Head Start director nominates Terry Heldstead for employee all‑star recognition
May 14, 2026 | Sioux Falls School District 49-5, School Districts, South Dakota
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Erica Kogel, Head Start director for Sioux Falls School District 49‑5 and administrator at the Learning Lab, nominated Terry Heldstead for an employee all‑star award, praising Heldstead’s day‑to‑day work supporting preschool students and staff.
Kogel said Heldstead, an educational support professional who prepares and delivers students’ lunches, “follows all of the Head Start guidelines as far as temperature checks and making sure that all the serving sizes are accurate.” Kogel added that Heldstead serves meals, cleans up afterward, and brings food into classrooms.
Kogel described Heldstead’s regular classroom engagement and rapport with students, saying children ask parents each morning whether “Miss Terry gonna come into our classrooms today?” She said Heldstead frequently joins children on the floor for play and helps with arts and crafts, citing those activities as part of Heldstead’s contribution to preparing children for kindergarten.
Beyond routine duties, Kogel highlighted Heldstead’s readiness to help staff and cover vacancies. “If we have a staff member out, she’s the first person to say I can step in and help out in that classroom and do subbing,” Kogel said, noting that familiarity and willingness to fill in reduces the need to hire substitutes.
Kogel offered a specific example of Heldstead going above and beyond: after a break a milk cooler had leaked and the bottom was full of sour milk. Kogel recounted that without prompting Heldstead volunteered to spend “a half hour this morning, and I’m just gonna scour the milk cooler,” a dirty task she completed to the relief of her colleagues.
Kogel characterized Heldstead as a calming, “grandmother” figure in the Learning Lab who monitors the building’s climate and offers emotional support to staff and children when needed. “On behalf of everyone here at the Learning Lab, we just thank Terry,” Kogel said, adding that her presence helps the days run more smoothly.
No formal action was recorded beyond the nomination and public recognition in these remarks.
Kogel said Heldstead, an educational support professional who prepares and delivers students’ lunches, “follows all of the Head Start guidelines as far as temperature checks and making sure that all the serving sizes are accurate.” Kogel added that Heldstead serves meals, cleans up afterward, and brings food into classrooms.
Kogel described Heldstead’s regular classroom engagement and rapport with students, saying children ask parents each morning whether “Miss Terry gonna come into our classrooms today?” She said Heldstead frequently joins children on the floor for play and helps with arts and crafts, citing those activities as part of Heldstead’s contribution to preparing children for kindergarten.
Beyond routine duties, Kogel highlighted Heldstead’s readiness to help staff and cover vacancies. “If we have a staff member out, she’s the first person to say I can step in and help out in that classroom and do subbing,” Kogel said, noting that familiarity and willingness to fill in reduces the need to hire substitutes.
Kogel offered a specific example of Heldstead going above and beyond: after a break a milk cooler had leaked and the bottom was full of sour milk. Kogel recounted that without prompting Heldstead volunteered to spend “a half hour this morning, and I’m just gonna scour the milk cooler,” a dirty task she completed to the relief of her colleagues.
Kogel characterized Heldstead as a calming, “grandmother” figure in the Learning Lab who monitors the building’s climate and offers emotional support to staff and children when needed. “On behalf of everyone here at the Learning Lab, we just thank Terry,” Kogel said, adding that her presence helps the days run more smoothly.
No formal action was recorded beyond the nomination and public recognition in these remarks.
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