VOTE FOR THE AMAZING TEACHER OF THE YEAR FROM MAY 1ST TO MAY 10TH AT www.capjournal.com/amazingteachers AMAZING TEACHER of the MONTH HONORING PIERRE/FT. PIERRE'S TEACHERS Presented by BECK Heartland MOTOR COMPANY cj MEDIA OUR AUDIENCE IS OUR SUPERPOWER CHEVROLET SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Marissa Schultz Kindergarten Stanley County Elementary School A Stanley County School District graduate, Marrisa Schultz has been teaching kindergarten at Stanley County Elementary School for eleven years. Here's what her nominator said about her: "Marrisa is one of the best teachers I know. She is kind, patient, and fun. She makes everything fun to learn and while she makes it fun, she also teaches the littles how to be good humans. I can't say enough about what a great teacher she is and that she deserves this award." JANUARY Kristie Maher 4th/5th Grade Science/Social Studies Stanley County Elementary School Kristie Maher has been teaching in different capacities for over 35 years. first as the Executive Director of the SD Discovery Center for 24 years. and then as the GOLD program coordinator and a teacher in the Stanley County School District. Here is what Kristie's nominator said about her: "Mrs. Maher teaches 4th/5th grade in Stanley County where she tries to do her best each day for her students. She uses her experience and continuing education to help each student with their individual challenges. Mrs. Maher wants the best for her students in and out of school and gives them tools to get there. Mrs. Maher makes learning fun and impactful FEBRUARY Tina Baker Kindergarten Kennedy Elementary School A native of White Lake, SD, Tina Baker has been a teacher for 17 years. She taught First Grade in Wessington Springs for two years before moving to Pierre, where she's been teaching Kindergarten ever since. She's been at Kennedy Elementary since it opened in 2015. Here is what Tina's nominator said about her: "Mrs. Baker is a Kindergarten teacher with a big heart. She is patient and loving with her students. She wants her students to be successful and she works hard to accomplish this goal." MARCH Kyle Sarringar Fifth Grade Math Buchanan Elementary School Kyle has been teaching since 2018. He is currently the Fifth Grade Math instructor at Buchanan Elementary School in Pierre. Here is what Kyle's nominator said about him: "I am nominating Kyle for the patience and kindness he shows to his class." APRIL Jana Polston Kindergarten Kennedy Elementary School Jana has been an educator for thirteen years, teaching Preschool SPED as well as Kindergarten. A native of Norfolk, NE, she moved with her family to Pierre in 2015 and has been teaching Kindergarten at Kennedy Elementary. Here is what her nominator said about Jana: "Mrs. Polston is enthusiastic and finds fun ways to teach and motivate her students." Emily Asher Music Teacher Jefferson Elementary School A graduate of Custer High School, Emily grew up playing the piano and has been teaching music for fifteen years. Here is what Emily's nominator said about her: "Emily is an exceptional elementary music teacher who inspires the entire Jefferson Elementary School community. Her passion for music and her commitment to her students shine brightly through the enthusiasm and growth of those she teaches. Over the past five years, every music program she has led has showcased smiling, eager, and confident students, a true testament to her talent and dedication." Megan Deal Second Grade Kennedy Elementary School A Pierre native, Megan has been teaching for 17 years, all of them in Second Grade classrooms and 15 of them in Pierre. Here is what Megan's nominator said about her: "Mrs. Deal is the kind of teacher that every child wants as their teacher and every parent wants their child to have. Every day her students are excited to go to school because she pushes them, motivates them, inspires them and most of all-makes them feel loved. She gets to know them and makes them all feel special in their own way. In return, her students work hard and grow socially, academically, and emotionally. She leaves a positive, lasting impression on her students forever." Harrison Armstrong Seventh Grade Math Georgia Morse Middle School Harrison Armstrong is a Pierre native who followed in the footsteps of her grandparents and mother, Hope Armstrong, to become an educator. She has taught for four years, all of them at GMMS, and her first year overlapped with her mother's 30th and final year at the same school. Here is what Harrison's nominators said about her: "Miss Harrison is a huge leader at the school. She also leads our student council and student food pantry. Governor Grocery She tries to make everyone's lives better and learning fun. She tries to not put us on computers every day but plays games and activities like glow-in-the-dark day. She's crazy and we love her VOTE FOR THE AMAZING TEACHER OF THE YEAR FROM MAY 