The debate over the Common Core education standards in Pierre is intensifying. Lawmakers in the House Wednesday considered a resolution on the Common Core for more than an hour. Later that afternoon, teachers from across South Dakota offered their experiences with the education benchmarks and took questions from lawmakers.
The above audio begins during a response to the initial panel question regarding whether math in schools today is rooted in the traditional basics. Educators on the panel are listed below in the order they speak during the full-length clip.
Donna DeKraai, teacher in Brookings School District; 2013 Regional Teacher of the Year; 23 years teaching experience; former president of SDEA; member of SD Commission on Teaching and Learning
Moderator Dr. Jack Warner, president of SD Board of Regents
Linda Mallory, math teacher at Spearfish Middle School; member of the Commission on Teaching and Learning
Jeremy Hurd, principal at Hermosa Elementary School; 11 years experience in education; member of the Commission on Teaching and Learning
LuAnn Lindskov, high school math and science teacher; 2014 SD Teacher of the Year; 29 years experience teaching in South Dakota; Nationally Board Certified; attended all Common Core math trainings from SD Dept. of Ed in last three years; member of National Math and Science Initiative Teacher Training Corps
Robin Curtis, 6th grade math and science teacher in the Winner School District; previous experience teaching K-8 at Hamill; member of SD Commission for Teaching and Learning; NEA's National Common Core Committee service
Tammy Jo Schlechter, 6th-8th grade math/reading/social studies teacher at Hermosa School; 18 years teaching experience; Region 7 Teacher of the Year; trainer in the implementation of the Common Core math standards in SD
Shana Davis, alternative program director and teacher at Riggs High School in Pierre; 12 years teaching experience; Iraq War Veteran and former Army reservist ;recipient of Milken Family Foundation Educator of Excellence Award