A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, honoring and commending the educators of South Dakota for their service and dedication in unprecedented times.

WHEREAS, schools are the backbone of our democracy, providing young people with the knowledge and skills to instill the values of freedom, equality, and civic duty; and

WHEREAS, all education employees—be they teachers, instructors of higher education, preschool educators, education support professionals and paraprofessionals, specialized instructional support personnel, district and school level administrators, school boards, or substitute teachers—work tirelessly to provide high-quality instruction and safe, healthy learning environments for South Dakota's students, even in unprecedented times; and

WHEREAS, educators devoted countless hours to continue teaching our young people, learning new and innovative ways to develop and deliver learning that included, not only academics, but also character, creativity, and social-emotional learning; and

WHEREAS, educators engaged our families in every community to partner and support their children's learning and growth, both when learning in-person and remotely, and collaborated with community partners to continue to meet the basic needs of our children, especially those experiencing poverty or food insecurity;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Sixth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that the Legislature honors and commends all South Dakota educators and educational staff for their dedicated service to our students and our communities in times of uncertainty and hazard caused by the COVID-19 viral pandemic.