HARRISBURG, S.D. — Tracy Kern, a dedicated Teacher Leader from the Harrisburg School District, has been named a recipient of the prestigious Educators Rising Champion Award. This national recognition is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to inspiring, developing, and supporting the next generation of educators.
Tracy’s journey with Educators Rising South Dakota began in 2018, when she stepped forward as a founding member of the organization’s state board of directors. At the same time, she was launching her own high school chapter of Educators Rising at Harrisburg High School—a bold move that reflected her vision, passion, and leadership.
Since that time, Tracy has helped grow her chapter into a thriving, impactful program. Her efforts have not only connected countless students to opportunities in the field of education but also strengthened the state’s efforts to “grow our own” future teachers. Under her leadership, Harrisburg has become a model program—offering dual credit education courses as part of the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway in Education and Training.
These opportunities give high school students a head start in pursuing careers in teaching, while reinforcing the value of education as a profession.
“Tracy Kern has been instrumental in shaping the vision and direction of Educators Rising South Dakota,” said Travis Lape, State Director. “She leads with purpose, lifts others up, and has inspired both students and colleagues across the state. This national recognition is a true reflection of her impact.”
Tracy will be honored at the Educators Rising National Conference during a special general session lunch on Friday, June 27th at noon in Orlando, Florida. The Champion Award celebrates outstanding contributions to the field of education and recognizes those who go above and beyond to develop future teacher leaders.
Please join us in celebrating Tracy Kern for this well-earned and meaningful recognition. Her work continues to inspire a new generation of educators in South Dakota and beyond.
We are #TigerProud! 🐾