To the Timber Lake community,
On Friday, Nov. 19, I had the opportunity to visit your school, a trip I’ve been anticipating with excitement for some time. The Timber Lake school has consistently performed well in many measures of school performance — academics, attendance, climate, and graduation — and I wanted to see it in person. The visit was everything I had hoped for and more.
Seeing the school facilities, teachers and students in action, and some of the special offerings your community has prioritized like Panther Academy, preschool and junior kindergarten, library services, and access to a variety of courses (the arts, Spanish, Lakota literature, career and technical education, and more), underscored the lengths your community has gone to for the betterment of your young people and their futures.
The day started in Mr. Martin’s office, visiting with him and school board members Jake Kraft and Tyrone Kraft. Then students gave me tours of their buildings, showed me the ways their classes are structured, and talked about the values they’re learning and practicing. It’s powerful to hear students articulate the appreciation they have for their teachers and the one-on-one support they receive.
The day ended with an assembly with the high school students, a conversation about special education services, and the school’s Native American education programs.
Great schools tend to have four characteristics: strong leaders, supportive communities, talented teachers, and high expectations for students and staff. Timber Lake has those in spades. Be proud of the investments you’ve made in the school, and be proud of Mr. Martin and his team for the many ways they support your students day in and day out.
Thank you for sharing your school with me. Keep up the great work!
Tiffany Sanderson,
SD Secretary of Education