The Douglas School District is excited to announce that nominations are now open for the Teacher of the Year Award programs! This award recognizes outstanding full-time classroom teachers who make a meaningful difference in the lives of their students, peers, and the community.
Nominations must be submitted by the end of the day on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Building-Level Selection: Douglas School District Administration will review nominations to ensure nominees meet the qualifying criteria and select one certified representative from each of the district’s six buildings.
Elementary and Secondary Finalist: A review committee will evaluate the six building representatives and select one elementary finalist and one secondary finalist to be moved forward as nominees for the South Dakota American Legion Educator of the Year Program.
District Teacher of the Year: From these two finalists (one elementary and one secondary), the review committee will select one teacher, subject to Board of Education approval, to advance to the state-level South Dakota Teacher of the Year.
LEARN MORE: Teacher of the Year nomination