The teachers in Rapid City might be working without a contract and disputing salary proposals, but they haven't forgotten their primary mission: Teaching kids - and it appears they are doing a great job with it.

That was evidenced early this week at the annual Rapid City Area Schools awards presentations. All of those recognized by their co-workers and administration exhibited the qualities imperative to quality education: Commitment to the students and readiness to look beyond the board room and focus on the classroom.

Jackie Swanson was named 2008 Rapid City Teacher of the Year. Swanson has been teaching for more than 30 years, and today she's at North Middle School.

Swanson has a positive attitude and compassion for students that we think could be seen in many of the districts classrooms. Although many students at the school face challenges outside the classroom, she noted, it was a challenge she was ready to meet and the students would be the better for it.

We agree and hope, as discussions about the future of the district continue, the challenge to best serve the students is kept first and foremost on the minds of board members and administrators.

Several other teachers were also recognized with three receiving the Golden Apple Award - Alayna Siemonsma of South Park Elementary, Al Johnson of West Middle School and Melinda Keefe of Rapid City Academy - and others noted as Teachers of Distinction.

These teachers, and many others, espouse the ideals we like to see in the district. Siemonsma said functioning as a team is critical to students' success; Johnson encourages students through his enthusiasm and creativity to "shine" and Keefe - who creates a team atmosphere in the classroom - encourages students to be accepting of differences.

The school district hasn't been on the smoothest path recently. The budget issues have resulted in cuts to important programs and activities. And yet, in the midst of the revolving issues, we think most teachers haven't forgotten why they do what they do. And that's important because they're on the front lines working one on one with the students. If the eight hours in school isn't a positive and educational experience for a child, the results are hard to manage.

Swanson said she's aware of the woes facing the district, but that shouldn't drive district employees and administration apart and, at North, it doesn't.

"We're part of an overall team," she said. "It is not a 'them vs. us' situation. We are encouraged to feel safe to speak up and not be scrutinized."

Those are sentiments that should be district wide.

The commitment to education displayed by these teachers and others in the district is commendable. We hope the budget can be successfully managed and salaries are finalized.

In the meantime, hats off to the teachers for the work they are doing in Rapid City classrooms.