Latest news with #OcetiSakowin
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Washington High's Bruce Rekstad named Sioux Falls School District's Teacher of the Year
Bruce Rekstad, an Očéti Šakówiŋ Owáuŋspe teacher at Washington High School, has been named the 36th Annual Dr. John W. Harris Teacher of the Year for the Sioux Falls School District. Rekstad, 74, has taught for 33 years, first at a tribal school in Crow Creek and then at Flandreau Indian School. He began at WHS in 2002, making this his 23rd year in the district. The OSO class he teaches is a newer course and curriculum that covers Indigenous history and culture specific to the Oceti Sakowin people of this area, and an updated name for the former Native American Connections courses at the district's schools. More: 'We're human beings, not fairy tales': Indigenous youth share why Native American Day matters in 2021 Superintendent Jane Stavem said Rekstad was described as passionate and empowering; a collaborative leader, mentor and lifelong supporter of students; a friend long after graduation; and, someone who makes students of all backgrounds feel respected and valued. 'Interactions with this teacher have been described as life-changing and transformative due to the generational impact this teacher has had on Sioux Falls school students,' Stavem said. Rekstad won a $4,000 check from Vern Eide, which has provided a financial award to the winner each year since 1989. Last year's winner: Sioux Falls School District names Susan Thies as Teacher of the Year for 2024 Other finalists for Teacher of the Year included Jennifer Aerts, a second grade teacher at Horace Mann; Scott Amundson, a learning center teacher at Lincoln High School; Bryan Aukerman, an English teacher at Washington High School; and Jessica Foley, a fifth grade teacher at Terry Redlin Elementary School. 'All we do is appreciate the students,' Rekstad said of himself and the other finalists. 'I'm just honored to be in the presence of the other four.' Each of those four finalists received $1,000 awards from the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation, an increase from the $100 awards the Foundation has given to finalists in years past. There were 83 teachers nominated before judges selected the five finalists, and each of the nominees were recognized at the Teacher of the Year event at Ben Reifel Middle School on Monday night. There have been more than 1,100 nominees and finalists over the years since the district started offering the award. Judges for the award program included a school board member, a former Teacher of the Year winner, a retired principal, a community member and a representative from Vern Eide. Rekstad said as a teacher, he looks for the good in every student. 'It's like that little piece of gold, it's in there somewhere; you've got to move a lot of dirt sometimes with students, but it's still there, and that's what we've got to find each and every day,' he said in his acceptance speech. WHS senior Rosalia Szameit celebrated Rekstad's win on Monday night. She said Rekstad is 'basically my grandpa' and one of her best friends at WHS after she took his OSO class as a freshman and took his Indigenous Studies class last semester. Rekstad also oversees WHS' Okichiyapi Club, which Szameit is the president of. She said Rekstad motivates his students and is always supportive of them. 'He's always cheering up my day. He always makes me laugh and makes me smile, and no matter the situation, he's always going to be there,' she said. 'He's always the light in any situation. He's always fantastic, and always trying to encourage everyone to be involved.' More: Some Sioux Falls Indigenous students used their day off to celebrate Native American Day Heather Goodface-Ferguson, an Indian education liaison for the district, has worked with Rekstad for five years in the district, including helping him offer a Lakota language course for a semester when there was no teacher for one. Now, Rekstad is teaching Goodface-Ferguson's freshman son, Chael Ferguson. She said Rekstad does a 'great job' making sure Chael gets good grades, and still stays in touch with her. Assistant superintendent Jamie Nold, who worked with Rekstad during his time as principal at WHS, said Rekstad has been an 'incredible teacher' for so many students over the years. 'He truly does dig to look for the goodness in every kid,' Nold said. More: Jamie Nold named next superintendent for South Dakota's largest school district Samantha Swier said both she and her daughter were 'lucky enough' to have Rekstad as a teacher, noting not many parents get to 'pass off their favorite teacher to their child,' adding that he was 'amazing.' Swier was in Rekstad's first class of students when he started at WHS. 'He takes on the responsibility of guiding a student population that is often left behind, has high dropout rates, systemic barriers, and a cultural disconnection in the school system, and he takes them and he challenges them, and lets them know that they are capable, they are worthy, and that they are destined for success,' Swier said. Rekstad tracks each of his students' progress in school, stays on top of their grades and encourages them 'to push past their limitations' and becomes a lifelong supporter of each student, Swier said. In the OSO class, Rekstad's culturally responsive teaching methods make an 'immense impact,' Swier said, as he ensures Native American history and traditions are represented correctly in his curriculum and gives students a 'strong sense of identity and pride in their heritage.' 'His legacy is one of hope, empowerment and unwavering belief in his students,' Swier said, adding that Rekstad's work is 'crucial to South Dakota.' This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Bruce Rekstad named Sioux Falls School District's Teacher of the Year
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
South Dakota Senate rejects effort to boost Native American history, culture lessons in schools
