Outstanding Administrators 2009-2010
DR. BECKY GUFFIN
Outstanding Curriculum Director, Aberdeen School District
After
19 years in education, serving 6 years as an administrator, Becky strives to
help Aberdeen School District staff and students meet their fullest
potential by providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking and
invites a sharing of ideas. Her own passion for learning has led her
to a career working with children and adults to create compassionate,
strong and dedicated individuals who strive to continually learn and grow.
SUSAN
PROEFROCK
Outstanding Business Official, Belle Fourche School District
Susan
has devoted 27 years to education, spending 21 years as an
administrator. She is most proud of the middle school complex created
with the granted property and facilities from the US Air Force. With
the variety of responsibilities and duties as a school business manager,
Susan never experiences a dull moment and the challenges are endless.
KRISTI
WALLIN
Outstanding Special Education Director, Lennox School District
Establishing
and promoting an inclusive, caring environment for all students has been
Kristi's goal for the 31 years of service in the education field, with 11
years as an administrator. As the Special Education Director for
Lennox School, Kristi's philosophy of education is to help each student
reach his or her highest potential.
KYLEY
CUMBOW
Outstanding Asst. Middle School Principal, Pierre School District
Devoting
10 years to education and serving four years as an administrator has helped
Kyley appreciate the role models in her life that were educators. The
chaotic lives of middle school students has led her to the philosophy that
every child can learn, it is just a matter of who will reach them. She
is most proud of pursuing her administrative degree and is now working on
her doctorate.
DR.
MICY HIGHSTREET
Outstanding Elementary Principal, Tri-Valley School District
During
her 20 years in education, 10 as an administrator, Micy has served to
motivate and uplift students so they are able to reach their greatest
potential in school, the workplace and as citizens. At Tri-Valley
Elementary School, with Micy as principal and role model, everyone is valued
and honored as a learner from the smallest child to the oldest adult.
Micy recently completed her doctorate, setting the example of being a life
long learner.
DEAN
CHRISTENSEN
Outstanding Superintendent, Deuel School District
Devoting 32 years to education with 26 of them as
an administrator, Dean believes we must continually take risks to improve
education and reach each new generation of students on their terms not on
the past. His greatest accomplishment is having built community trust
in each district he has worked in and developed district planning that took
the long-term needs of the community into consideration.
STEVE
BENSON
Outstanding High School Principal, Deuel School
District
Watching
students mature and grow into quality young adults has made Steve's 17 years
in education and 10 years as an administrator a gratifying experience.
Steve is proud to have established a four-day school week in Deuel School
District that allowed quality professional development for staff and extra
help for students which has significantly reduced the number of failing
students in the district.
