Congratulations, you have made it through another very challenging year. Just when we thought this school year might be a little easier, Mother Nature decided to throw us some curve balls: endless snowstorms and blizzards. Closures and cancellations meant constantly changing lesson plans and after-school activities. School calendars have been rearranged and extended. Many of you were disappointed that we had to move our SDEA RA to Zoom. It was a long winter, and I for one am happy to see the first traces of spring with warmer weather and ice-free roads.
Winters like this remind me why I am so proud to be the President of this Association. It takes perseverance to make it through a tough winter and it’s that perseverance that makes our educators so good at what they do. Schools are facing so many challenges. Educator shortage, behavioral issues, mental health issues, and the rancorous politics dividing our communities are just some of the reasons that many of you think about leaving. You wonder is it worth it. However, most of you look at your students and say YES! You then commit to coming back in the fall.
As the school year ends, I want to leave you with a message of hope. I do believe if educators stick together, we can improve our schools. Together we did make progress. Through Legislative Action, we secured a seven percent increase in education funding. Legislators are finally acknowledging the educator shortage is real and exploring ways to address the mental health crisis facing students and educators alike. They went on record supporting the idea that schools need alternative pathways for students who will not find success in the traditional classroom. While this progress may not seem like much, we are indeed moving forward.
There is still much work to do, and we can’t do it without you. So, as we begin our summer ‘break’, I need you to take some time for you. Get recharged and then be ready to come back with the determination that has gotten you this far. How, you ask? First, you can sign up to attend SDEA’s Summer Leadership Academy, July 17-18 in Sioux Falls. There is more information in the next pages of this Educators Advocate.
We also need more educators to join us in this important work, so over the summer we will be working with your local leaders to organize SDEA’s fall membership campaign. We want to have as many one-on-one conversations as possible with new staff and those educators who still haven’t joined. There is strength in numbers, and the more who join SDEA the more power we will have. Please talk with your local leaders to see how you might be able to help.
Finally, I just want to end with a simple thank you. I so appreciate the support you give me, your fellow educators, and your students. I am confident that there are better days ahead because I know you have the determination to persevere. Enjoy your summer. You deserve it!