John HultSouth Dakota Searchlight PIERRE — A bill to move Native American culture and history from a permitted to a required part of South Dakota's curriculum was loosened by its sponsor in the state Senate on Tuesday, but still failed its floor vote. In its original form, Senate Bill 196 would have mandated the teaching of the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings. The phrase 'Oceti Sakowin' refers to the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people. The set of standards and lessons was adopted seven years ago by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards with input from tribal leaders, educators and elders. A survey conducted by the state Department of Education indicated use of the Essential Understandings by 62 percent of teachers, but the survey was voluntary and hundreds of teachers did not respond. The bill from Sen. Tamara Grove, R-Lower Brule, passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously one week ago. On the Senate floor, Grove moved an amendment that tossed the requirement that the standards be taught in favor of a requirement that the state's Indian Education Advisory Council and heads of the education departments in the state's nine tribes be involved in the next rewrite of the understandings. 'This amendment addresses the concerns of the education department,' Grove said Tuesday. Education Secretary Joe Graves told the Education Committee last week that the state doesn't need additional mandates beyond math, science, social studies and English-language arts/reading. Grove said mandated deeper involvement by tribes and the advisory council would mean Native Americans would 'be at the table when the sausage is made.' Sen. John Carley, R-Piedmont, spoke against the amended bill. He called it 'a mandate of a mandate,' as portions of the understandings are already folded into the social studies standards created at the state level. The state's educators have more important things to worry about than Oceti Sakowin lessons, he argued. 'If we're going to remandate a mandate, I'd recommend we remandate math and reading,' Carley said. The Senate voted 28-7 to defeat the bill. Meanwhile, Gov. Larry Rhoden announced Tuesday that he signed related legislation into law that will require all certified teachers, rather than only new educators or those moving from out-of-state, to take a course in South Dakota Indian Studies.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SD Senate rejects effort to boost Native American history, culture lessons in schools
State Sen. Tamara Grove, R-Lower Brule, testifies Feb. 18, 2025, on the South Dakota Senate floor at the state Capitol in Pierre. (John Hult/South Dakota) PIERRE — A bill to move Native American culture and history from a permitted to a required part of South Dakota's curriculum was loosened by its sponsor in the state Senate on Tuesday, but still failed its floor vote. In its original form, Senate Bill 196 would have mandated the teaching of the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings. The phrase 'Oceti Sakowin' refers to the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people. The set of standards and lessons was adopted seven years ago by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards with input from tribal leaders, educators and elders. A survey conducted by the state Department of Education indicated use of the Essential Understandings by 62% of teachers, but the survey was voluntary and hundreds of teachers did not respond. Lawmakers advance bill requiring SD schools to teach Native American history, culture The bill from Sen. Tamara Grove, R-Lower Brule, passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously one week ago. On the Senate floor, Grove moved an amendment that tossed the requirement that the standards be taught in favor of a requirement that the state's Indian Education Advisory Council and heads of the education departments in the state's nine tribes be involved in the next rewrite of the understandings. 'This amendment addresses the concerns of the education department,' Grove said Tuesday. Education Secretary Joe Graves told the Education Committee last week that the state doesn't need additional mandates beyond math, science, social studies and English-language arts/reading. Grove said mandated deeper involvement by tribes and the advisory council would mean Native Americans would 'be at the table when the sausage is made.' Sen. John Carley, R-Piedmont, spoke against the amended bill. He called it 'a mandate of a mandate,' as portions of the understandings are already folded into the social studies standards created at the state level. The state's educators have more important things to worry about than Oceti Sakowin lessons, he argued. 'If we're going to remandate a mandate, I'd recommend we remandate math and reading,' Carley said. The Senate voted 28-7 to defeat the bill. Meanwhile, Gov. Larry Rhoden announced Tuesday that he signed related legislation into law that will require all certified teachers, rather than only new educators or those moving from out-of-state, to take a course in South Dakota Indian Studies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers advance bill requiring SD schools to teach Native American history, culture
State Sen. Tamara Grove, R-Lower Brule, speaks with lawmakers on the South Dakota House floor during the governor's budget address on Dec. 3, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) South Dakota public schools would be required to teach a specific set of Native American historical and cultural lessons if a bill unanimously endorsed by a legislative committee Tuesday in Pierre becomes law. The bill would mandate the teaching of the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings. The phrase 'Oceti Sakowin' refers to the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people. The understandings are a set of standards and lessons adopted seven years ago by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards with input from tribal leaders, educators and elders. Use of the understandings by public schools is optional. A survey conducted by the state Department of Education indicated use by 62% of teachers, but the survey was voluntary and hundreds of teachers did not respond. Republican state Sen. Tamara Grove, who lives on the Lower Brule Reservation, proposed the bill and asked legislators to follow the lead of Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Chairman J. Garret Renville. He has publicly called for a 'reset' of state-tribal relations since the departure of former Gov. Kristi Noem, who was barred by tribal leaders from entering tribal land in the state. 'What I'm asking you to do today,' Grove said, 'is to lean into the reset.' Joe Graves, the state secretary of education and a Noem appointee, testified against the bill. He said portions of the understandings are already incorporated into the state's social studies standards. He added that the state only mandates four curricular areas: math, science, social studies and English-language arts/reading. He said further mandates would 'tighten up the school days, leaving schools with much less instructional flexibility.' Members of the Senate Education Committee sided with Grove and other supporters, voting 7-0 to send the bill to the full Senate. The proposal is one of several education mandates that lawmakers have considered this legislative session. The state House rejected a bill this week that would have required posting and teaching the Ten Commandments in schools, and also rejected a bill that would have required schools to post the state motto, 'Under God the People Rule.'
