Local Hero: USD Graduate and Huron Native, Jennifer Lowery, Guides Tea Area School District's Expansion and Progress

Jennifer Lowery, a graduate of the University of South Dakota (USD), has been performing well in her role as the Superintendent of the Tea Area School District. Lowery, who was born and raised in Huron, South Dakota, was motivated by her father and grandfather to choose a career in education. She completed her undergraduate degree in secondary math education from Dakota Wesleyan and later earned a master's degree in educational psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After teaching high school math at Aberdeen Central for six years, she joined the Tea Area School District in 2011.

Lowery's time at the Tea Area School District has been characterized by professional development. After her appointment as principal and district curriculum director, she was asked to serve as the interim superintendent, a position that later became permanent. During this time, Lowery also continued her education, earning both an Ed.S. and Ed.D. from the University of South Dakota’s School of Education Division of Educational Leadership.

Under Lowery's leadership, the Tea Area School District has expanded. In the last ten years, the district has added over 1,000 students. To manage this increase, the district has built 78 elementary school classrooms and is expanding the high school. The community has supported these changes, approving over $60 million in additional taxes to fund the schools' expansion.

Lowery's leadership has also allowed her to serve her own children. She remembers a moment when her son, one of the first students in a new classroom, shared his excitement about the experience. This was a significant moment for her.

In 2023, Lowery was named South Dakota’s Superintendent of the Year in recognition of her hard work and commitment. Now, as a seasoned superintendent and adjunct professor at USD, she aims to guide others in their careers. She sees this as an opportunity to give back and assist others in their professional development. Lowery's career demonstrates the positive effects of dedicated work on individuals and communities.

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