Capital Connections: A Legislative Experience for Social Studies Educators

Middle and high school civics teachers are invited to register for a professional development opportunity that will bring them into the middle of South Dakota’s 2025 legislative session.

Wendell Van Cleave, Rapid City School District

To raise awareness of the teaching profession and to encourage young people (and adults looking for a new challenge) to consider careers in education, the Department of Education (DOE) has launched a new series of videos. The videos feature South Dakota educators talking about the rewards of being a teacher. This week, we're featuring Wendell Van Cleave, a Rapid City history teacher, who talks about his roundabout pathway to the classroom, investing in students, and understanding the "why" behind his teaching.