The Learning Link is an e-newsletter for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the University of South Dakota School of Education.
Message from the Dean

Welcome to the Learning Link! Stay connected with the USD School of Education. 


Thank you to all who joined us for a 3-day Professional Development Workshop featuring Dr. Christine Sleeter presented by the USD School of Education and Culturally Responsive Institute. The workshop was attended by higher education faculty & staff, as well as K-12 educators from across the region.


Dr. Sleeter is an international author, speaker, teacher and activist in multicultural/culturally responsive teaching. She was able to engage attendees in considering directions for transforming teacher education in South Dakota, as well as help to identify strategies they might want use to learn about their own students. In addition, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Sleeter while she was with us. View the video interview here


Go Yotes!

Dean Donald Easton-Brooks

Current Student Highlight  

Courtney Cowan was awarded the Mrs. Schaefer's Scholarship

Congratulations to Courtney Cowan  for winning the Mrs. Schaefer’s Scholarship. She is a Elementary Education major entering her senior year. "I decided to pursue a career in education because I wanted to make a difference in students lives. I want students to know that they can do whatever they set their minds to and they can be anything they want to be," said Cowan.
Alumni Spotlight
Robert Mayer, former superintendent of the Lennox School District has been selected as the South Dakota School Superintendent Association’s (SDSSA) Distinguished Service Award recipient. He earned all of his educational degrees from the USD School of Education from his bachelors in 1969 to his master's in 1974 to his doctorate degree in Educational Administration in 1984.

Gavin Utesch has recently moved into a new position with MECA Omaha (Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority). He is now the Event Services Coordinator and in that capacity manages all of the event staff for the CenturyLink Center, CenturyLink Convention Center, and TD Ameritrade Park.  He is a 2017 USD School of Education Sport Management graduate. 

Madison Frain was recently hired as the Compliance Coordinator at the University of North Dakota. In this capacity Madison is responsible for the Grant-In-Aid letters, along with the National letters of Intent. She also helps with the rules education information for the coaches, staff, and student-athletes. She is a 2015 USD School of Education Sport Management graduate. 


Are you a School of Education Alumni? Please submit your updates  here  to be featured in an upcoming edition of Learning Link.

Research Updates


Lisa Newland,  Professor in the Division of Counseling and Psychology of Education, published a paper in the Society for Research in Child Development’s flagship journal, ‘Child Development.’

The research entitled ‘Multilevel Analysis of Child and Adolescent Subjective Well-Being across 14 Countries: Child- and Country-Level Predictors,’ supports a model of child well-being that focuses on healthy contexts and relationships in children’s lives. Learn more about the research study here

  Drew Pickett , Assistant Professor in the Division of Kinesiology and Sport Management, published an article in the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. The research entitled 'Creating Inclusive Physical Activity Spaces: The Case of Body Positive Yoga,' examined ways physical activity instructors can be more inclusive of and supportive of people of all sizes.

On the one hand, physical activity is important for health and a key component in weight management. On the other hand, those with larger bodies feel stigma in gyms and other sports/physical activity spaces. They found that strong leadership and leaders who are social activists, a focus on health rather than size, a culture of inclusion, using inclusive language, and a sense of community encouraged greater participation.
Staff Spotlight
Meet Deidre Whiteman, a new advisor that the USD School of Education has recently added to the fabulous team in the Center for Student and Professional Services! 

Academic advisors are a central part of current students time at USD and we strive to assist our students with the best experience in schedule planning, applying for teacher education and student teaching programs and preparing for a future in education. View contact information for all our advisors  here
ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
Yotes in rarefied air following U.S. Championships: Emily Grove and Chris NilsenSouth Dakota pole vaulters, qualified to represent the United States at the 2017 IAAF World Championships over the weekend. The impressive feat puts South Dakota and Georgia as the only two schools with a 2017 collegiate male and female athlete who have qualified for the World Championships. Fun fact? Emily and Chris are both USD School of Education Kinesiology and Sport Management majors. GO YOTES!

Call For Proposals for the CLEAR Conference on October 20: The USD School of Education invites proposals for presentations and workshops for its inaugural Cultivating Leadership, Education, Achievement and Responsiveness (CLEAR) Conference in Sioux Falls, SD!  Proposals should be submitted through the online proposal form by Sunday, July 30, 2017.

Stay connected with the USD School of Education:  Bookmark this link to have direct access to all the previous and upcoming editions of the Learning Link. 
USD School of Ed Upcoming Events
SAVE THE DATE

JUNE 29  USD on the Move:  Rapid City - Join an alumni social at Vertex Sky Bar for $10 per person. Register here.

JULY 9 Omaha Send Off Party - Did you know the Omaha-area is sending nearly 90 students to USD in the fall?! Join us at DJ's Dugout from 1-2PM to welcome the new students and families while networking with area alumni. Register here.  

JULY 17-28 W e are excited to be hosting the 29th annual Ambassadors of Excellence camp (July 17-28) and 34th Annual SD Governors camp (July 23-28). These programs are a great opportunity for gifted students from around the state to explore, engage and enrich their talents. This year’s theme is focused around the Gandhi quote: You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

JULY 24-28 2017 Summer Institute Rejuvenation for K-12 Educators at the University Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Register here.
Thank you for reading the sixth edition of Learning Link!
If you have a news item that you'd like to submit to an upcoming Learning Link, please reach out to Sydney at: Sydney.Bartunek@usd.edu.