Dear Kadoka Area,
The summer is speeding by; it is with great excitement that I write to you today as a common task of teachers in the summer is increasing their knowledge and competency in the ever-changing world of education. I have been expanding my understanding of education, and I see others also have. How does this work for teachers?
There are typically three avenues that teachers can use to expand skills in the summer, and many times each route can take place in concert with each other. First are experiential jobs, such as summer school or online learning course instruction. Next, higher
education courses are available through our regional and state universities and departmentsâlastly, certificate and specialist certifications through national and regional professional organizations.
Teachers often prefer experiential jobs because they are one of the few summer avenues that can pay a stipend, salary, or hourly wage along with the ability to work with and expand their value as an employee of a district. Although you do not necessarily have to sign a summer job with your school district, often, like our summer program here in Kadoka, teachers stay and learn in their district. However, I have known teachers to take summer teaching and growth positions in other communities for several reasons. Working with large groups of children and students is a skill that can be sharpened and valuable to schools.
Higher education courses are constantly available to teachers in many states, such as our native South Dakota, where all educators must complete a certain amount of specific credits to maintain a license to teach. I am pursuing this option this summer. Classes I have personally taken over my career have allowed me to improve my skills, meet wonderful people who help me and form a core group that will enable us all to grow in our young careers.
The final piece of learning is certificate and specialist certifications that are available. While there is no replacing real work experiences in a topic, educators often need empathy for their students and co-workers to enhance their skills as a teacher. As an administrator, I have taken these courses to help myself better understand diverse cultures and specific educational challenges and build an understanding of upcoming challenges that may arise.
While summer learning is not required, many educators go the extra mile every year, improving staff and child outcomes in all aspects. We are excited to have a great Kadoka Area School District team that regularly engages in these functions. It is a privilege to work with them.
Sincerely,
Mr. Lukens