Brennan of Waverly-South Shore Named 2026 History Teacher of the Year

Mrs. Brett Brennan, a social science teacher at Waverly-South Shore School, has been named the 2026 History Teacher of the Year for South Dakota by the Gilder Lehrman Institute. The award recognizes excellence in the teaching of history at the K-12 level in all 50 states, Department of Defense schools, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories. 

Each year, thousands of teachers are nominated by students, parents, fellow teachers, and community members. Each state convenes a committee of history teachers, professors, and other education professionals to review the nominated teachers in their home state. Each state winner is awarded $1,000 and becomes a nominee in the national contest. The national panel of eminent historians, former winners, and master teachers will meet and select the 2026 National History Teacher of the Year in September.

Brennan has been an instructor in the Waverly-South Shore School District since 2009, and she has been teaching high school social science since 2017. She has led Waverly-South Shore to eight Lake Region-Eastern Coteau (ECC) Conference National History Day Competition championships. She was also selected to attend two prestigious summer study opportunities. Brennan was paired with student Emily Heuer to participate in the National History Day Summer Institute at Pearl Harbor in 2023. In 2026, she and student Carlee Mushitz traveled to study at the Albert H. Small Normandy, France Institute.

 Brennan was awarded the South Dakota Governor’s Award for History Teacher of the Year in 2022. In 2024, she won the Loren Lutz National History Day Teacher of the Year. In 2025, she was South Dakota’s sole nominee for the National History Day National Teacher of the Year.

“This is a well-deserved honor!” said Waverly-South Shore School District Superintendent Jon Meyer. 

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