Christy Saltsman, K-8 Physical Education and 6-8 Math, Gettysburg School District
- Region #5: Michelle Abbott, 2nd Grade, Spearfish School District
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. South Dakota’s new Teacher of the Year will go on for consideration at the national level. The 2025 National Teacher of the Year will be announced during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in the spring.