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Member Voices

Meghan Wounded Head, Sioux FallsI'm Meghan Wounded Head, and I teach Accelerated English 2 and AP Literature. This is my eighteenth year of teaching, the past seven at Sioux Falls Washington High School. While I've only been a member of SDEA/SFEA for a few years, I originally joined for security/protection. Serving as high school director for my local, SDEA/SFEA has really given me a spark. As I've grown to further understand the advocacy of SDEA/SFEA, I now know my role in SFEA to give teachers a voice and a positive boost so we can do what's best for our students. I want my colleagues to know we are there for one another and when united, we are stronger. That's what is most important to me - support and collegiality. We all do good things for the children we see every day; Let's support one another along the way. SDEA/SFEA gives us the platform to do that.

Alison TerHorst, Sioux Falls My Name is Alison TerHorst and I am a teacher at Washington High School in Sioux Falls. I teach Psychology I & II, AP Psychology, and Teacher Pathway. I have been teaching for 14 years and have been a part of SDEA for 14 years. To be honest, in the beginning I joined because it sounded like a good protection plan, like insurance. I don’t think I fully understood what the SDEA did. But after building relationships with the past two presidents of the SFEA Pam Oberempt, and Tony Martinet, I am so appreciative of everything they do to support me. I have had a lot of medical scares in my family and the presidents have always helped me know how much time I get and really just helped me in both professional and personal ways. Every year there is something different that I find to appreciate.

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What's Happening

2023 Election Winners4/24/20232023 SDEA Election results

2023 SDEA/NEA Election4/21/2023SDEA/NEA Candidate Statements for the upcoming 2023 election.

SDEA Responds to the Adoption of Social Studies Standards by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards4/17/2023Pierre - The South Dakota Board of Education Standards (SD BOES) adopted the proposed social studies standards. The following comments can be attributed to South Dakota Education (SDEA)President Loren Paul in response to the board’s decision:

Social Studies Standards Debate in SD Enters Home Stretch ➲2/28/2023The state Board of Education Standards could take action at its April meeting on the latest content plan for K-12 social studies classes. The road map for updating what is taught for the subject has been rocky after the first plan was scrapped in 2021. Recent tension has largely centered around forcing younger students to focus more on memorization as opposed to developing critical thinking skills.

Educators and parents protest proposed social studies standards ➲2/13/2023“Parents and teachers were not involved in this set of proposed social studies standards, and that’s an issue because the parents and teachers are the ones that’ll be living these standards another issue we have with the standards is a lot of them are misplaced within the gray bands and our younger students will be learning things like politics and warfare that are just not appropriate for there age group,” said Rapid City teacher Jennifer Macziewski.

Tips & Tools

Freedom to Learn Educators are committed to teaching students a full history, including the good and bad, while helping them develop the critical thinking skills that enable them to be productive citizens committed to our country's great promise; that we are all created equal. State standards should help students develop the necessary critical thinking skills to aid them in becoming productive members of our society. Students deserve standards that challenge them to meet their fullest potential while having the freedom to learn in an environment where they can pursue their passions.

PBS LearningMediaIn this one-hour virtual learning seminar, PBS master trainers and educators share tips and techniques to support engaging, effective distance learning. Educators of children of all ages are introduced to virtual learning technologies, tools, and hacks to set up a digital classroom with confidence.

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A professional organization working hard for educators, so they can continue to work hard for our kids.

Buildings, busses, classes and curriculum. Schoolbooks, pencils, homework and grades. Parents and teachers. Budgets. Taxes. It's easy to get lost in the details when we consider everything educators do to provide the best education for South Dakota's children. The SDEA encourages you to pause and remember: It's about our kids.

What the South Dakota Education Association (SDEA) stands for

Advocating New Directions for Public Education

The SDEA works with our state's elected officials to ensure the best possible outcomes for students and members. Recent accomplishments include improved teacher pay across the state of South Dakota.

Influencing the Decision-Making Process at Local, Regional, State and National Levels

The SDEA works with local leaders to promote increased education funding for a safe and secure learning environment where students are comfortable and eager to learn, and by seeking out the best teachers and education support personnel for South Dakota's schools.

Strengthening the State's Education Workforce

All South Dakota educators benefit from the work of the SDEA, who makes the state's education workforce stronger as a whole.

Empowering Educators Across the State

Through professional development sessions and trainings, the SDEA encourages all educators to continue to develop their craft with hands-on learning.

Questions/Comments

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments:

605-224-9263

411 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501

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