RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – The South Dakota Department of Education is celebrating Amanda Edlund after she was named 2026 Special Education Staff of the Year. The the parent-nominated honor was announced March 4 during the annual South Dakota Special Education Conference in Sioux Falls.
Edlund works as a speech-language pathologist in the Harrisburg School District. She was chosen for her strong dedication to students and the meaningful relationships she builds with their families.
Each year, the Department of Education asks families of students who receive special education services to nominate a staff member who has made a lasting impact on their child’s education. Those nominations can include teachers, directors, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, or paraprofessionals who have worked in the field for at least three years…