1ST TO MAY 10TH AT www.capjournal.com/amazingteachers AMAZING TEACHER of the MONTH HONORING PIERRE / FT . PIERRE'S TEACHERS Presented by BECK Heartland MOTOR COMPANY cj MEDIA OUR AUDIENCE IS OUR SUPERPOWER CHEVROLET SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Marissa Schultz Kindergarten Stanley County Elementary School A Stanley County School District graduate , Marrisa Schultz has been teaching kindergarten at Stanley County Elementary School for eleven years . Here's what her nominator said about her : " Marrisa is one of the best teachers I know . She is kind , patient , and fun . She makes everything fun to learn and while she makes it fun , she also teaches the littles how to be good humans . I can't say enough about what a great teacher she is and that she deserves this award . " JANUARY Kristie Maher 4th / 5th Grade Science / Social Studies Stanley County Elementary School Kristie Maher has been teaching in different capacities for over 35 years . first as the Executive Director of the SD Discovery Center for 24 years . and then as the GOLD program coordinator and a teacher in the Stanley County School District . Here is what Kristie's nominator said about her : " Mrs. Maher teaches 4th / 5th grade in Stanley County where she tries to do her best each day for her students . She uses her experience and continuing education to help each student with their individual challenges . Mrs. Maher wants the best for her students in and out of school and gives them tools to get there . Mrs. Maher makes learning fun and impactful FEBRUARY Tina Baker Kindergarten Kennedy Elementary School A native of White Lake , SD , Tina Baker has been a teacher for 17 years . She taught First Grade in Wessington Springs for two years before moving to Pierre , where she's been teaching Kindergarten ever since . She's been at Kennedy Elementary since it opened in 2015. Here is what Tina's nominator said about her : " Mrs. Baker is a Kindergarten teacher with a big heart . She is patient and loving with her students . She wants her students to be successful and she works hard to accomplish this goal . " MARCH Kyle Sarringar Fifth Grade Math Buchanan Elementary School Kyle has been teaching since 2018. He is currently the Fifth Grade Math instructor at Buchanan Elementary School in Pierre . Here is what Kyle's nominator said about him : " I am nominating Kyle for the patience and kindness he shows to his class . " APRIL Jana Polston Kindergarten Kennedy Elementary School Jana has been an educator for thirteen years , teaching Preschool SPED as well as Kindergarten . A native of Norfolk , NE , she moved with her family to Pierre in 2015 and has been teaching Kindergarten at Kennedy Elementary . Here is what her nominator said about Jana : " Mrs. Polston is enthusiastic and finds fun ways to teach and motivate her students . " Emily Asher Music Teacher Jefferson Elementary School A graduate of Custer High School , Emily grew up playing the piano and has been teaching music for fifteen years . Here is what Emily's nominator said about her : " Emily is an exceptional elementary music teacher who inspires the entire Jefferson Elementary School community . Her passion for music and her commitment to her students shine brightly through the enthusiasm and growth of those she teaches . Over the past five years , every music program she has led has showcased smiling , eager , and confident students , a true testament to her talent and dedication . " Megan Deal Second Grade Kennedy Elementary School A Pierre native , Megan has been teaching for 17 years , all of them in Second Grade classrooms and 15 of them in Pierre . Here is what Megan's nominator said about her : " Mrs. Deal is the kind of teacher that every child wants as their teacher and every parent wants their child to have . Every day her students are excited to go to school because she pushes them , motivates them , inspires them and most of all - makes them feel loved . She gets to know them and makes them all feel special in their own way . In return , her students work hard and grow socially , academically , and emotionally . She leaves a positive , lasting impression on her students forever . " Harrison Armstrong Seventh Grade Math Georgia Morse Middle School Harrison Armstrong is a Pierre native who followed in the footsteps of her grandparents and mother , Hope Armstrong , to become an educator . She has taught for four years , all of them at GMMS , and her first year overlapped with her mother's 30th and final year at the same school . Here is what Harrison's nominators said about her : " Miss Harrison is a huge leader at the school . She also leads our student council and student food pantry . Governor Grocery She tries to make everyone's lives better and learning fun . She tries to not put us on computers every day but plays games and activities like glow - in - the - dark day . She's crazy and we love her