As the President of the South Dakota Education Association (SDEA), I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for the work you do. The past school year has been challenging, to say the least, but your unwavering commitment to your students, your profession, and our Association has been nothing short of amazing.
Thank you for your hard work. You have had to deal with staff shortages, a lack of substitutes, escalating student behaviors and scarce resources, but you continued to show up day in and day out. You’ve given your all to create an environment where our students can learn and thrive. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed.
These unprecedented times have tested us all, but you’ve risen to the occasion. As educators, you’ve adapted, innovated, and persevered. You’ve been there for the students, providing them with a great education even when faced with immense challenges. Your resilience is inspiring.
SDEA is committed to ensuring that everyone including parents, lawmakers and community leaders understand the value of the work you do. We must come together to push back against divisive rhetoric and demand the funding our schools and students deserve. A united front is one of the best thank you gifts we can give.
As we head into the summer break, I encourage you to take time for yourselves. Relax, recharge, and rejuvenate. You’ve earned it. Investing a little of your summertime will have big payoffs for our students next year. I also want to encourage you to attend our third annual SDEA Summer Academy July 15–16 in Sioux Falls. This conference is packed with so many great sessions to support the work you do. It’s also a great opportunity to gather with your fellow educators for fun and fellowship. We would love to see you in July!
As your SDEA President, I promise to continue advocating for you. We must ensure that you have the necessary resources to continue your amazing work. Let’s stand together, raise our voices, and create positive change for South Dakota’s educators and students.
I always end these columns by expressing my honor in representing the world’s most dedicated educators. But after witnessing your efforts over the last couple of years, I am also in awe of your unwavering commitment to the students of South Dakota. Thank you.
Wishing you all a restful and rejuvenating summer!
