The South Dakota World Languages Association selects one teacher among the nominated candidates to honor for their efforts in language teaching. This award is open to all teachers of a second language in South Dakota. The winner is announced during the annual SDWLA conference and represents South Dakota at the CSCTFL conference.

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Past Teacher of the Year Recipients

2025 - Dr. Sarah Sinnott
​2024 - Dr. Nathan Bates
​2023 - Anika Rodig
2021 - Wilfrido Suárez 
2020 - Britt Samson 
​2019 - Maria Spitz
​2018 - Eckhard Rolz
2017 - Elke Kuegle
2016 - Angie Giffen
2015 - Kamden Dibley
2014 - Marie-Pierre Caquot Baggett and Samantha Tschetter
2013 - Karen Rosby
2012 - Dr. María Ramos-Garcia
2011 - Teresa Piper
2010 - Gayla Martens
2009 - Annie Bussler
2008 - Dr. Marie-Pierre Baggett
2007 - Brenda Lynch
2006 - Dr. Scott Fish
2005 - Diane Van Den Oever
2004 - ​Andrea McKenzie