Fall Conference

Thanks to everyone that came to Sioux Falls for the SDEA student fall conference! I think that everyone that was there would agree that it was certainly worth their time thanks to the wonderful speakers. Sue Nipe gave us a taste of our legal duties as we look ahead to our years of teaching. Former teacher of the year Jeff Lukens enlightened, inspired, and even made us laugh as our keynote. Sioux Falls Education Association's president Ann Tornberg taught us a lot about the association including the new pay scale that Sioux Falls is observing. If you do not know about the new pay scale I encourage you to check it out because I truly believe that you will want to encourage your home districts to consider it. We are extremely grateful to our speakers for taking time out of their Saturday to share with us!

While I am stoked about our attendance at the fall conference with 25 students, I am at the same time slightly frustrated. As a state we have around 400 student members. I don't know if we are not delivering the information correctly, or if the geography of our state is what is preventing a higher attendance. Our fall conference was wonderful, and I KNOW that the spring conference will match the standard if not raise the bar, SO if you have any ideas of increasing attendance I would L-O-V-E to hear them.

We are excited to announce that Dakota State has offered to host the Spring 2008 conference, and we may be having it at Prairie Village in Madison...something to think about.

Later Tater
Michael