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SD Department of Education
Aug. 2021  
 

Teacher Feature: Meet the latest PAEMST state finalists
Six South Dakota teachers have been named state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This is the highest recognition a K-12 math or science teacher can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Congratulations to these outstanding educators!

Alexis Monroe named South Dakota Art Educator of the Year

Congratulations to Sisseton Middle School art teacher Alexis Monroe on being named South Dakota Art Educator of the Year! Kudos to nominees Michael Aasness (Sioux Valley), Demi Harlan (Dakota Valley), Colleen Mette (Parkston), Susan Bowen (Custer), Shaun Haaseth (Brookings), Barb Newman (Aberdeen Catholic Schools), Megan Petersen (Harrisburg), Jennifer Schell (Northwestern Area), Erin Rieff (Brandon Valley), and David Tuch (West Central).

Tornberg named 2021 SD Outstanding Biology Teacher

Congratulations to Centerville High School teacher Tucker Tornberg on being named South Dakota’s 2021 Outstanding Biology Teacher! Tornberg will receive a $1,000 grant from Sanford Health and be recognized at the South Dakota STEM Ed Conference and the National Association of Biology Teachers Convention.

Proposed content standards posted for public comment

The South Dakota Board of Education Standards will hold four public hearings at locations across the state throughout the 2021-22 school year on proposed content standards in the following subject areas:
  • Career and technical education (Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources; Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications; Finance; Health Science; Human Services; Manufacturing)
  • Fine arts
  • Social studies
Proposed standards are now posted for public comment. Find more information on our Content Standards: Under Review webpage.


Register for Teach South Dakota Conference to be held in October

The Teach South Dakota Conference is a new conference, scheduled for Oct. 12-13, in Mitchell. It’s all about celebrating teaching. Enjoy inspirational speakers, including State Teacher of the Year Amanda Hargreaves, Tara Brown, Sam Glenn, and Sean Covel. Learn who will be South Dakota’s 2022 Teacher of the Year and honor award-winning educators and schools at the Teacher of the Year Banquet!

Educator scholarships available for Community Response to Child Abuse Conference
Incentives are available for educators attending the 21st Annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference, which will have in-person and virtual options Sept. 29-30. The South Dakota Department of Education is providing 200 scholarships for teachers to attend free of cost.

Application deadline extended to Sept. 1: Science and special education teachers needed to help with assessment review
The South Dakota Department of Education has an opportunity for science and special education teachers to help with the review of Performance Level Descriptors and standard setting for the South Dakota Science Assessment (SDSA) and the South Dakota Science Assessment-Alternate (SDSA-Alt). Apply by Sept. 1.

Office of Assessment offering two programs for educators
Beginning in school year 2021-22, the Office of Assessment is offering two great opportunities for educators to learn more about effective use of assessment. Sign up today!

Pledge to Read for the Record by Sept. 30 for chance at a free book
The South Dakota State Library invites educators to participate in the annual Read for the Record event on Oct. 28. This year’s title is Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon. A limited number of free books are available by request from the State Library. First, pledge to host an event in your school by Sept. 30.

Crosswalk between early learning guidelines and kindergarten standards now available
The recently released crosswalk between the South Dakota Early Learning Guidelines and Kindergarten Content Standards is intended to improve daily instruction for those children exiting a pre-kindergarten program and entering a kindergarten program by aligning and coordinating standards across the continuum.

Encourage students to be pages during 2022 legislative session
The South Dakota Legislature is accepting applications from high school students interested in serving as pages during the 2022 legislative session. Students must be juniors or seniors (seniors are given preference), must be sponsored by a legislator and be in good academic standing (3.0 GPA or higher is encouraged).


Midwest Dairy offers ag learning opportunities
Sign up by Sept. 15 to Adopt a Cow for your classroom. This program can be used for in-person or virtual instruction and features mini lessons in math, reading, and science. Participate in virtual chats and farm tours. The program is free for classrooms through the support of sponsors.

Upcoming Events

A complete listing of events is available at GoSignMeUp.

EL Teacher Monthly Check-in Meetings
School year 2021-22

IEP Transition
Aug. 24, Chamberlain
Sept. 1, Sioux Falls
Sept. 8, Aberdeen
Sept. 15, Rapid City
Sept. 16, Mobridge

Planning with the WIDA ELD Standards Framework
Sept. 8 and 15, online, 3-4:30 p.m. CT

IEP Advance – Do you have the evidence?
Sept. 9, Aberdeen, 8-11:30 a.m. CT
Sept. 9, Aberdeen, 1-4:30 p.m. CT
Sept. 21, Rapid City
Sept. 23, Sioux Falls
Sept. 29, online

IEP Basic – HERO in IEP Process
Sept. 10, Aberdeen
Sept. 13, online
Sept. 20, Rapid City
Sept. 24, Sioux Falls
Sept. 28, online

SDMyLife Training Series – Matchmaker, Skills Lab
Sept. 15, 10 a.m. CT, online
Sept. 15, 3 p.m. CT, online

Board of Education Standards
Sept. 20, Aberdeen

IEP Early Childhood Workshop – Building the Bridge
Sept. 21, Rapid City

SDMyLife Training Series – Personality Styles and Learning Styles
Sept. 22, 10 a.m. CT, online
Sept. 22, 3 p.m. CT, online

Getting Started with SDMyLife
Sept. 24, Pierre
Sept. 27, Sioux Falls
Sept. 28, Watertown
Sept. 29, Rapid City
Sept. 30, Mitchell

Community Response to Child Abuse Conference
Sept. 29-30

SDMyLife Training Series – Lessons
Oct. 6, 10 a.m. CT, online
Oct. 6, 3 p.m. CT, online

Embedding Formative Assessment with Dylan Wiliam
Oct. 8, Sioux Falls

Teach South Dakota Conference
Featuring Teacher of the Year Banquet
Oct. 12-13, Mitchell


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