The Presidential Award is such an honor in many ways. This award is not a single recognition. I feel this award recognizes the incredible students, staff, and coaches that have helped shape me into the teacher that I am. I am blessed to go to work each and every day and learn alongside the most incredible students who show me what it means to persevere and celebrate successes. I am so glad I can share this award with them.

Merideth Wald Black Hawk, SD | K-6, Mathematics, 2020

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Merideth Wald has been a mathematics teacher in an elementary classroom for nine years. She has spent those nine years teaching kindergarten, first grade, and currently a kindergarten and first grade combination classroom. All nine years have been at Black Hawk Elementary School, which is part of the Rapid City Area School District. She strives to create an environment that is developmentally appropriate for young mathematicians. She promotes problem solving and discourse to support student success. She believes that every student has the ability to achieve at high levels and she also understands that each student does so at their own pace. Her classroom is an environment the meets each student exactly where they are in their own learning progression. Merideth continues to find ways to support student success both in and out of the classroom. She has served in several ways at the building, district, and state levels. She is currently part of the district Math Leadership Team and the building Leadership Team. She has also been part of the South Dakota Math Standards Revision Team, the SDMath/SDSci Leadership program, and also served on teams to adopt curriculum and create staff professional development. Merideth holds a B.S. in elementary education from Black Hills State University; an M.S. in early childhood education from Capella University; and an Ed.S. in curriculum and instruction from Capella University. She is currently a South Dakota certified elementary teacher.

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