Meet the 2021 Sioux Falls Teacher of the Year

Her “passion for Native American culture” is contagious and led her to become the 2021 Teacher of the Year for the Sioux Falls School District.

Dr. Ann Robertson, Native American Connections teacher at Whittier Middle School, took home the Dr. John W. Harris Teacher of the Year award this week.

She has been teaching for 14 years in Sioux Falls and at Whitter after serving as a substitute for 12 years.

Criteria for selection of the Teacher of the Year include:

• Commitment to lifelong learning.
• Effectiveness in meeting students’ needs.
• Impact on student achievement.
• Effectiveness of home-school cooperation.
• Community involvement to promote school-community relations.

Vern Eide Motorcars co-sponsors the annual event and provided Robertson with $4,000. Other finalists received $100 to use in their classrooms.

They are Tyler Beisch, Edison Middle School – science; Jennifer Bogue, Hawthorne Elementary – kindergarten; Amie Edwards, Hawthorne Elementary – early childhood; Bobbi Greenfield, Sonia Sotomayor Elementary – third grade; Lindsey Johnson, Oscar Howe Elementary – special education; Jessica Peterson, John Harris Elementary – fifth grade; and Rachel Turner, Roosevelt High School – chemistry.

They’re all inspiring — meet them here:

Here’s a snapshot of what others had to say about Robertson in her nomination:

“It is impossible to write into one small letter what Ann Robertson has contributed to students, staff and administration in her many years as the Native American Connections teacher at Whittier Middle School. She organized and wrote the Native American studies curriculum for the middle and high schools for the Sioux Falls School District.

“Her ability to link both Native culture and the standards our students must know is a gift. Her expectations are high, and her curriculum is rigorous. She pushes her students to understand economics and trade through standardized math and social studies curriculum, while presenting material with cultural relevance. Because of this approach, students learn about their history while working on skills they will need in the future.

“Ann is a main player on our SAT, our Culture Squad, our school improvement team and our attendance team. Her classroom is always filled with positive energy. She has such a passion for Native American culture that it was contagious. She was a part of every single person’s life whether they wanted her to be or not. She made a positive impact on everyone. She cared so much about every one of her students. Every student deserves to have a teacher like Dr. Robertson.”

There were 67 nominees this year for Teacher of the Year.