An Aberdeen teacher has been named the Department of Education’s (DOE) 2025 Special Education Staff of the Year.
Eric Pedersen, a special education teacher at Central High School, Aberdeen School District, was chosen because of his unwavering commitment to his students.
“Eric Pedersen exemplifies the heart of special education,” said Linda Turner, Director of the DOE’s Division of Special Education and Early Learning. “He supports and encourages his students to be responsible and to engage in their learning in the classroom and community to achieve their goals.”
Each year, the Department of Education invites families of students who receive special education services to nominate a special education staff member who has made an outstanding contribution to the education of their child. Nominees may include teachers, directors, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, or paraprofessionals who have served in their profession for three or more years.
Pedersen was one of 70 special education staff in South Dakota who were nominated this year. “The high number of nominations confirms the passion and commitment of professionals working with students with special needs,” said Turner.
Five finalists were chosen from those nominations, and Pedersen was announced as the winner on March 19 at the 2025 South Dakota Special Education Conference in Rapid City. The other four finalists for the 2025 Special Education Staff of the Year were:
- May Amodia, special education teacher, Sisseton School District;
- Grant Dunbar, special education teacher, Sioux Falls School District;
- Donnell Houx, speech language pathologist, Oglala Lakota County School District; and
- Hannah Lunden, special education teacher, Deuel School District.
Linda Turner, Director of the DOE’s Division of Special Education and Early Learning with 2025 South Dakota Special Education Teacher of the Year nominees.
Courtesy photo.
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