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Educator's Edge
August 2026
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The Educator's Edge is a collaborative initiative led by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI), in partnership with several education organizations across the state. Disseminated monthly, we aim to keep educators informed, inspired, and connected.
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Welcome to a New School Year!
State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier has a quick Back‑to‑School message celebrating the work, dedication, and the teamwork that makes our schools strong. Please take a moment to watch his message as we kick off a new school year together!
To view the here: Back to School Welcome from Superintendent Bachmeier.
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Teaching License Reminder From ESPB
The Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) would like to remind teachers in order to maintain employment and legal authorization to teach, you must keep your teaching license current. Lapsed licenses can disrupt classrooms and violate state law. Please call ESPB with any questions relating to your license (701) 328-9646. Have a great school year!
Words of Wisdom on Starting the New School Year
As a new school year begins, several members of the North Dakota State Teacher of the Year (STOY) shared reflections to inspire and encourage educators across the state. The following are their words of wisdom:
Frannie Tunseth, 2026 State Teacher of the Year, May-Port CG, Mayville:
To every educator reading this: Take a deep breath and remind yourself of the profound impact you have every single day.
“I heard a quote recently that has stayed with me, and it feels so fitting for the incredible work you do: ‘Why be a star when you could be a constellation?’”
In education, it is easy to feel like you have to be the solitary star, shining as bright as you can, holding up the whole night sky by sheer willpower, carrying the weight of every student, lesson plan and difficult day entirely on your own shoulders. But stars, as bright as they are, burn out when they try to light up the dark all by themselves.
The real magic of teaching happens when we look around and realize we are part of a constellation.
On the days when your lesson hits every mark and you see the spark in a student’s eyes, you are lighting up your corner of the sky. But on the tough days, when you are exhausted, when a lesson falls flat or when the weight of caring for your students feels overwhelming, you don’t have to shine alone. You are surrounded by a network of educators, support staff and colleagues who are burning bright right alongside you, ready to help carry the light when your own feels dim.
What you do is impossibly hard, but it is also endlessly vital. You are shaping the future, one quiet connection at a time. So when tomorrow gets heavy, remember that you aren’t in this alone. Lean on your constellation. Share the warmth, pass the light and let yourself be supported by the incredible team walking this path with you.
Thank you for being part of the sky that guides our kids every single day. Keep shining, together.
Kayla Tatro, 2025 State Teacher of the Year Finalist, Carson School, Carson:
“Every year, I fill one of my bulletin boards with photos of each class I’ve taught throughout the years. The photos bring back such great memories and serve as an important reminder on tough days of all the wonderful students and experiences I’ve had during my career. As you prepare your classroom, don’t forget to display a few things that bring you joy!”
Sheila Peterson, 2025 State Teacher of the Year, Walker Middle School, Bismarck:
“This poem was given to me at my very first professional development day 25 years ago, and I have looked at it every year since. In education, there are many great days, and there are hard ones too. This poem reminds me, despite challenges, do the great work anyway.”
Do It Anyway – Paradoxical Commandments
People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
— Kent M. Keith
Mary Eldredge Sandbo, 2010 State Teacher of the Year, DLBHS, Des Lacs:
“I have had countless examples and mentors who have taught me that teaching is a group effort and that even when it is hard, there is also joy that often appears in ways so quiet and small that, unless we keep our eyes open, we can miss them. These are some nuggets that have been shared with me in word and in deed:
Look for the positive.
Listen to the believers.
Talk about what is possible.
Ask and offer help.
Have fun.
And, in case you have days when you wonder, the answer is almost always: ‘Yes. It is worth it.’”
 News from the North Dakota State Literacy Team
North Dakota is making significant strides in improving literacy instruction across the state. One group leading this effort is the North Dakota State Literacy Team, a collaborative group of 20 members representing state agencies and local school districts, selected through a competitive application process.
The team was established to develop the North Dakota State Literacy Plan, which is essential for maintaining eligibility for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) federal grant program. North Dakota has administered this grant since 2017 through three awards. The most recent State Literacy Plan, published for 2024-25, is currently being updated, with the new version expected to be released in October 2026. The document will be supported by modules in the ND Educational Hub to help schools write local plans outlining their literacy work.
The mission of the State Literacy Team is to enhance communication and collaboration between NDDPI, the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (NDDHHS), educational institutions and community members to promote literacy initiatives. The team aims to support local literacy efforts, strengthen capacity across North Dakota and improve student outcomes.
In addition to maintaining the state literacy plan, team members serve as local advocates for literacy, listening for emerging community stories and sharing resources through school and community channels. The team is in the early stages of developing a statewide literacy awareness project, set to culminate next March during Reading Month. Watch Educators Edge for updates and literacy news from the team.
For more information, contact Brenda Ehrmantraut.
LaunchMyLifeND.com
Did you know LaunchMyLifeND.com is a new resource designed for people with disabilities and the professionals who support them? The site provides clear, accessible information for individuals with disabilities as they plan for secondary transition.
This month, we are highlighting resources on self‑advocacy and self‑determination, both essential components of living a fulfilling life. Visit the site to explore videos, tools, and guidance on topics such as self‑advocacy, supported decision-making, and more. Help elevate the voices of people with disabilities by sharing this resource with others!
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New Health Content Standards
NDDPI has released the revised 2026 Health Content Standards. The standards offer a developmentally appropriate K–12 framework and include clear summaries and statute‑aligned requirements to help educators quickly identify mandated content.
The Resources section on the Health Content Standards webpage includes updated guidance documents addressing NDCC 15.1‑21‑28, which requires districts to use high‑definition video and computer‑generated animation depicting conception, prenatal development and weekly fetal growth. NDDPI has identified several videos that meet the statute, including WOW! Meet Baby Olivia, Conception to Birth – Visualized, Imperial College’s Human Embryo Development, and the 3D Animated Pregnancy Guide (trimester series).
