STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) exists for the purpose of leading and consolidating the efforts of individuals and groups working to achieve healthy development and constructive education for all young children.

Phi Delta Kappa
Phi Delta Kappa International is the premier professional association for educators. For more than 100 years, it has focused its work on the tenets of service, research, and leadership. Specifically, PDK is one of the largest education associations in the world and has thousands of members dedicated to improving education, including teachers, principals, superintendents, and higher education faculty and administrators

Future Teacher Association

Future Teachers Association, FTA, is a student organization and resource for Black Hills State University prospective education majors and preservice teachers. The association aims to support future educators through professional development, socials, and classroom experiences. We inspire students and promote lifelong learning in classes, community experiences, and much more. Learn more about FTA.

SDEA
Teacher quality, community outreach, and political action are the underlying areas of focus that direct student program activities. The SDEA student programs addresses the needs of today's diverse student population in order to facilitate student achievement by preparing professional educators with ideals of professional ethics and standards.

Talking Hands (Dr. Jessica Zanton)
BHSU Talking Hands strives to educate others about sign language (American Sign Language, Signing Exact English, along with other forms of sign language). Its purpose is to help students, faculty, staff, and community members learn sign language while developing lasting relationships. BHSU Talking Hands aims to have both community and university involvement by volunteering and participating in university activities such as homecoming, a dodgeball tournament, and the Lip Synch Battle for student organizations. In the community, members have participated in activities such as teaching sign language to children at area Boys and Girls Clubs as well as performing for community groups to introduce them to the power of sign language.

TeamMates
TeamMates is a mentorship program that links K-12 students in our community with BHSU education majors for one hour each week. One of the first clinical components of Black Hills State University's teacher preparation program is focused on developing caring skills. Research shows that teachers who care, and can demonstrate their caring, have a greater capacity to increase student achievement. Toward that end, sophomore-level students are given the opportunity to participate in TeamMates. Learn more about TeamMates.