Erdmann named Mitchell School District Teacher of the Year, Hohbach named Classified Staff of the Year

Yahoo

20-02-2025

Feb. 19—MITCHELL — Attendees at the ceremony to announce the Mitchell School District Teacher of the Year and Classified Staff of the Year Wednesday afternoon found their tables adorned with small Ghiradelli chocolates.
Tressa Wede, a professor of education at Dakota Wesleyan University and emcee for the event, said that was not a coincidence. There are many similes to be found between chocolate and both teaching and working as classified staff in a school district.
"Some days, you get the smooth, creamy truffle of a well-behaved class, where every lesson lands perfectly, every student is engaged and nobody accidentally eats glue," Wede told the audience in attendance. "Other days, well, you bite into the mystery chocolate, and it turns out be the one filled with cough syrup and regret — otherwise known as the day before a full moon, a sudden weather shift or Valentine's Day, when love is in the air and you're dealing with the dramatic study hall love triangles."
Both Danielle Erdmann, who was named Teacher of the Year, and Kayla Hohbach, who was named Classified Staff of the Year, said following the ceremony that their experience in the Mitchell School District has been sweet and enjoyable.
The pair were one of five employees in each category that were up for the annual awards, which are given out every year to outstanding employees in the district.
Erdmann, a science teacher at Mitchell High School, has been teaching for 19 years with 15 years in the Mitchell district specifically. She was honored to even be nominated for the recognition, especially given the company she was among on stage.
"Everybody up there is amazing," Erdmann told the Mitchell Republic following the ceremony. "All the people in my building are rock stars, because I know everybody works just as hard as I do."
A graduate of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, her bachelor's degree is in geology, but she found her true calling when she obtained her teaching certificate and got up in front of a classroom of students.
No two days are the same for her in her Mitchell High School classroom and she has the freedom to approach her lessons as she sees fit, something she feels isn't necessarily the case in every school district.
"I love that every day is different, and that we kind of have autonomy, you know? Our principals let us do our own thing, so every day is different," Erdmann said. "I love all the kids, and I learn just as much from them as you are trying to teach them. I can't imagine doing anything else."
Wede said Erdmann stood out for several reasons.
She said Erdmann regularly uses her work and love of science to inspire her students and challenges students with high expectations while still providing all-important support. She also exemplifies those ideas outside the classroom, Wede said.
"Beyond academics, Danielle invests in building strong relationships, ensuring that every student feels seen, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential," Wede told the audience. "Whether attending extracurricular activities, checking in on former students or advocating for balanced parental involvement in education, she continually demonstrates the depth of her dedication."
Representing the other candidates for the award were Trevor Krugman from Mitchell Middle School, Caitlyn Way from Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary School, Jill Miles from L.B. Williams Elementary School and Stacey Hofer from Longfellow Elementary School.
Classified staff members at the Mitchell School District are no less important than their teacher counterparts, Wede said.
"Teachers may stand at the front of the classroom, (but) they aren't the only ones teaching lessons. In fact, some of the most valuable lessons in a school don't come from a textbook — they come from our incredible classified staff," Wede said. "They're the masters of real-world wisdom, teaching kids and sometimes teachers that lost things magically reappear after you've asked for help."
To that end, Wede announced Hohbach as the Classified Staff of the Year.
Also stationed at Mitchell High School, Hohbach is a paraeducator who works primarily with high-needs students. She works one-on-one with many students, including non-verbal students, but is also a familiar face helping out in other classrooms.
Hohbach, who has been with the district about two and a half years, said there is no place she'd rather be than where she is now.
"Oh, I love it. I wouldn't change my job for anything. It's the best thing I've ever done. I've worked many jobs, and this is the most rewarding," Hohbach told the Mitchell Republic.
The Mount Vernon native had high praise for the teachers she works with and her fellow classified staffers. But she singled out the students she works with for giving her the biggest sense of satisfaction when it came to her work day-to-day.
Those relationships are important to her, she said.
"I think being able to build relationships with these students (is my favorite part). A lot of those that are the challenging ones, once we build that relationship, it's just amazing. You see the changes in them," Hohbach said. "And also, my coworkers are amazing. I couldn't do my job without them."
Wede said that Hohbach brought dedication and creativity to her job, and that her work makes an impact at Mitchell High School. She makes a difference in both the special and general education settings, which allows students to thrive.
Her work also extends into hands-on activities, many of which are familiar to Mitchell School District staffers and students.
"With her background in computers and art, Kayla assists with a variety of classroom activities, including the creation of yearbooks for each student, organizing parties and themed dress-up days," Wede said. "She is dedicated to special projects like the award-winning homecoming door project, Christmas video and the popular Wheel of Doom."
Also named as candidates for the award were Samantha Keckler from Mitchell Middle School, Kate McEntee from Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary School, Cheryl Liddeke from L.B. Williams Elementary School and Kristina Bartscher from Longfellow Elementary.
Wede said the world of education can sometimes be difficult, but it will always be rewarding for those who give of themselves when it comes to teaching their students the ins and outs of classroom lessons and beyond.
"At the end of the day, we wouldn't trade it for anything. Because despite the nuttiness, the chaos, the mystery smells and the 872 unread emails, teaching is one of the sweetest, most rewarding jobs in the world," Wede said.
Recipients of both awards were selected by a district committee. Both award recipients are now eligible for the same respective awards at the district level. They will then also have a chance to advance to the region and state level.