DSU hosts SD Educators Rising Conference
February 19, 2025
Over 300 high school students from around the state of South Dakota will visit Dakota State University on Sunday, Feb. 23 and Monday, Feb. 24 for the South Dakota Educators Rising Conference.
Educators Rising is a national organization dedicated to “cultivating a new generation of highly skilled educators by guiding young people on a path from high school through college and into their teaching careers,” according to its website.
The annual South Dakota Educators Rising Conference rotates location each year between South Dakota colleges and this year is Dakota State’s turn to host.
Approximately 225 high school students will arrive on Sunday to participate in competitions related to the following categories, children’s literature, creative lecture, Educators Rising moment, ethical dilemma, job interview, lesson planning & delivery, PSA teacher recruitment, teacher created materials, and interactive bulletin board. A dozen area educators will judge the sessions.
Sunday’s activities will wrap up with a social at the Community Center, where attendees can swim, use the three gyms, the climbing wall, watch movies, and enjoy a popcorn snack.
On Monday, students will attend a keynote session at Dakota Prairie Playhouse at 8:30 a.m. before moving to the Kennedy Center to choose from different breakout sessions. The breakout sessions will cover topics such as the science of reading, classroom management, using AI, and math. Participants will attend three 40-minute breakout sessions and end the day with awards from the competitions.
There will also be 10-15 vendors located in the Kennedy Center, which will include other area colleges.
The event was organized by the DSU College of Education & Human Performance and South Dakota Educators Rising State Director Travis Lape with the help of Fenecia Homan, dean of the governor’s cyber academy.