When students think of what makes a great teacher, things that come to mind are creativity, inclusion, the ability to have fun, intelligence and a personal experience. O’Gorman German teacher Anika Rodig exceeds all of these expectations and beyond.

Born and raised in Berlin, Germany, Rodig became an exchange student in her junior year of high school at Lincoln High School. Rodig moved back to Germany for college. After graduating, she returned to Sioux Falls where she and her family currently reside.

To say that Rodig is a great teacher is an understatement. Her ability to understand students and ensure they gain an understanding of the material and can apply the content all while making the class fun are a few of the reasons she won the South Dakota World Language Association Teacher of the Year Award.

O’Gorman is blessed to have her as a teacher. Students have grown very fond of her; “Frau Rodig has a great sense of humor and is very patient with students,” sophomore Sarina Ellenbecker said.