Good News: Webster Teacher Jenna Sinner Named Regional Teacher of the Year

{KXLG – Webster, SD} Jenna Sinner, a high school science teacher from the Webster Area School District, has been recognized as a 2025 Regional Teacher of the Year for Region 1, the South Dakota Department of Education announced. This honor comes as Governor Larry Rhoden has proclaimed May 5-9 as Teacher Appreciation Week across the state.

Sinner, who teaches high school science at Webster Area High School, was named alongside four other educators from across South Dakota as outstanding teachers in their respective regions. These regional winners are now in contention to be named the 2026 South Dakota Teacher of the Year.

According to the Department of Education, Secretary Joseph Graves will visit each of the regional winners’ classrooms in the coming days to acknowledge their dedication and personal impact on students.

“Having the opportunity to visit outstanding teachers throughout the state is a highlight of my job,” said Secretary Graves in the press release. “Whether it’s in a small school or a large one, I am able to see teachers who have mastered their craft, and I can see the impact they make on each student in their classrooms. The amount of work and care these teachers demonstrate every day is inspirational.”

Sinner’s dedication extends beyond traditional science instruction. She is a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) instructor and was instrumental in implementing the PLTW Biomedical Science program at Webster Area High School. This program offers hands-on, real-world learning experiences for students interested in biomedical fields.

Sinner’s PLTW Biomedical Science courses, including Principles of Biomedical Science and Human Body Systems, allow students to engage in activities such as investigating crime scenes, diagnosing illnesses, tracking medical outbreaks, and designing solutions to medical challenges. Student testimonials highlight the engaging nature of these courses, emphasizing the value of real-life scenarios and hands-on labs in understanding complex concepts.

Sinner holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northern State University in Aberdeen. She credits her high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Roy Webster, as a significant influence on her teaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of building meaningful connections with students to foster their confidence and capabilities. Sinner was also recognized as the 2022 Webster Area School District Teacher of the Year.

Her primary goal as an educator is to ensure her students can apply their knowledge to real-world situations. She believes that active learning and seeing the direct relevance of textbook concepts in the lab lead to better knowledge retention.

Later this summer, a panel will select one of the five regional Teachers of the Year to represent South Dakota as the 2026 South Dakota Teacher of the Year, who will then become the state’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year Award.

The complete list of Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

Region 1: Jenna Sinner, high school science, Webster Area School District, Webster;
Region 2: Gina Sershen, 5^th grade science, Brandon Valley Intermediate School, Brandon;
Region 3: Becky Haenfler, 5-7 English Language Arts, Avon School District, Avon;
Region 4: Jennifer Anders, high school math, Harding County School District, Buffalo; and
Region 5: Ann Anderson, 5^th grade, Belle Fourche Middle School, Belle Fourche.

link