Teach SD, April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

DOE’s GED program offers opportunities for high school students

The GED credential can be a viable option – allowing the holder to move towards their goals and build a future with career options that will last a lifetime.

Sioux Falls school earns national school counseling recognition

Jefferson High School was one of 190 schools throughout the nation, and the only one in the state, to receive the designation.

“This Place Matters” 2025 student essay contest winners announced

Three South Dakota fourth graders have been named winners of the South Dakota State Historical Society Historical Preservation Office’s annual Fourth Grade Student Essay Contest.

image of items included in the culinary kit

Farm to School Kits available for K-5 classrooms

Culinary kits for K-5 classrooms focus on hands-on learning about making healthy choices with local foods.

May 2 is School Lunch Hero Day

This Friday, make sure your school’s lunch staff feels appreciated for all they do.

Science assessment review opportunity available for teachers

Science educators are invited to be a part of the Science Content Item Review with the Department of Education’s assessment team.

Board of Education Standards approves content standards

The South Dakota Board of Education Standards has approved content standards for English Language Arts, Computer Science, and the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings. The newly adopted standards can be found on the Department of Education’s Content Standards webpage.

The Teacher Feature highlights two teachers this month: Jordan Fast and Nancy Block are the 2025 South Dakota History Teachers of the Year. Read more about why they love teaching history, and the ways they make it engaging for their students.

Jordan Fast
High School Government and History
Sioux Valley School District

Nancy Block
Fourth Grade
Webster Area School District

This section highlights upcoming professional development opportunities offered by the Department of Education. For a full list of trainings, visit DOE's new professional development platform at sded.sd.gov.

SPED Legal Webinar 3: IEP Progress Monitoring
Online, self-paced

Under IDEA, the Individual Education Program (IEP) is the roadmap. Drafting a legally sound IEP is step one in ensuring a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Implementing the IEP with fidelity is step two. Timely and meaningful progress reporting is step three. In this two-hour webinar, experienced attorney Elena Gallegos will discuss the importance of IEP implementation and progress reporting. Ms. Gallegos will explain how to effectively monitor student progress, and provide practical tips for when a student is not making progress.

Elevate. Educate. Empower. Moving Literacy Across South Dakota
June 2-3, Sioux Falls

All South Dakota educators who teach in areas with strong literacy connections are invited to attend this literacy conference committed to moving literacy forward in South Dakota. This FREE professional development event is designed to equip educators with the latest research, tools, and best practices to support literacy development in students of all ages. With a focus on Science of Reading research and strategies, participants will gain new insights and understandings into how students learn to read and write. This event is hosted by the South Dakota Department of Education as part of its statewide literacy initiative.

Participants will have the opportunity to register for graduate credit or continuing education contact hours. Register online. For more information, contact Patti Lager.

K12 Educators Cyber Camp
June 16-20, Dakota State University

Middle and high school science, technology, engineering, and math educators are invited to immerse themselves in a world of technology and educational innovation at the K12 Educators Cyber Camp. This camp will provide valuable opportunities for building connections that will foster collaboration and community engagement. Topics include AI and machine learning, computational skills in chemistry and biology, quantum computing, and more! Questions? Contact cyberacademy@dsu.edu.

Meals, lodging, and limited stipends are available for participants. Learn more and register on the K12 Educators Cyber Camp webpage.