SFLS Teacher Named 2024 Childcare/Preschool Provider of the Year
We are pleased to share that Mrs. Sara Brinkman, 4-year-old preschool teacher at Sioux Falls Lutheran School, is ‘hood Magazine’s 2024 Childcare/Preschool Provider of the Year.
Photo Credit: Solis Photography
Chosen from more than 30 nominees, including three other SFLS preschool teachers, Mrs. Brinkman is in her fourth year of teaching at SFLS. She has been a preschool educator for more than 20 years and shared with ‘hood Magazine that teaching is “in her blood,” as both her mother and her paternal grandmother were teachers.
Mrs. Brinkman was nominated by two Sioux Falls Lutheran School families for the award:
“Mrs. Brinkman’s classroom exemplifies the true definition of going above and beyond. Superior and creative academic lessons, along with the social/emotional components that are tied into each day, show us that our kiddos are getting an all-encompassing education that they can use at school and out in the community as they continue to grow! We will forever be grateful to have been a part of Mrs. Brinkman’s preschool family.” -Amanda (Mom), Michael and Camila (Students)
“Mrs. Brinkman does an amazing job of creating a fun and interactive learning experience for her students. Every day she has new and engaging activities set up for the children to learn from. Mrs. Brinkman is also very understanding of the needs of her students and teaches with a genuine desire to make a difference. Our daughter enters her classroom with a big smile on her face and leaves the same way, every time telling us that she “had the best day ever!” -Dustin (Dad) and Everly (Student)
Photo Credit: Solis Photography
In addition to Mrs. Brinkman, three other Sioux Falls Lutheran School teachers were nominated for ‘hood’s 2024 Childcare/Preschool Provider of the Year award and a fourth was nominated for ‘hood’s 2024 Educator of the Year award:
Elizabeth Larson, 1-Year-Old Preschool Teacher
Childcare/Preschool Provider of the Year Nominee
“Ms Larson understands and encourages appropriate child development in her classroom. My son was not only safe but nurtured in loving hands that communicated and made us a team in his year with her. My son grew so much in her classroom!”
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Heather Miller, 3-Year-Old Preschool Teacher
Childcare/Preschool Provider of the Year Nominee
“Our family has been blessed to have had Heather teach 3 of our children. She prioritizes her faith, and the faith of her students. She allows our children’s personalities shine and motivates them to learn and grow independently. She loves her students and their families, so much so that she starts to feel like she’s a part of yours.”
and
“There are no words to describe how wonderful Ms. Miller is with her students. She cares for each of them like her own and teaches the kids so far above and beyond what is asked of her. I truly feel like she really gets to know the kids so she can help them at their level. She’s beyond wonderful and I couldn’t imagine anyone more deserving of this title.”
and
“Miss Miller’s ability to wrangle, nurture, lead, teach and entertain a group of 3-4 year olds is unmatched. Her empathy and passion for her students is indescribable. My son has so much excitement about school and the fun activities Miss Miller plans. He has learned how to voice his emotions and navigate his tantrums in a healthy way. He continues to develop academically and she is the reason for his success. She is so giving and caring, all while keeping school fun! We love that she shares her faith and love for Jesus with the kids in a way they understand and can relate. SFLS is the best home for my children and I am so thankful for Miss Miller.”
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Christina VanDenHoek, 4-Year-Old Preschool Teacher
Childcare/Preschool Provider of the Year Nominee
“Mrs. VanDenhoek is an outstanding teacher. She is so kind, patient, and understanding when it comes to each and every child in her class. She sends us messages and pictures throughout the day of our kiddo so we can see the accomplishments and excitement. She also is so attentive to our child’s individual needs and makes him feel so incredible special and confident in himself and what he can achieve. Our kiddo struggles with drop off and each morning she makes sure he is well taken care of, smiling, and playing within a few minutes of us leaving. She also has advanced our child’s learning so much through the unique and interactive activities she has them do each day. Finally, she went above and beyond in helping us change up our school schedule when we had a need for increasing it. She took care of contacting the admin and whomever else was needed to facilitate the change in his schedule. She truly cares of about each child and their family. We are so incredibly blessed to have her as our kiddo’s teacher for the year!”
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Jade Fjelstad, 4-Year-Old Preschool Teacher
Educator of the Year Nominee
“Mrs. Fjelstad is an amazing preschool teacher. It was my twins first year at the school and she treated them and every other student as another person in her family. There were different instances throughout the school year that our kids’ struggled to cope with, and she willingly jumped in and made sure that they got the extra attention that was needed during that time. The amount that they learned while with her was amazing. They could count almost to 100 before even going into kindergarten. Even when she sees past students in the hallways she checks in on them. She couldn’t be more loving and caring to all of the kids that she has had in her care. She is a true example of what a great teacher looks like and how they go above and beyond their job to ensure that each kid grows mentally and spiritually while with her.”
About Sioux Falls Lutheran School
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is a family community committed to developing capable Christian servant-leaders in a complex world who are World Ready and Faith Secure. We are passionate about giving our students the tools they need to be successful academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We strive to accomplish this goal by maintaining high academic standards, employing excellent teachers, and upholding a Christian worldview drawn from Scripture. Ultimately, our vision is to partner with families in preparing children, as led by the Holy Spirit, for faithful and bold use of their God-given gifts to navigate and serve a complex world with the love of Christ.