Mandy Smidt & Emily Charlson, Dakota Prairie Elementary Teachers
Emily and Mandy are the soul of Dakota Prairie. More than colleagues, they are the architects of our culture - the people who, day after day, choose to pour joy into every corner of DP.
Every Wednesday, on their own lunch break, they lead Wellness Challenges that bring our entire building together through laughter, movement, and genuine connection. They carry that same energy into monthly building meetings, and because they capture and share these moments, their kindness reaches far beyond our hallways. Staff and students across the building - and beyond - feel it.
But it doesn't stop there. On your birthday, they'll find you and shower you in handmade confetti. At the end of a long day, they're the ones starting a limbo line or offering free hugs at the door. On dress-up days, they go all in and somehow always manage to outdo themselves. Every single day, they find a new way to make someone smile.
Dakota Prairie's climate and culture are what they are because of Emily and Mandy. They don't just work here - they make this place feel like home for every learner and staff member who walks through the doors. Because of this, and so much more, they are truly some of the BEST Bobcats around!
~ Nominated by: Sarah Wiebersick
Zach Thomas, Phil Thramer, and Kate Bergstrom, BHS Administration Team
We are nominating Kate, Phil, and Zach for the B.E.S.T. Award because we believe they have dramatically changed the culture of Brookings High School. They are dedicated visionaries, and the staff and students of BHS have benefited from their leadership.
The three work collaboratively and are committed to the success of all students. Through their leadership and dedication, students and staff feel valued, supported, and inspired. Changing school culture is not an easy task, yet these administrators have approached this school year with consistency, clarity, and compassion.
Their leadership and the changes they have made have truly made a significant difference, and the positive impact of their work will continue to be felt in the years to come.
~Nominated by: Kim McCullough and Karen Barsness