Program Description: 

The Rising Star Educator Program (RSEP) is focused on developing a model program that will increase the number of educators who can effectively teach STEM in schools on South Dakota American Indian reservations.  In a cohort model, junior and senior education students at Sinte Gleska University who agree to participate will receive the multi-faceted support necessary to become effective STEM educators.  STEM education experts, mentors, community education supports and STEM professionals will work together to provide these students with rich STEM content knowledge and pedagogy, field experiences working with STEM professionals, opportunity to teach in NASA Summer of Innovation summer camps and access to STEM resources.  Each aspect of this program will be embedded with culturally relevant knowledge and learning experiences.

Participating Organizations:

South Dakota Discovery Center, SD Space Grant Consortium, Augustana College, Oglala Lakota College, Sinte Gleska University, Aberdeen Catholic School System, American Horse School, Bennett County School District, Eagle Butte School District, Rapid School District , St. Francis Indian School, Takini School District, Todd County School District, Journey Museum, Sanford Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory at Homestake, Johnson Space Center, Center for American Indian Research and Studies

Duties as the Program Coordinator:

• Writing and obtaining Memorandums of Understandings.
• Developing and facilitating a mentoring/coaching training program.
• Developing and implementing a quality evaluation of program.
• Responsible for all administrative responsibilities of grant, including budget and reports.
• Establishing partnerships with K-12 schools and STEM oriented entities to provide STEM internship options for participating students.