Awards

Delegates at the 2019 SDEA Representative Assembly passed New Business Item 4, which created an award to recognize outstanding educators in their first five years. The Early Career Educator (ECE) Award will recognize an ECE who is a SDEA member and who has excelled in differentiating instruction, developed engaging lessons, successfully built relationships with their students, and actively engaged in union activities. An individual member or a local may nominate an early career educator for this award. Each governance unit may select an Early Career Educator of the Year from nominations submitted in their unit. All the unit winners will be candidates for the statewide award, which will be announced at the Representative Assembly in Pierre.

The SDEA Education Support Professional of the Year Award recognizes the contributions of Education Support Professionals (ESPs) to their schools, communities, and their professions. The award is presented to a member of SDEA who demonstrates outstanding accomplishments and reflects the contributions of ESP to public education.

The South Dakota Education Association/NEA is seeking nominations for the Friend of Education Award. The nominee must be a person or organization outside of SDEA/NEA. The nominee should have proven to be a genuine friend of education, educators, and/or students. The nominee should reflect the philosophy and principles of the association. The nominee through leadership, acts and support must have made contributions toward achieving a first-rate education for students in South Dakota.

The South Dakota Education Association/NEA is seeking nominations for the Human and Civil Rights Award to honor an individual, student group, or organization for their work in promoting human and civil rights.

The purpose of HWE of South Dakota is to recognize outstanding South Dakota women educators and to promise better relationships among women engaged in educational work.