2023 SDEA/NEA Candidate List
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact SDEA President Loren Paul, loren.paul@sdea.org, Elections Committee Chair, Tess Canet, tlcanet69@gmail.com, or Elections Committee Liaison Anne Plooster, anne.plooster@sdea.org.
Executive Officer Candidates:
President (3 year term)Loren PaulIt has truly been my honor to serve educators as President of SDEA. In the past three years, we have built a leadership program, passed accountability legislation, increased membership and have been a collective voice for educators across the state. I look forward to working with our members over the next three years to amplify our voices and continue growing the association. With growth comes great opportunity and I look forward to watching our leaders learn to use their power to move the profession forward. As an association, we must continue to organize so that we can give our students the great public schools they deserve.
Vice-President (3 year term)
Stephanie Hageman
Over the past three years, it has been my honor to serve and represent YOU as SDEA Vice President.
Upon taking office, one goal was to engage members and develop leaders within our organization by providing quality professional development. I have served on the SDEA Leadership Workgroup. Through collaborative efforts of governance and staff, we have brought you the Summer Academy, Bargaining Conference, and Leadership Conferences. These events have engaged over one hundred fifty members, this past year.
Another goal was to increase SDEA Membership. I have assisted locals across the state in brainstorming, organizing, and hosting events for members — current and potential. SDEA is currently experiencing membership growth due to our collaborative efforts.
I look forward to working with YOU in the future. TOGETHER, we will continue to move SDEA forward by ensuring a strong voice for public education is heard at local, state, and national levels.
NEA Director (3 year term)
Kelsey Lovseth
If elected, I bring over 16 years of classroom experience to this officer position. In my local association I have served in a variety of roles and had the honor of representing Eastern Prairie on the board from 2020 to 2022. My experience in and out of the classroom has ignited a passion for authentic educator voice. Educators need to be heard, we need to feel safe in sharing our stories, and we need a collective voice to move forward.
I have the unique experience of having served on the SDEA Board of Directors as well as working behind the scenes as the NEA Teacher Quality, Professional Practice & Policy Fellow for our association. My fellowship has been focused on increasing our ability to advocate, train, lead, research and support educators across the state. I believe that I am the right person to be the NEA Director for our Association.
Board of Director Candidates:
ESP At-Large (2 year term)no candidateCOHE At-Large (1 year term)no candidateMinority At-Large (2 year term)
Curtis Anderson
Western (1 year term)
Jennifer Macziewski
My passion is working with early learners and mentoring young teachers in Rapid City. I currently serve as an appointed representative for Western on the SDEA Board of Directors. I will continue advocating for educators and students when elected.
Western (2 year term)
no candidate
EGL (2 year term)
Paula Hanson
I would be honored to continue to represent EGL. I believe SDEA is more important than ever in South Dakota, and I am proud to be an active member! I will continue to bring a small district perspective to the BOD and work hard for all school staff and students.
Eastern Prairie (2 year term)
Danyelle Cleveland
Working alongside SDEA the past several years has allowed me to create vital relationships with other leaders and understand how best to approach the decisions SDEA is responsible for making. Please allow me to continue serving as a BOD representative for the Eastern Prairie region with your vote.
SEE (2 year term)
no candidate
Plains (2 year term)
Shawn Olsen
I am Shawn Olsen and I teach 1st grade in Dupree. I would be honored to once again be your voice for the Plains UniServ as we move our association forward and strengthen our collective voice for all things that matter in education.
NEA RA Delegates:
Western
no candidate
Plains
no candidate
EGL
Olivia Forman
I would be honored to represent South Dakota educators at the NEA RA. I currently serve on the SDEA Board of Directors and attended my first state RA last year. I would love to be a part of educators coming together and advocating for public education at the national level.
Madeline Scarlett
I would be delighted to represent SDEA at the NEA RA. I have been a member of SDEA for a little over three years, and in those short three years I have learned that strong representation is vital to successful negotiation and change. I believe all educators in South Dakota deserve to be heard!
Eastern Prairie
Tim Eckart
I am the local president for SFEA. It is my hope to represent SD at the NEA RA in order to bring important information back to our state.
Kelsey Lovseth
I am Kelsey Lovseth, and I would be honored to attend the 2023 NEA RA. I served on the SDEA Board of Directors from 2020 to 2022 and have been actively involved in several sub-committees/teams. Currently, I am the NEA Teacher Quality, Professional Practice & Policy Fellow for our association.
Lisa Jennings
In my last year as NEA ESP-At-Large Director I would be honored to represent not only ESP, but all educators at the NEA RA. I will do my best to use my experience to serve you as a delegate for the students and educators of South Dakota.
Jennifer Bergan Gabor
As the SDEA representative on the NEA Resolutions Committee, I am asking for your vote as support for my attendance at the NEA-RA.
It is my honor to work to craft language that lets others know who we are and how we and our students can best be served.
Virginia Colgan
As a delegate, I will serve my third year on the elections committee to help certify ballots and uphold voting procedures. I will follow the debates and advocate for all students and teachers. Additionally, I will engage with other state delegates to ensure all voices are heard.
SEE
no candidate
Minority At-Large
(Statement listed above)
Jennifer Bergan Gabor
At-Large
(Statements listed above)
Jennifer Bergan Gabor
Kelsey Lovseth
Virginia Colgan
Tim Eckart
Lisa Jennings
Virginia Colgan
Olivia Forman
Madeline Scarlett