Inspirational Achievements Recognized at the 2025 SDCTE Annual Conference | State News

KXLG – Oacoma, SD} The South Dakota Council of Teachers of English (SDCTE) celebrated excellence in literature and education by honoring author Hector Curriel and Menno High School ELA teacher Betsy Knodel at its 2025 annual conference. The awards were presented at the conference banquet on Monday, June 9th, at Arrowwood Cedar Shores Resort in Oacoma. The theme for this year’s conference was “Engaging Minds and Enlightening Hearts: Illuminate.”

Hector Curriel, a visual artist residing in Sioux Falls, received the prestigious 2025 Author of the Year award. Born in Lima, Peru, Curriel moved to the U.S. in 2001 to study art. He began his career as an editorial cartoonist in 2005 and has since become a prolific illustrator with over a dozen published titles. His accolades include second place in the Charles Schulz Cartoon Art Competition (2009), first place in the Professional Award at Art Instruction Schools (2011), and the Midwest Book Award as a book illustrator.

In 2022, Curriel collaborated with the South Dakota Historical Press to release “American Ace,” a graphic novel depicting the life of South Dakota legend Joe Foss, which earned him a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America for Best Non-Fiction Juvenile Book. Curriel’s artwork is displayed in various locations nationwide, and he actively participates in the South Dakota Arts Council’s Artists in Residency program, teaching students art methods and techniques to foster creativity.

The 2025 SDCTE Teacher of the Year award was presented to Betsy Knodel, a dedicated ELA teacher at Menno High School with 38 years of experience. This award recognizes teachers who demonstrate exceptional leadership both within and outside the classroom.

Nadia Mudder, Principal of Menno School District, praised Mrs. Knodel, stating, “Betsy is a ‘master of her craft’ who brings experience, talent, and an absolute joy of learning to her classroom. Whether she is attending learning opportunities with us or is in her classroom, elbows deep in hands-on novel projects and writing revisions, she shares wisdom, patience, and a deep love for learning. As a colleague stated, Betsy has such a love of learning. Her creative ways in the classroom not only show her love of reading but also enhance her students’ love for novels.”

Corrine Kallemeyn, Past President of SDCTE and a teacher at Watertown High School, added, “She always brings her years of experience and vast knowledge of teaching English, working with students, and balancing the expectations of administration and your community to every conversation that I have with her. Her willingness to look at new teaching methods and explore her teaching craft even in the twilight of her career shows all of us that there is never a time to quit learning. Great teachers never stop learning, and Betsy is a shining example of this.”

Established in 1941, the SDCTE is a professional organization affiliated with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), the Dakota Writing Project, and the South Dakota Department of Education. It is dedicated to providing language arts teachers with professional development opportunities and a supportive community that encourages lifelong learning and the adoption of new classroom strategies. In addition to the annual conference, the group hosts a summer professional development session and a spring book study.

Current members of the 2024-2025 council include President Nicole Finnesand (Tri-Valley High School, Colton), Past President Corrine Kallemeyn (Watertown High School), Vice President Samantha Hettinger (Harrisburg High School), Treasurer Susan Farrell-Poncelet (Sanborn Central High School, Forestburg), Secretary Vicky Gleason (Summit High School), Two Year College liaison Laura Cruse (Southeast Technical College, Sioux Falls), and Post Secondary liaison Jennifer Weber (Mt. Marty University, Yankton).

For more information about the SDCTE, the group can be reached via email at [email protected] or by visiting their website at www.sdcte.org.