Teacher Pathway Day Gives Future Educators a Glimpse into Life at USD
A dynamic event designed to inspire and support the next generation of educators, Teacher Pathway Day is a partnership between USD and the Sioux Falls School District high schools to provide students with an opportunity to learn more about the School of Education’s opportunities and programs. The event is part of the larger Teacher Pathway program, which is designed to introduce high school students to the teaching profession and provide a path to a degree program.
The students, who are all participants in the Teacher Pathway program, spent the day on campus in Vermillion, exploring what it could look like to turn their interest in education into a career.
The day began with a story from someone who knows that journey firsthand.
School of Education alumnus Benjamin Kohls shared his path to becoming a social studies teacher in the Sioux Falls School District, including the experiences that helped shape his decision to pursue education. Among those experiences was his own participation in the Teacher Pathway program while a student at Roosevelt High School.
Now, working in the state’s largest school district and helping coach the Jefferson High School freshman football team, Kohls encouraged students to think about the moments, people and opportunities that can help lead them toward a career they love.
“It was a really cool experience to share my story with so many future educators,” said Kohls. “Going through this program gave me an inside look at the teaching profession and showed me how rewarding a career in education can be. The program, along with the incredible educators in the USD School of Education, helped prepare me to have a classroom of my own. I am truly thankful to USD and the Teacher Pathway program for all the opportunities, support and experiences they have provided along the way.”
Kohls’ story provided an inspiring start to the day designed to help students imagine where their own Teacher Pathway experience could take them.
From there, students broke into sessions that gave insight into the many possibilities within education. They explored different teaching areas, learned from USD faculty and students and participated in hands-on activities.
Participants also took part in a brief advising session, where students learned more about required coursework for their teaching degree of interest, helping connect students to the careers they’re considering and the steps they need to get there.
For one student interested in secondary education, that session stood out.
“The secondary education advising session showed me a lot about how classes work if I went into that field.”
Other breakout sessions helped students discover experiences they may not have previously associated with earning an education degree.
One student highlighted the traveling teacher session and the opportunity to learn about experiences beyond South Dakota.
“My favorite part of the day was the traveling teacher breakout session. It was very interesting to see the types of trips that the USD education program offers. I really enjoyed learning about the types of things they do on the trips and how different education systems are around the world.”
After lunch, students toured campus and continued to gain insight into what studying education at USD can look like.
“It’s exciting to welcome these students to campus and give them a chance to experience firsthand what it could be like to study education at USD,” said Melissa Griese, recruiter in the School of Education. “We want them to be able to picture themselves here, learning, growing and preparing to make a difference in the lives of future students. USD is a great place to become an educator. We hope they leave campus feeling excited about the possibilities ahead of them.”
You May Also Like
USD Voice Student Wins in District MET Competition
University of South Dakota voice student Cadie Logston has been named a winner in the Minnesota District of the prestigious Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, one of the nation's leading vocal competitions for aspiring opera singers.
Storytelling with Movement: Hannah Roccisano Brings Fight Directing and Stage Combat Expertise to USD
When the stage lights come up in a theatre, the actors step forward as the most visible stars in the show—yet countless others are working behind the scenes to make a production possible.
Shaping the Future of School Psychology: USD Students Prepare to Support South Dakota Public Schools
In 2023, the University of South Dakota’s School of Education School Psychology program received a $3 million dollar Mental Health Demonstration Grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help address South Dakota’s critical shortage of school psychologists.
