TEACHERS

GRAVES: Gov's education plan worth supporting

Tenure is and always has been a bad idea simply because for many people it is more difficult to stay motivated once you’ve been given a strong measure of job security.

By Joe Graves , January 24, 2012

Teachers, schools main topics at Mitchell cracker barrel

Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s proposal to alter how South Dakota teachers are evaluated and paid was the prime topic for discussion at the first legislative cracker barrel of the year Saturday.

By Tom Lawrence , January 22, 2012

OPINION: Governor has right idea, wrong plan on teacher merit pay

We respectfully disagree with your assertions and endorsement of the governor’s new proposal for teacher pay in the state of South Dakota. We submit to you and your readers the following as to why we do not support the governor’s plan on teacher compensation.

By David Steele snd Jennifer Larson , January 21, 2012

OUR VIEW: Daugaard to teachers: Go and earn your raises

Gov. Dennis Daugaard has it right. In essence, he is saying that exceptional teachers should get the pay they deserve, while poor and average teachers should be pushed harder to improve.

By Editorial board , January 18, 2012

On trip to Mitchell, Daugaard touts his proposal for teachers, students

Gov. Dennis Daugaard said Monday in Mitchell that the state must focus on teacher quality, student performance and better training opportunities for both.

By TOM LAWRENCE and ANNA JAUHOLA , January 17, 2012

LETTER: Retired teachers are a resource for state

A vastly under-utilized resource within our state is the generation of retired teachers. Their experience, background and wisdom is needed at this time.

By Kevin Lein , January 13, 2012

Educators split over governor’s anti-tenure, pro-bonus ideas

A pair of proposals from Gov. Dennis Daugaard is pitting educators against each other as they take sides over the issues of tenure and teacher bonuses.

By Ross Dolan , January 12, 2012

Gov. Daugaard may face resistance on teacher merit pay idea

Gov. Dennis Daugaard wants lawmakers to eliminate the tenure system for new teachers after July 1 this year. The Republican governor opened the 2012 legislative session Tuesday with a set of stick-and-carrot proposals that would reform and reward South Dakota’s ranks of public school teachers.

By Bob Mercer , January 11, 2012

15 SD teachers earn board certification

PIERRE (AP) — Fifteen South Dakota teachers received board certification this year, one of the highest credentials in the teaching profession.

December 12, 2011

More teachers get master's degrees

The number of advanced degrees held by Mitchell teachers has increased nearly 50 percent since 2004. For the 2004-2005 school year, 118 of the district’s 197 teachers had bachelor’s degrees, and 79 had earned master’s degrees or higher. By 2010-2011, those numbers flip-flopped, and 80 of the district’s 198 teachers had bachelor’s degrees while 118 had master’s degrees or better. The numbers follow a national trend, Mitchell Superintendent Joe Graves said.

By Ross Dolan , November 03, 2011

OUR VIEW: Another state award means more praise for educators

Patrick Moller’s recognition as South Dakota’s 2012 Teacher of the Year continues a hot streak for Mitchell teachers. Not only is it a streak of which Mitchell residents can be proud, but it’s one that is directly benefitting the students who pass through the doors of local schools each day.

By Editorial board , October 26, 2011

Mitchell School District’s teachers take pay decrease of $1,000

The Mitchell Board of Education gave rapid approval Monday to a one-year negotiated agreement that will, among other provisions, cut the salary of the district’s 200 teachers by $1,000 each.

By Ross Dolan , September 13, 2011

Teachers, Mitchell school district strike one-year deal

Mitchell Superintendent Joe Graves is expected to present a tentative salary and benefits package for the district’s teachers to the Mitchell Board of Education today.

By Ross Dolan , September 12, 2011

Winner teachers to teach students in Korea

English-as-a-second-language business expands and expects to hire 30 teachers who will connect with their students online.

By Anna Jauhola , September 10, 2011

Letters to the Editor

Please, buckle your kids’ seat belts To the Editor: Early in the morning last week, I was driving my personal vehicle dropping my son off at preschool. As I drove by an elementary school, I observed multiple kids roughly 5 to 10 years old without seat belts on. The kids I observed without seat belts on were very obvious. One of the kids was leaning in between the front seats of a passenger car, and another was riding in the front seat of a truck standing on the seat next to the driver. The drivers of both of these vehicles obviously knew their kids were not buckled up, and they obviously didn’t seem to think it was a big deal.

February 05, 2011