Northern State University School of Education

Teacher Education majors volunteered at the Christmas Celebration at the Civic Arena on December 11th 🎄

Merry Christmas to our SOE family!
Just a friendly reminder that there are still tags available on the SOE Angel Tree 🌲 Gifts need to be returned by December 13th 🎁

SOE Education Clubs celebrated the end of the semester with a Christmas Party! Prizes were given for best dressed, best Christmas Tree creations, and largest teacher materials gathering. There were drawings for additional prizes as well.

Ho Ho Hope you can join us!!! 🎄

Get ready to ‘sleigh’ this holiday season! Join us for our Christmas Party in your tackiest & most festive sweater on December 5th!🎄

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) hosted a World Kindness event in the Student Center on November 13th. Participants were encouraged to spread kindness through their words and actions!

The SOE Student Organization, Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), hosted a guest speaker on American Sign Language on November 7th. Maleah Eschenbaum taught the students some basic sign language during a very informative and entertaining presentation!

The Millicent Atkins School of Education would like to honour the late Millicent Atkins for receiving the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus & Philanthropist Award. During the NSU Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumni Banquet, Dr. Anna Schwan, Interim Dean of the School of Education, accepted the award in her memory.

Millicent Atkins graduated from Northern State College in 1940 with a teaching degree. Following graduation, Atkins taught school for almost a decade, before returning to farming near Columbia, where she spent most of her years. Atkins passed away on July 25, 2012. At the time of her passing, she generously donated a $15 million estate gift to Northern State University to benefit the NSU School of Education. Her generous support of others, particularly NSU’S Education program, represents the Servant Leader life she lived.

Happy World Teacher’s Day! Thank you for making a difference in our students’ lives and communities. At NSU, we’re proud to continue our long legacy of preparing teachers!!

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🏈🐺 Get Ready to Tailgate in Style 🐺🏈

The Gypsy Days Game is almost here & the SOE is gearing up for another fun filled tailgate event!! Join us for some music, games, & mouthwatering food before cheering on our Wolves!!!

Don’t miss out - tag your friends & let’s make it a homecoming to remember!

The SOE Teacher Education Student Clubs are getting organized for the year! Several Students participated in a joint meeting of CEC, SDEA, and AEYC on Septembers 21st!

Don’t forget to sign up for the Millicent Atkins School of Education Learning Expo with Keynote Speaker Alyssa Cassels!

Come see us at our Tailgate spot this Saturday at 2pm before your Northern Wolves kickoff their first home game vs Minnesota Duluth!

Our last NSU Alumni Spotlight comes from Molly Moran!

Molly received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Northern in 1994. She double majored in elementary education and special education.

"The time that I spent at Northern helped me develop my foundational teaching skills and form my educational philosophy. I was fortunate to have many knowledgeable instructors from the School of Education who shared their wisdom, enthusiasm, and practical teaching experience with me. At NSU, I learned how to craft an effective lesson and gained valuable classroom management strategies. In my first year of teaching, I was able to apply much of what I had learned through my college coursework into my own classroom setting. Although over the years I have evolved as an educator, the groundwork that was laid at Northern still remains a central part of my teaching. In addition to what I learned through my academic classes, my involvement with campus organizations such as the Newman Center, Student Ambassadors, and the Reading Council allowed me to gain leadership expertise, learn organizational procedures, become a more effective communicator, and strengthen my interpersonal skills. Because these areas are all pertinent to the teaching profession, I am grateful for the experiences that I was granted at Northern."

"I enjoy teaching because I find working with elementary aged youth to be deeply rewarding. I love introducing my students to unfamiliar concepts and watching them make discoveries about the world around them. One of the best parts of my job is the “ah-ha” moment when a learner makes a new connection. I strive to develop a special rapport with my students, and I enjoy watching the growth that occurs throughout the school year. It is especially gratifying when a previous student tells me that I made a positive impact on his or her life."

Molly is currently working as the 5th grade reading teacher at Camelot Intermediate School in Brookings, SD.

Our last Student Teacher Spotlight for Everything Must Go Week comes from Kennedy Sohler!

Kennedy has been placed in Mrs. Lee's third grade classroom at OM Tiffany Elementary School.

"The biggest surprise in student teaching is the diversity of the students academic achievements. It has been a challenge to make sure all students are understanding what is being taught while not holding up those that are excelling. I think that this experience has shaped me into an educator by helping me feel more prepared for my own classroom. This semester has been nothing but amazing! The relationships that I have gotten to build and all the skills that my co-operating teacher has taught me are things I will never forget."

Our next Alumni Spotlight comes from Lucas Trooien!

Lucas graduated from NSU in December 2022 with a BS.Ed. in Mathematics Education with an endorsement in coaching.

"NSU has an excellent teacher education program, the professors and instructors work with you to tailor your education experience to your area of specialty. Teaching is my passion, I became a teacher to be a champion for all students with the understanding that some people just need a little more care and support in order to succeed."

Lucas is currently teaching 7th through 12th grade Math at the Deubrook Area School District in White, South Dakota as well as coaching junior high boys basketball and track.

"It is an understatement to say that this experience and this job has been the joy of my life."

Our next Student Teacher Spotlight comes from Taren Tschetter!

Taren has been placed in all science classes for grades 6-12, including Anatomy & Physiology, Conceptual Physics, Earth Science, Physical Science, Biology, and Exploratory Careers. in Roscoe, SD at Edmunds Central School.

"The biggest surprise student teaching has been the rapport the students and I have built. I care so much for my students and we have so much fun in the classroom doing hands-on activities, having discussions that require deep critical-thinking, performing eye-opening labs, executing creative projects, and pushing each other to be our best selves. This experience has shaped me as an educator by solidifying my passion for learning, teaching, and helping kids. I don't feel like I am simply teaching science, I feel like I am educating humans. I am making a lasting impact on students for the better, and get to encourage them every day, even when they don't feel confident in themselves."