Northeast Radio SD News - Florence, SD - Florence Elementary Preschool teacher Mrs. Kendra Mastel was recently awarded an Exemplary Level certificate for her work in designing a creative and engaging preschool program, as recognized by the School Administrators of South Dakota (SASD).

Becky Haenfler, a middle school English Language Arts teacher from the Avon School District, has been named the 2026 South Dakota Teacher of the Year. South Dakota Secretary of Education Joseph Graves announced the award at a banquet held in Fort Pierre, South Dakota. Graves commented on Haenfler’s reputation and teaching approach. “Becky Haenfler has a wonderful reputation at Avon School District as being an engaging educator whose teaching style gets kids excited about r