Professional development for social studies teachers in 2025

Social studies teachers have great options for professional development in 2025 as they prepare to implement the new social studies standards in school year 2024-25.

Amy Verhelst SD 2025 Teacher of the Year

In an effort to raise awareness of the teaching profession and to encourage young people and second career individuals to consider a career in education, the Department of Education (DOE) is launching a new series of videos. These videos feature South Dakota educators talking about the rewards of being a teacher here in The Mount Rushmore State. They are genuine, heart-felt, and inspiring, and we invite you to share widely on your own social media platforms and with specific students that you think would make good teachers. We will be showcasing these videos here in TeachSD over the next months, starting with South Dakota’s 2025 Teacher of the Year Amy Verhelst. To see more videos featuring South Dakota educators, visit SDteach.org.

This self-paced book study uses Jimmy Casas’ book, “Culturize,” to examine ways educators can positively impact their school culture and climate by employing four core principles. The course comes with a variety of learning materials, readings, school culture and climate surveys, group discussions, and weekly assignments. Each person enrolled will receive Jimmy Casas’ book “Culturize” for their own personal resource.

Those who successfully complete the course will receive 15 CECHs. For more information, email Marta Henriksen.

The South Dakota Office of Indian Education hosts an annual Indian Education Summit for educators and students to develop their understandings and experiences. The summit offers an opportunity for educators to learn about different initiatives, strategies, and networks that are available to assist them in incorporating South Dakota history within their classrooms, schools, and communities. The 2024 summit will be held Nov. 14 at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Pierre. Youth Day will be held the following day, Nov. 15, also in Pierre. See the Office of Indian Education website for details.

This fully online and self-paced course is designed for librarians, teachers, specialists, paraprofessionals, administrators, and coordinators. The course will inform participants about textual literacy through units on reading fundamentals, reading for personal growth, reading for academic growth, and special topics in literacy. The course can be completed in one month; those who successfully complete the course will receive 30 CECHs (free) OR two graduate credits from the University of Sioux Falls ($90).