RAPID CITY, SD — South Park Elementary has found its way to national attention following the nomination of first grade teacher Megan Knutson for the prestigious “America’s Favorite Teacher” Award.

“America’s Favorite Teacher” is a national competition driven by public voting designed to recognize the skilled and often demanding work of educators, and acting as a fundraiser benefitting the Planetary Foundation, an organization founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan which seeks to advance the scientific exploration of space.

“It’s definitely very humbling to be nominated. It’s nothing that I would ever expect, and it’s an honor to be recognized for just doing what I love.” said Knutson, an educator for eight years, three of which have been spent at South Park Elementary. 

“I’ve always loved children, and I love that I get to help them discover who they are as learners, And help them become confident and love to learn,” said Knutson, who credits the nomination to her focus on developing personal relationships based on building the confidence of children who are still new to educational settings. If victorious, Knutson is hopeful to gift the prize money to her school.

The grand prize for the competition is $25,000, a trip to Hawaii, a feature in Reader’s Digest, and a school assembly hosted by educator and former Planetary Society CEO “Bill Nye The Science Guy”.