The annual SDCTE spring conference was held in Mitchell March 22-23 with a record number of people attending. A variety of sessions was offered each day and overall comments about the conference were very favorable.
The Friday night banquet with the presentation of
awards was a very popular event. Award winners included Young Writers Award, Ann Fishback from
Brookings and Stephanie Smith from Sioux Falls; South Dakota Author of the Year, Kathleen
Norris; and South Dakota Teacher of the Year, Donna Fisher from Mitchell. Fishback and Fisher were both
in attendance and spoke to the group. In addition, Diane Padernos from Mitchell read Fishback's
award-winning writing.
The Executive Council has already begun making
plans for next year's conference. Listening to suggestions from the conference participants, the
Council decided to set the first weekend after the State AA Boys Basketball Tournament as the
permanent date for the conference. However, next year this would be Easter weekend.
Consequently, the Council has set the conference dates for April 4-5. Karen Harrington tried to secure the Cedars
Resort in Chamberlain as the host site, but they were already booked. Jim Swanson then volunteered
Dakota State University in Madison.
Also, please start thinking about possible presenters
for the conference (and don't overlook your own expertise)! Give your ideas to any
Executive Council member (Kandy Punt, Karen Harrington, Sue Morrell, Sharon
Olbertson, Jim Swanson, or Dodie Bemis) or bring them to the SDEA/NEA Convention in Sioux Falls.
Remember to mark April 4-5, 1997 at Dakota State University on your calendars today!