HARRISBURG, S.D. – The Harrisburg School District welcomes Dr. Sara Vande Kamp to the School Board. This is her first year serving in the role, and she brings with her a strong background in education and a deep connection to the Harrisburg community.
Dr. Vande Kamp currently serves as the Eastern South Dakota Perkins Consortium Director, working in partnership with Southeast Technical College and the South Dakota Department of Education. In addition to her full-time work, she also teaches as an adjunct instructor at multiple institutions.
Her passion for education is both professional and personal. She is the mother of two daughters—one currently a fifth grader in the District and the other a future Harrisburg Tiger.
“I came to college in the area over 20 years ago and never left because I loved it so much,” Vande Kamp said. “As a parent and someone deeply committed to work in education, I serve to help ensure our schools equip all learners with the tools and preparation they need to thrive in a changing world.”
For Vande Kamp, serving on the School Board is a way to give back to the community that welcomed her and her family. She said it allows her to play an active role in ensuring that every student has access to the opportunities they need to succeed.
“Our district is a place where innovation, community values and student success go hand in hand,” she said. “We are driven by passionate educators, dedicated families and resilient students working together to build a strong future. I’m proud to be part of it and truly believe it is the best in our state.”
Outside of her professional and volunteer roles, Vande Kamp describes herself as a lifelong learner who believes education should spark both curiosity and confidence. In her free time, she enjoys visiting classrooms, arranging flowers, spending time outdoors and having conversations over coffee—often thinking about how creativity and structure can come together to build something meaningful.