Professional development for social studies teachers in 2025
As educators across the state work to implement new Social Studies standards for the 2025-26 school year, the Department of Education (DOE) is providing a variety of supports and resources for teachers, including professional development opportunities for those who teach social studies at all grade levels.
Capital Connections: A Legislative Experience for Social Studies Educators
Middle and high school civics teachers will get a chance to see state government in action when they meet in Pierre during the heart of the state’s legislative session. Attendees will see how elected and appointed officials work together to represent the voices of South Dakotans as they debate important issues that affect their constituents in their communities.
Capital Connections will be held in Pierre on Feb. 3-4, 2025. Teachers who register will receive a $300 stipend and complimentary lodging and meals. Registration begins in early November.
2025 Civics & History Summit
Back by popular demand, the Civics & History Summit is an event hosted by the DOE, featuring engaging keynotes, interactive exhibits, and targeted breakout sessions to address the needs of elementary, middle, and high school social studies teachers.
Each session will provide valuable content, resources, activities, and lesson plans that teachers use in their classrooms to assist in the implementation of the new Social Studies standards. Teachers will also be able to connect with fellow educators from across the state.
This event is open to certified teachers and administrators, homeschool teachers, school board members, and faculty at higher education preparation programs. Attendees who are directly responsible for creating and implementing curriculum around the South Dakota social studies standards are eligible for a $300 stipend.
The Civics & History Summit will take place June 24-25, 2025, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Registration will begin in March 2025. Presenters will receive $150 per session and be reimbursed for travel expenses.
2025 South Dakota History Road Trip
South Dakota educators from grades K-12 are invited to embark on a journey to explore the rich and diverse history of South Dakota by joining the 2025 South Dakota History Road Trip. Each route will lead them to key locations that play a significant role in the state’s history. At each stop, educators will explore the lives of those who shaped South Dakota’s past and continue to impact its present. Regional experts will offer valuable context for educators to consider as they find ways to integrate the experience into lessons for their classroom.
The Road Trip will take place July 14-17, 2025. This event is open to K-12 certified teachers who are directly responsible for creating and implementing curriculum around the South Dakota social studies standards. Participants will receive a $500 stipend, lodging accommodations, meals, and group transportation along the routes. Registration begins in March 2025.
South Dakota Studies Weekly
Beginning Sept. 10, 2024, and lasting until March 31, 2025, the DOE and its approved vendor, Studies Weekly, are offering early access to a school district’s curriculum review team, so they can determine whether the curriculum is something they wish to incorporate locally. This will be online preview access only. The purpose of this early access period is to allow school leaders to fully understand the resources being offered, engage in curriculum mapping, and prepare for implementation in 2025-26. This early access is free.
If your district is interested in gaining early access for its curriculum review team to preview the online resources, please enroll in the South Dakota Studies Weekly A-Z course within the DOE Professional Learning Platform. This course contains recordings of the September and October DOE “Sneak Peek” and “Deep Dive” webinars. These webinars provide more information about the South Dakota Studies Weekly curriculum and take a deeper dive into the online platform, from both the teacher and student perspective. The webinars contain a link to sign up for Early Access of the online platform. Questions regarding Studies Weekly may be directed to Melissa.Bothun@state.sd.us.
