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Emily Riner

Emily Riner

Region 1 Vice-President

Emily Riner has served on the Perry USD 343 Board of Education for four years. She also currently serves as the Region 1 Vice-President on the KASB Board of Directors.

With a diverse background in education, Emily has taught students of all levels, from kindergarten to graduate school. Becoming a board of education member felt like a natural fit given her background and experience Her firsthand experience in the classroom and as an administrator provides a unique perspective that is helpful when making decisions and allows her to be a better advocate for the students, schools, and community.

Outside of her board responsibilities, Emily serves as a Government Relations Director for Western Governors University. When she's not working, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending quality time with her family, friends, four dogs, and barn cat.

A self-described life-long learner, Emily recognizes the power of quality education in providing a solid foundation for students. She is deeply passionate about her community's well-being and sees quality education as a huge factor contributing to that success.

In her local board role, Emily is committed to making decisions that empower students to become knowledgeable, well-rounded, and productive members of society. Her goal is to foster a sense of pride in the community among students and ensure that schools serve as vital resource centers for children, families, and the larger community.

Emily believes in the importance of the services, resources and trainings provided by KASB. As a KASB board member, she is eager to bring together more members from neighboring school districts to raise awareness of these resources, build relationships and foster collaboration.

One of the most influential people in her life was a family friend from her childhood, Bill Thompson. When he ran for the South Dakota State Legislature, Emily supported his campaign and later served as a page and intern for him. She was inspired by his dedication to service, democracy, and equity, and she learned valuable skills such as time management, responsibility, and research. Bill and his wife Anne were Emily's first supporters when she decided to run for the school board, and she remains grateful for their ongoing support.

Emily recalls her high school anatomy and AP Biology teacher, Mr. Bambas, with great admiration. He had a dynamic energy in the classroom, and despite his high expectations, his teaching style made learning enjoyable and equipped students for success. Emily always aspires to channel Mr. Bambas's energy whenever she is teaching or giving a presentation.

Some of Emily’s favorite books are "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, "The Book of Boundaries" by Melissa Urban, and anything by Brene Brown. She finds inspiration in Gretchen Rubin's reminder not to let perfect be the enemy of the good, a sentiment she carries with her in all aspects of her life.