Mrs.Knodelhasbeenteaching in Avon for 20 years, and she received Region 3 Teacher of the Year! Loretta has been nominated before in 2009, but did not go through the application process. It was very lengthy and had a lot of essay questions, with only had four days before the due date. She felt very excited when she was nominated, but yet was still reserved because she felt that there were other teachers that also deserved it - she feels that she could do better at her job somedays.Mrs.Knodel'sfavorite part about being a teacher is the connections she gets to make with the students, and because she works at a rural school where she can make the connections early, and keep themuntilaftertheygraduate.

Loretta has been teaching for25years,thisbeingher26th year. Before teaching in Avon, she taught in Bon Homme for six years. Some activities that she got to do in Pierre, were meeting the other 4 region teachers, along with the current South Dakota Teacher of the Year, she also visited with Tiffany Sanderson, South Dakota’s Secretary of Education. She had an interview with a panel along with 12 other people. Late in October all teachers that were nominated were there and had a very nice dinner. Mr. Culver and Mrs. Blaha were there with her as were her husband, daughter, and grandson. After all those activities, they handed out awards. Prior to Mrs. Knodel becoming a teacher, she first became a substitute teacher, then a Sped Para. She has taught4thgrade,5thgrade,and currently 3rd grade. Loretta wanted to add that, the congratulations and support from theschoolandcommunitywas very heartfelt, getting region 3 teacher of the year now, validates to her that she is where she belongs in life. It allowed her to form more networking with others in education, especially those working at the state department.