2024 Parade Grand Marshal

Dr. Laura Raeder

Principal at Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, Dr. Laura Raeder is a South Dakota native who grew up in Watertown.  After graduating from Watertown High School, she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota-Morris in education with an emphasis on social studies- speech and debate.  Dr. Raeder began her teaching career in Junction City, Kansas where she taught and coached Debate. While teaching there she completed her master’s degree from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.  In 1999 she began teaching for the Sioux Falls School District at Roosevelt High School.  At Roosevelt, she continued her career as a social studies teacher and debate coach.  After several years of teaching, she became an Instructional Coach and then the High School Curriculum Coordinator for the Sioux Falls School District where she was able to help guide teachers in the "what and how" of teaching.  She received her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Dakota.  Additionally, she received an endorsement in leadership and began an administrative career as Assistant Principal at Roosevelt High School before she was named Principal at Lincoln in 2019.

In high school, Dr. Raeder was a member of the Debate team and orchestra.  Her family includes her parents, a sister and brother-in-law, two cherished nephews, and a beloved niece.

Dr. Raeder is an avid runner, completing 100+ marathons in all 50 states and seven continents.  

As Lincoln’s seventh principal in 60 years, she could not be prouder of the Patriot Marching Band.