University of South Dakota School of Education

05/12/2026

Secondary Education major Samuel Markley isn’t just celebrating graduation—he’s also been named South Dakota’s Assistant Debate Coach of the Year 👏

Voted on by the community, this award honors a coach who truly goes above and beyond. During his residency year, Sam stepped in as a long-term substitute and helped lead Washington High School’s debate team—building something special along the way.

Those who nominated him shared:
“Samuel Markley has helped cultivate something special at Washington. He has built an inclusive, empowering environment that has turned the school into a powerhouse in Lincoln Douglas Debate.

Beyond competitive success, Sam has become a coach other programs seek out for guidance and collaboration… He cares deeply about students and helps them achieve consistent excellence, all while modeling strong character and work ethic.”

We couldn’t be more proud. Congratulations, Sam—this is just the beginning of an incredible career! Go yotes!

05/08/2026

Finals are wrapping up, and the halls have grown quiet once again.

Tomorrow, we celebrate our School of Education teacher education graduates as they prepare to step into their own classrooms this fall. Whether they completed their journey in Vermillion, Sioux Falls, or as part of our very first ELED Master’s + Certification program, we couldn’t be more proud.

From elementary to art, music, and secondary education, these future teachers are the very best. They’ve worked hard, grown in meaningful ways, and are ready to lead and inspire the next generation.

We can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make. Go Yotes! 🐾

05/01/2026

Big news for the USD's School of Education! 🎉

USD’s graduate education programs have once again earned national recognition, ranking among the best in the region in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools. USD placed #5 across a five-state region and remains the only ranked program in South Dakota!

This achievement reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students who are preparing the next generation of leaders in education.👏

Join us in celebrating by sharing this incredible accomplishment with your friends and families! Go Yotes! ❤️🐾

The University of South Dakota’s School of Education has received national recognition for its graduate programs, with U.S. News & World Report including USD among the 2026 Best Education Schools.

04/29/2026

Big congratulations to SOE student, Rachael Knecht!🎉👏

Knecht was recognized as a recipient of USD's 2026 Undergraduate Research Awards presented by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to honor outstanding undergraduate research. Her project, Parental Impacts on Body Dissatisfaction, was completed under the mentorship of Dr. Emma Mack, Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Psychology in Education.

We are proud to see the impactful, interdisciplinary work coming out of the School of Education!❤️🐾

The University of South Dakota is proud to announce that 12 students have received the 2026 Undergraduate Research Awards for excellence in creative scholarship and research.

04/27/2026

Students: are you interested in traveling to Finland in May 2027 for a Faculty Led Program? Join Jacqueline Wilber, Ed.D. for an informational session. Bonus: Meet the Finnish high school exchange students and their high school teachers for a Q&A about Oulu, Finland.

🇫🇮 Finland FLP Informational Session + Meet & Greet
🕑 2:00-2:30pm CST | Friday May 1
🐾 Delzell Education Building, Room 123

Not able to join? No problem! Fill out the interest intake form, and we'll keep you updated: https://forms.gle/doiMwaXJLzUZ453e9

04/27/2026

Dr. Adam Hardy and Dr. Tracie Ritz attended the South Dakota Counseling association state conference in Rapid City along with some current and former students. It was a fun few days of learning, networking, and professional development.

04/27/2026

School of Education students were honored at the Coyote Excellence Awards for their important contributions to campus.
Justin Tallman (far left), ELED major, won a Senior Award and Taylor Byerley, (5th from left), KSM major won the Native Student Services Leadership Award & the SDBOR Award for Community Service for her work within AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society).
Photo credit: Megan Red Shirt-Shaw
Congratulations to all and GO Yotes!

04/22/2026

We’re proud to celebrate our doctoral student, Sam Goldsmith, who presented earlier this week at the TIE Conference in Sioux Falls!

Sharing her knowledge and passion with fellow educators, Sam continues to make a meaningful impact in the field. We’re so grateful for the way she represents our School of Education and inspires others through her work.

Way to go, Sam!

04/20/2026

So many magical moments at IdeaFest last week!

From exploring how students can take a closer look at the food they eat through the Finnish model of learning, to analyzing chemistry lessons and tackling challenging topics in history—our School of Education presenters truly inspired. We even gained global perspectives, learning how the education system in Germany compares to the U.S.

And one of the most special moments? A full-circle reunion—a doctoral student presenting alongside his former high school student, now sharing her own innovative ideas for teaching. 💫

What a small, beautiful world full of powerful ideas and passionate educators. We are so proud of all of our presenters! 👏📚

04/17/2026

Big things happening for our future educators AND student-athletes! 🏆🐾

At the Sioux City Relays 2026, South Dakota Track & Field/Cross Country turned in impressive performances across multiple events. Brandon Vander Sluis led the way in both shot put and discus!

In shot put he placed:
-1st with a 60-6 ¾ outdoor best
-1st in the Summit League
-26th in the NCAA
-4th in USD’s top 10

In discus he placed:
-3rd with a best of 170-10
-10th in USD’s top 10

We’re especially proud to see SOE's students shining on the track:
🏃‍♀️ Brandy Pulse (ELED)
🏃‍♀️ Maddie Olson (ELED)
🏃‍♂️ Andrew Atwood (SEED PE)
🏃‍♂️ Brandon Vander Sluis (SEED PE)

From the classroom to the track, our students continue to represent the Coyote spirit with excellence, dedication, and pride! 💪📚

🔗 Read more at the link below:

South Dakota track and field made its return to Elwood Olsen Stadium for the Sioux City Relays Friday afternoon, taking home seven event titles.