Elkton teachers learn with ‘Inspire’

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ELKTON – The Elkton School District has been “inspired” this academic year.

While inspiration was the district’s theme this past year, it used the Sanford Inspire program resources in its classes.

Through its relationship with South Dakota State University, which is part of the Sanford Education Collaborative, Elkton’s faculty members used the research-based online modules for continuing education.

In addition, Nathan Ziegler, director of the English as a Second Language Program, and Jane Roy, an instructor with the Department of Teaching, Learning and Leadership, used the modules when teaching the English Language Learning cohort at Elkton this past school year.

Ziegler admitted the coursework for the cohort was tough.

“When you’re a full-time teacher and going through something that is this intense, it can be stressful. I think there have been times when they’ve been overwhelmed with all of the work,” Ziegler said. “However, the Sanford Inspire content is really useful in helping the teachers identify practical ways to implement what they’re learning in the class. I think they’re helpful by providing a platform that guides their practice and gives them new ideas.

The activities are engaging and all of the students are doing them. They’re proven to be effective.”

Sanford Inspire is a nationwide initiative led by the private, nonprofit National University System in coordination with universities around the country (the Sanford Education Collaborative).

Supported by philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, who is the visionary of the program, Sanford Inspire is based on the idea that every child should have not one, but many inspiring teachers. Sanford Inspire is achieving this goal by providing access to research-based teaching methodologies, and on-demand, self-guided online courses and video modules that feature inspiring teaching approaches.

The Sanford Inspire online modules can be completed in an hour, and the topics are in learning environment, planning and delivery, motivation, student growth and achievement, and professional practices.

“Teachers are so busy, and have so many things asked of them at the building and district levels but also at the state and national levels, that it’s hard to get good professional development for them,” said Kelly Neill, Elkton’s principal. “There were a wide variety of modules to choose from and our faculty didn’t have to leave the comfort of their classroom.

“The ease of it and the cost of it made it a win/win for us as a school district,” she continued. “We’ll continue it next year. I’ve already told the staff we will, and it was well received. It really was some of the most positive feedback we’ve received on professional development.”

“What was really great was I got tons of feedback on using the modules,” Neill said. “Not only were they relatable to what the teachers were living every day but the modules were also a real-world application piece. Our staff can look at the modules to see how to address something that popped up after not being in your class either last year or any time. We think it’s a valuable resource.”

That’s the news Jennifer Kampmann, an assistant professor and college assessment coordinator in SDSU's Department of Teaching, Learning and Leadership, was hoping to hear when she suggested using Sanford Inspire.

Andrew Stremmel, who is the department head for teaching, learning and leadership, and Kampmann will do a thank-you presentation for the partnership and reward the teachers for their work.

And the relationship will continue to build next academic year.

“And if another district, or several, would like to create a cohort like this one, we’re open to that discussion.”