Community members invited to nominate 2026 Teacher of the Year

As the District nears the end of the school year, the Tea Area School District is proud to partner with the Tea Area Parent Teacher Organization (TAPTO) to recognize and celebrate the incredible teachers who serve the District’s students each day.

Tea Area School District teachers impact lives in countless ways, forming strong relationships, lifting students’ confidence, and helping shape who they become. The Teacher of the Year program provides an opportunity for students, families, colleagues, and community members to pause and say, “Thank you”.

Sometimes, simply being nominated is a powerful reminder to an educator that their work is seen and that the difference they make truly matters. The District encourages anyone who has a Tea Area teacher that has positively impacted them to take a few moments to share that story through a nomination.

The Teacher of the Year award honors distinguished teachers in the Tea Area School District, with finalist and award recognition made possible through the generous support of our local business partners. The District is grateful for a community that values education and continues to invest in those who serve our students.

Nominees must be certified, full-time Tea Area School District teachers serving in grades JK-12 or Special Education Preschool, with at least 5 years of educational experience and at least 3 years of service in the Tea Area School District. Teachers who have received the award within the past five years are not eligible. While the district staff in support roles are vital to our success, they are recognized through the District’s Standards of Excellence - Employee of the Year program.

Previous Teacher of the Year recipients include:

2021: Sarah Spilde 2022: Laura Berg; 2023: Mary Beth Sutton 2024: Kevin Clark; 2025: Crystal Groeneweg

The selected Teacher of the Year will serve as the District’s nominee for Regional Teacher of the Year and must continue employment with the Tea Area School District during the 2026-2027 school year. 

Nominations may be submitted by visiting the Tea Area School District website and accessing the form through the Live Feed, or by using the direct link.

Here is the direct link to the form:  hm>s://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/lFAipOLSelAT7X4-tgEw0-uMhPSIPKOy0kLde7dK7fjGghyldhODizg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Scan the QR Code at left to begin nominating a teacher., Paper copies are also available by contacting the District Office at 605-498-2700, ext. 5. All nominations are due April 15 at 8:00 a.m.

Finalists will be announced on Monday, May 4, and the Teacher of the Year will be announced during the JK-12 Graduation Awards Program on Monday, May 11.

Thank you for taking the time to recognize a Tea Area teacher and for helping us celebrate the people who make a difference in the lives of our students every day.