A Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre has been named South Dakota’s 2026 ProStart State Educator of Excellence.
This is the fourth time LaKisha Jordan– known to her students as Chef J– has received the honor from the South Dakota Retailers Association. Previous recognitions for her outstanding achievement in culinary and restaurant management education in the state were achieved in 2014, 2019 and 2024.
ProStart is a nationwide high school curriculum, focusing on culinary and restaurant management skills, that prepares students for leadership positions by integrating hands-on learning in the classroom and mentored work experience. This year, the Pierre ProStart Culinary Team won first place at the state competition (March 10, 2026) for the second year in a row.
Chef J says among the real-world experiences her students receive outside of the classroom are catering events and hosting cooking classes for the community.
“Over the years, I have learned that strong programs do not grow in isolation; they grow when educators share what works. My goal is to help others leave with tools they can apply to strengthen their programs and the confidence to lead a high-functioning ProStart experience.”
Chef J is now a finalist for the National Educator of Excellence Awards (NEEA). These winners are recognized either:
- by category (Classroom Expertise, Best Practice/Knowledge Sharing and Industry Connection), where each category winner will receive a monetary award, or
- as a finalist for the James H. Maynard Teacher of the Year Award, where one winner will receive $10,000.
Administered by the Retailers Association in South Dakota, 25 high schools participate in the ProStart program. To learn more, visit sdra.org/prostart.
2026 South Dakota ProStart state champions, Pierre T.F. Riggs High School. (L to R): Tanir Taylor, Zoe Kinney, Christian Stanley, Emma Robertson and Kate Stolley.
Photo courtesy of the South Dakota Retailers Association.
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