Rapid City teacher receives prestigious Milken Award

Posted:

By Abby Carter, Reporter - email

A Rapid City educator has joined an elite club.

Fourth grade teacher Alayna Siemonsma received the surprise of a lifetime Tuesday morning when she was presented the prestigious Milken Award. She is the only teacher in the state of South Dakota to receive this national honor that comes with $25,000 in cash.

The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding educators and inspire students to become teachers.

Siemonsma, a 15-year teaching veteran, is the literacy leader at South Park Elementary.

She said she loves coming to work everyday because of the students and her talented colleagues.

"I love working with my colleagues and enjoy coming to work each and every day and I think any colleague here would deserve this same award. I think all teachers do," Siemonsma said.

Siemonsma implemented South Park's Balanced Literacy Program. She is credited with raising math scores more than 15 points.

Local News - KOTA TerritoryLocal News KOTA TerritoryMore>>
Statewide program aims to help crime victims
Statewide program aims to help crime victims
A new statewide program is announced today aimed at benefiting crime victims as well those that serve them. Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced today the addition of the statewide automated
A new statewide program is announced today aimed at benefiting crime victims as well those that serve them.
Club for Boys participants bike the entire Mickelson Trail
Club for Boys participants bike the entire Mickelson Trail
For kids, summer is the time to get out and explore. Organizers of one group in Rapid City want to make sure boys get the chance to discover what the Blacks Hills has to offer. On Tuesday, the Club for
For kids, summer is the time to get out and explore. Organizers of the Club for Boys in Rapid City want to make sure boys get the chance to discover what the Black Hills has to offer.
Drug Court graduation in Sturgis
Drug Court graduation in Sturgis
Addicts got a new life today at a unique graduation. Four men graduated from the Northern Hill's Drug Court Tuesday. This program is what team members call a tough alternative to prison. It requires
Four men graduated from the Northern Hill's Drug Court Tuesday.
Fireworks show approved at Black Hills Speedway
Fireworks show approved at Black Hills Speedway
Fireworks will once again make an appearance at the Black Hills Speedway this July. The Pennington County Commissioners approved the show for July 5th after the race. Last summer, Commissioners
Fireworks will once again make an appearance at the Black Hills Speedway this July.
New teeth whitening procedure reaches Rapid City
New teeth whitening procedure reaches Rapid City
Two small business owners are joining forces to whiten teeth in Rapid City. Ronnie Weir and Tom Skoog own Whiter Brighter Smiles, which offers customers a self-application whitening procedure in a professional
Two small business owners are joining forces to whiten teeth in Rapid City.
Sturgis to survey rally-goers
Sturgis to survey rally-goers
Surveys are coming to Sturgis. The Sturgis City Council approved spending $26,000 to survey Sturgis rally-goers. The idea is to give sponsors a better idea of who they are trying to target. Christina
The Sturgis City Council approved spending $26,000 to survey Sturgis rally-goers. The idea is to give sponsors a better idea of who they are trying to target.
Rollover accident slows traffic on I-90
Rollover accident slows traffic on I-90
Traffic on I-90 eastbound was slowed down to one lane late this afternoon. A ready mix truck carrying a large of concrete went off the road and hit an overpass pillar at mile marker 71, 4 miles east of
A ready mix truck carrying a large of concrete went off the road and hit an overpass pillar at mile marker 71, 4 miles east of Box Elder.

Most Popular StoriesMost Popular StoriesMore>>
Authorities name suspect shot by officers in rural Pennington County
Authorities name suspect shot by officers in rural Pennington County
A high speed chase ends with an unidentified man being shot. A routine traffic stop turned violent when an unidentified person decided to run from police officers. The fleeing vehicle drove through
A high speed chase ends with an unidentified man being shot.
Authorities investigate death of Phillip man
Authorities investigate death of Phillip man
The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the death of a Phillip man. Spokesperson Sara Raburn says the body of 28-year-old Zane Nelson was discovered behind a Phillip business
Spokesperson Sara Raburn says the body of 28-year-old Zane Nelson was discovered behind a Phillip business early Sunday morning.
OST president arrested during beer blockade
OST president arrested during beer blockade
Oglala Sioux Tribal President Bryan Brewer was arrested Monday. According to a news release from Tribal President's Office, Brewer and about 50 others created a road block on Highway 87 to stop beer distribution
According to a news release from Tribal President's Office, Brewer and about 50 others created a road block on Highway 87 to stop beer distribution trucks from making deliveries to stores in White Clay, NE.
Man caught with pants down in Rapid City park
Man caught with pants down in Rapid City park
A man who police say was drunk, was caught with his pants down in a Rapid City park - literally! Police Spokesperson Tarah Heupel says a caller reported that a man was exposing himself in Roosevelt
Galen Sitting Bear, age 36 of Kyle, was arrested for public indecency.
Concealed weapons permits starting to level off
Concealed weapons permits starting to level off
Concealed weapons permits sky rocketed in KOTA Territory after recent national conversations about gun control. But with talk of gun control quieting down, are people still rushing to get their permits? According
Concealed weapons permits sky rocketed in KOTA Territory after recent national conversations about gun control, but with talk of gun control quieting down, are people still rushing to get their permits?
Officers shoot man following chase in southwest SD
Officers shoot man following chase in southwest SD
A suspected drunken driver was shot multiple times after allegedly brandishing a rifle following a half-hour police chase in southwestern South Dakota.
A suspected drunken driver was shot multiple times after allegedly brandishing a rifle following a half-hour police chase in southwestern South Dakota.
Big budget, big plans for Custer
Big budget, big plans for Custer
An ambitious five year plan to improve Custer's infrastructure is far from cheap, but Mayor Gary Lipp says in the end the projects will be worth the price tag. The city plans to spend more than $4
The city plans to spend more than $4 million over the next five years on capital improvements, water, and waste water.
Clear Lake man allegedly shoots 2 others, then kills self
Clear Lake man allegedly shoots 2 others, then kills self
CLEAR LAKE, S.D. (AP) _ Attorney General Marty Jackley says a man shot and wounded two people before killing himself in the northeastern South Dakota city of Clear Lake. Authorities were called
Authorities were called to a home about 9 p.m. Sunday for a reported double shooting. Two people were flown to a hospital while the man alleged to have shot them, 40-year-old Brett Pommer, barricaded himself inside the residence.
Inconsistent tax rates in Custer County hurt housing market
Inconsistent tax rates in Custer County hurt housing market
Some real estate brokers believe the increasing cost of living in Custer County is driving retired people out, and keeping young families from moving in. Brokers say the problem derives from the inconsistency
Brokers say increasing cost of living comes from the inconsistency of tax rates in Custer County.
Peregrine falcons restored in the Black Hills
Peregrine falcons restored in the Black Hills
Raptor biologist Janie Fink is no stranger to the fastest animal in the world. In fact, she's responsible for the release of 45 of them into the wild. The peregrine falcon is capable of dives up to 230
Raptor biologist Janie Fink is no stranger to the fastest animal in the world. In fact, she's responsible for the release of 45 of them into the wild.

Rapid City teacher receives prestigious Milken Award - KOTA Territory News

Rapid City teacher receives prestigious Milken Award

Local News - KOTA TerritoryLocal News KOTA TerritoryMore>>

Most Popular StoriesMost Popular StoriesMore>>