06 Broadcaster Press February 17, 2015 www.broadcasteronline.com Classroom Education Inspires Strong Opinions By Sarah Wetzel For the Plain Talk Editor’s Note: This is the second of a three-part look at Education in Vermillion and the Differences in What Its Kids are Learning. Education is an evercontroversial topic especially as it deals with our children which is something most parents hold dearer than anything. Depending on where you stand, the modern public education system has the potential to be a blessing or the bane of your existence. Either way, something all can agree on is that education in general has changed over the years. “Basic skills have and always will be important but teachers are doing more in today’s classroom to engage students and give them opportunities for a greater level of participation in their learning,” said Dr. Mark Froke, Superintendent of the Vermillion School District. “I remember the straight rows of desks in my own grade school classrooms as compared to the functional and flexible learning environments that we see today.” “The obvious difference is technology,” said Aaron Fader who teaches 8th grade history at Vermillion Middle School. “There is a lot of technology that both teachers and students have available today but didn't years ago. This has helped teachers create interesting ways to teach material and for students to learn.” Froke has also noticed the increase in technology. “Computers weren’t part of my education as a youngster,” he shared. “Now, we have a technology rich environment with computer labs, iPads, and Smart Boards which enrich a child’s education and increase their level of personal involvement. There is no question that teachers still need to be in charge of their classrooms but they strive to facilitate learning rather than always be the person who delivers knowledge to the students.” The students themselves see the benefits of technology in the classroom. “Recently we got iPads,” said Katie Kost, a Junior at Vermillion High School. “It seems the first couple of weeks we got them we were really distracted playing with them but after awhile it becomes a better tool of learning.” Not all changes have been improvements, at least from Fader’s point of view. “Budget cuts and inadequate funding levels have caused schools to drop learning opportunities (classes) once provided to students,” he said. “Take Vermillion Middle School, for example. I have been teaching here since 1998 and I've seen a foreign language, 8th grade reading, accelerated learning, middle school team-teaching, a librarian and guidance counselor cut. Not to mention the loss of a middle school shop class the year or so before I started teaching here. This is a serious loss of student opportunities.” So the question is, is modern classroom education where it should be? Fader does not think so. “For starters, I believe that we have lost the expectation that people have a responsibility to become educated members of society,” he said. “Students are allowed to fail and are socially promoted to the next grade. People feel a child's self esteem will be damaged if they are held back regardless of whether the student meets grade expectations. Teachers have been told that the courts have gutted school authority in regard to retention or that school can't afford costly court proceeding if a parent challenges the decision to hold a student back.” According to Fader, the result of these actions throughout elementary school result in middleschool students who have learned they don’t have to pass their classes. “This creates a difficult atmosphere where teachers are trying to educate students that know there are little to know consequences for failing to acquire the skills or knowledge we are attempting to impart to them,” he said. Regardless of challenges, Froke said teachers are doing ? CLASSROOM, Page 10 BUSINESS POSITION AVAILABLE AVA AILABLE Ve Vermill Vermillion School District has the following opening: e District ha s ct as following SEEKING A CAREER CHANGE AND A BETTER WAGE? GE Looking to star t a new and exciting career with a growing Company? Come join us! Full-Time Positions for : THIRD (WEEKEND DAYS) SHIFT Y Fri, Sat, and Sun, 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. $3.50 Shift Differential Wo k 36 hours; considered Full-Time, or eligible for all benefits. MACHINE OPERAT PERATORS A Fabrication of steel par ts using various machines a including a press brake, saw, drill press, laser, or plasma torch. Experience with any of these machines and blueprint reading and measuring skills preferred. CNC MACHINISTS Associate degree and CNC experience preferred, but willing to train the right manual machinist for CNC equipment. EQUIPMENT/YAR OPERAT YARD ATOR Operate forklift, payloader, and truck for unloading and distributing steel and materials, and load finished equipment onto trucks. Associates will be rewarded with an attractive & competitive wage, medical/dental/vision/life/disability benefits after 30 days, paid vacation after 6 months, and 10 paid holidays/year. Apply at: Kolberg-Pioneer, Inc. 700 W. 21st St., Ya ankton, SD 57078 an personnel@kolbergpioneer.com www.kpijci.com EEO The Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan is currently accepting applications for a CIRCULATION DISTRICT MANAGER This is a full-time position, offering a full benefit package, including: •Holiday Pay • Paid Time Off •Low Cost Health Care Package Recruitment, training and supervising of independent newspaper carriers, handling customer concerns and promoting total newspaper commitment to the community. Flexible hours and some weekends required. Must be detail oriented with willingness to work hard. To apply send resume to: Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan Attn: Mike Hrycko Circulation Director 319 Walnut Yankton, SD 57078 or email: mike.hrycko@yankton.net PRESS& DAKOT Equal Opport unity E mploy er Business Office Accounts Payable Of Office Ac ff ccounts Payable aya le ab Accounting experience preferred Accounting experience preferred ccounting ex xper preferred Salar y negotiable Salary negotiable r gotiab e go School district’s benefit package included distr ct’s benefit package district s s ct’ age Applicat Application deadline: Open until filled ation deadline e: filled For informat on contact For information contact: informatio atio act: Sheila Beermann, Business Manager Beermann B Beermann mann, 677- 000 677-70 677-7000 For required district a For required district application contact: equired district application contact s ct t t ct: Cindy Knudsen Knudsen Administrative Office Administrative Office dministrati Of ce t at ff 17 Prospect Street Prospec Street ct Ve Vermillion SD 57069 SD 677-70 677-7000 - 000 E.O.E. .E. ' 3 HDGOLQHV Classified Ads: Friday at Noon Display Ads: Friday at 11AM AN ...is looking for qualified individuals to join their team. CNA GREAT PAY, BENEFITS & ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITY. Day and Evenings Full-time/Part-time Med Aide Part-time INDUSTRY LEADER WITH IMMEDIATE OPENINGS STARTING at Join a WINNING TEAM! Customer Care Representatives Needed Our growth has created openings with our inbound Customer Care teams in Yankton, SD and Bloom?eld, NE for high energy, self motivated individuals. If you are passionate about helping customers and looking for a new career opportunity, give us a call or go online to apply today. We offer: • Vacation • Holiday Pay • Monthly incentive opportunities • 401K • Health, life, dental and vision insurance • Long term/short term disability insurance APPLY ONLINE TODAY @www.?rstnational.com Equal Opportunity Employer $14.25 Including Incentives INCENTIVES & BENEFITS Cimpl’s LLC is looking for people to work in our Maintenance Department. Candidates with strong mechanical knowledge are encouraged to apply. We offer an excellent package of benefits which includes paid vacations, paid holidays, 401K, and Stay for Pay Bonus. Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance is also offered. Apply in person at 1000 Cattle Drive, Yankton, SD. Cimpl’s LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Cimpl Meats Human Resources Housekeeping Full-time Interested candidates please go online to avera.org and fill out an application or call 605-267-2081 for more information $500 sign on bonus 1000 Cattle Drive an equal opportunity employer www.AmericanFoodsGroup.com Yankton, SD 57078 Sunset Manor Avera is now accepting applications for the following positions to join our excellent team of caring professionals: Certified Nursing Assistant Part time and full time positions available. Activity Assistant Full time position available. RN/LPN Part time charge nurse position available. For application materials contact the Personnel Office at Sunset Manor Irene, S.D. at (605) 263-3318 or apply online at www.avera.org/careers