Stanna Olinger, special education teacher at Wessington Spring Elementary School, spoke at a recent school board meeting in favor of greater inclusivity in schools after debate arose about what teachers can display in classrooms to welcome students of all backgrounds. “Human acceptance is what brings me here today,” Olinger said. Photo: Courtesy of True Dakotan newspaper.
Lead-Deadwood Elementary School counselor Amanda Bender holds up a “Safe Space” sign during a recent school board meeting. The sign led to a proposed policy in the Lead-Deadwood schools that would regulate how teachers can decorate or adorn their classrooms. Photo: Courtesy Jaci Conrad Pearson, Black Hills Pioneer.
Jason Connelly is exactly the kind of young educator the South Dakota public school system would love to add to its depleted teacher workforce.
Connelly grew up in Sioux Falls and attended Catholic schools before pursuing a history and teaching degree at Augustana University, which he obtained this year.
Connelly did his student teaching at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Fal...