These requirements are integrated into the middle and high school standards (MS.HC.6 and HS.HC.5) and referenced in Appendix A.
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New Social Studies Resources Available to Support K–5 Instruction
NDDPI is excited to share a new set of online lesson plans designed to help K–5 students explore American history in meaningful and age‑appropriate ways. NDDPI has partnered with the American Cornerstone Institute to make the Little Patriots curriculum available to all North Dakota public schools at no cost.
These resources include structured courses, lesson guides, short animated videos, and educator support materials that help students build foundational knowledge about our nation’s history and civic heritage. You’ll also find a Celebrate Freedom Week mini‑unit to support your instruction in September.
A link to the full Little Patriots resource collection will be posted in the Resources section of the Social Studies Standards webpage. We hope these materials offer useful, flexible options for enriching your social studies instruction throughout the year.
For questions, contact Davonne Eldredge.
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Professional Development & Training Opportunities |
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Pathways to Structured Literacy: Fall Seats Now Open
AIM Institute’s free online Pathways to Structured Literacy course is available to North Dakota educators seeking to strengthen reading instruction and intervention. Structured literacy, recognized by the International Dyslexia Association, supports students with literacy challenges, including those showing characteristics of dyslexia.
Each cohort runs about four months and includes flexible, asynchronous coursework and four community‑of‑practice sessions. To review the syllabus and submit an interest form, visit the North Dakota AIM Institute webpage. The fall session opens Sept. 4 and a January 2027 cohort is also available.
Visit the ND Dyslexia webpage for information on state dyslexia law and opportunities. For questions, contact Brenda Ehrmantraut.
 A New School Year Starts With Connection
A new school year brings new routines and opportunities, but it can also create stress or uncertainty for students. Changes in schedules, academic expectations and friendships may leave children and teens feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
Connection remains one of the strongest protective factors for mental health. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator or coach, supportive relationships help young people feel confident and ready for the year ahead.
The Parents Lead Back-to-School Resource Hub offers tools, conversation starters and guidance to help you support children’s mental well‑being, because every child benefits from adults who notice, listen and care.
North Dakota Kindergarten Association Annual Conference
The North Dakota Kindergarten Association will host its 26th Annual Conference virtually beginning Oct. 3. Participants may earn one semester hour of credit through Valley City State University (ED 2000).
Presenters will share strategies in behavior development, reading, science, social studies and kindergarten‑level mathematics.
For more details and registration, visit www.ndka.com.
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New Courses Available on the North Dakota Eductional HUB
A variety of new professional learning opportunities are now available on the North Dakota Educational HUB. Educators can explore courses focused on growth mindset, instructional coaching, SEL‑aligned literature studies, attachment‑informed teaching, AI‑enhanced classrooms, multilingual learner support, ND A+ and Navvy assessment training, trauma‑informed practices, efficient classroom routines, and innovative instructional design.
Courses range from one‑credit offerings to 15‑hour asynchronous options, giving educators flexible ways to build skills that enhance teaching, learning, and student engagement.
For details, visit Individualized Professional Development.
Dyslexia Professional Development Grants Available
Districts may now apply for grants to support professional learning in dyslexia, including training in structured literacy, assessment and intervention.
Applications are due Sept. 11, with awards issued October 1. Districts may also meet NDCC 15.1‑32‑26 requirements through tuition‑reimbursement scholarships or state‑funded structured literacy coursework offered through the AIM Institute.
For details, visit the North Dakota Dyslexia webpage or for questions, contact Brenda Ehrmantraut.
 2026 ND School-Based OT & PT Conference
Registration is open for the 2026 North Dakota School-Based Occupational (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) Conference, taking place Oct. 1–2 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo. This year’s event highlights practitioner‑requested topics, including core stability, handwriting referrals, OT interventions across the curriculum, assistive technology, play‑based learning and updates from NDDPI. The conference offers practical strategies, fresh insights and opportunities to connect with colleagues statewide. The event is approved by the North Dakota OT/PT State Boards for continuing education units.
For registration, visit 2026 North Dakota School-Based Occupational and Physical Therapy Conference.
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High School Juniors and Seniors Invited to Apply for U.S. Senate Youth Program Scholarship
The 2027 application for the 65th Annual United States Senate Youth Program is now open to North Dakota high school juniors and seniors interested in government and public service. The program offers a fully funded weeklong civic leadership experience in Washington, D.C., where delegates meet with senior federal officials, including U.S. senators, executive branch leaders and members of the Supreme Court.
Washington Week is scheduled for March 6–13, 2027. Selected students will also receive a $12,500 undergraduate scholarship from The Hearst Foundations.
The application deadline is midnight on Oct. 18, 2026. More information about eligibility requirements, the application process and program details is available at United States Senate Youth Program | North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.
For questions, contact Kassie Schaff.
2026 Third Grade Mock Trial on Constitution Day
Third‑grade classrooms nationwide are invited to take part in the 2026 Virtual Mock Trial on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, from 10:30–11:30 a.m. CDT. This engaging event brings the courtroom to life for students as they explore the Constitution, civic responsibility, and how our justice system works.
Teachers are encouraged to register early, as this is a nationwide event. Instructional materials are available to help prepare students in the days leading up to the mock trial.
View the promotional video from Kansas District Court Judge Robert J. Wonnell. For details and registration, visit Nationwide Constitution Day Event - Olathe Public Schools. For questions, email education@kscourts.gov.
Letter from the President Welcomes Students Back to School
A letter from President Trump welcoming students back to school is now available for schools and supporting organizations to share the message with students, teachers, school leaders and their networks.
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