PICTURED ARE Woonsocket School teachers who attended the workshop: Kylie Pauly, Sarah Jensen, Karen Jackson and Judy Hinker.

Mitchell – Educators from nine school districts within southeastern South Dakota wasted no time enrolling in the three-day workshop called S.M.A.R.T. The workshop teaches participants how physical movement and activities stimulate a child’s brain and enhance classroom learning. The workshop was held May 30-June 1 at the Mitchell Middle School.
S.M.A.R.T. – Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training – is an innovative, school readiness program that inspires educators to teach with a developmental perspective. S.M.A.R.T. is currently used in approximately 300 pre-K, kindergarten and elementary classrooms throughout Minnesota, as well as 12 other states across the nation. The program was created by the Minnesota Learning Resource Center (MLRC), a nationally recognized teacher-training institute affiliated with a Minnesota-based non-profit organization called A Chance To Grow, which offers comprehensive brain-centered programs and services.
“Educators will walk away from the workshop with a new perspective on teaching,” says Cheryl Smythe, director of the MLRC. “They will understand S.M.A.R.T. is not what they teach but HOW they teach children.”
“Elementary teachers in Mitchell have been utilizing the activities from S.M.A.R.T. workshops for about a decade. Educators who have implemented these activities in their classroom say they see the long-term benefits both socially and academically for students,” says Sherri Becker, curriculum director for Mitchell School District and director of the PEP Grant. For the third year in a row, teachers filled all spots available for this workshop.
The workshops at Mitchell Middle School have been funded by the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant, a federally funded grant program designed to help schools and community-based organizations enhance physical education programs for K- 12 students.
According to MLRC data, classrooms that participate in S.M.A.R.T. have higher attention and participation levels, are more motivated to learn and show higher academic achievement. The underlying factor is specific brain stimulation produced by purposeful movements, which leads to the development of a child’s motor skills and fosters learning.
For more information about workshops, visit www.actg.org/workshop.

Pictured are, back row, mentors Jason Bruce and Lynn Klaas; front row, mentees Darin Schmiedt and Emily Hendriksen.

Teachers from the Woonsocket School district are taking part in the South Dakota Department of Education Statewide Mentoring program, where teachers entering the field are paired with an experienced teacher.  The program was established by the 2016 legislature to retain new teachers who enter into the field. Most teachers quit within the first five years of their career. These Woonsocket teachers are part of a two-year in-district program.
While attending the summer academy, held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, the teachers were fortunate enough to be addressed by Alex Kajitani, the 2009 California teacher of the year, S.D. Secretary of Education, Dr. Melody Schopp, and S.D. Governor, Dennis Daugaard.
The new Sanborn Central/Woonsocket band teacher, Jacque Bratcher, and retired music instructor, Sandy Selland, will also participate in the mentor program this fall.