Educators

The Dakota Dreams Teacher Leadership Academy offers teachers who have taught for five+ years an experience-based learning opportunity to further develop their educational leadership skills and explore administrative roles and responsibilities in schools. Teachers who successfully complete the course will earn three graduate credits. These can be applied toward an advanced degree in education.

The Elementary Teacher STEM Initiative is designed to provide 2nd-5th grade teachers with the ability to earn up to 3-credit hours at the graduate level in a course designed to grow their Science, Math, Technology, and Engineering activities in the classroom. Teacher participants will practice the STEM curriculum to align the SD Science and Mathematics standards and develop competency and critical thinking approach as students engage in learning. The course is an intensive week-long residential session with follow-up support.

This program is currently full for summer 2023. Be watching for the summer 2024 application to open next spring!

South Dakota is currently piloting a two-year Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway to provide 60 classified/support staff employed in an accredited school system the opportunity to earn a teaching certificate.

Through completion of this program, participants will earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, special education or secondary education while gaining hands-on experience in the classroom and receiving support from experienced mentors.

Selected participants must be employed as a paraprofessional (also known as an “aide”, “educational assistant” or “teacher’s aide”) during the apprenticeship until the beginning of their student-teaching period. Participants will continue to be compensated at rates determined by the district during this employment.

The expected time to complete the program is two years, assuming a full course load each term. Participants will be responsible for up to $1,000 per year to assist with tuition, the cost of required books and state-designated assessments, such as the Praxis test.

The South Dakota Department of Education is leading this effort in partnership with Dakota State University (elementary and special education), Northern State University (secondary education), the South Dakota Board of Regents, the South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation, and potentially other partners. The effort is aimed at addressing teacher shortage challenges across the state.

The application period for this opportunity has closed. Those selected will begin classes Fall 2023, and courses will count toward the Apprenticeship through the Summer 2025 semester.

As participants graduate OR leave the program, there will be a rolling admission to bring others into the program to maintain the 60 student capacity.