What’s New at SEDC?


  • EDPD 13792 Matter and Energy in Science – Spring ’25 Elementary Science Endorsement Course

    EDPD 13792 Matter and Energy in Science – Spring ’25 Elementary Science Endorsement Course

    What: Spring 2025 Elementary Science Course: Matter and Energy in Science for the Elementary Science Endorsement. This course builds on the previous systems course as participants apply matter & energy to interactions within physical & living things.

    When: Course starts Wednesday, January 8 and runs through Thursday April 24, 2025

    How: 2.5-hour Synchronous Zoom Meetings: January 8, February 11, March 19, April 8 (These meeting will be Q & A format, to support participants as they are working)

    One In-person Meeting: Saturday, March 8th 10 am-4 pm at the Iron County School District Offices, 2077 West Royal Hunte Drive Cedar City, Utah 84720

    Cost: Courses will be offered FREE to all Utah elementary teachers with support from the STEM Endorsement Incentive Grant. SEDC will pay the SUU tuition.

    Instructor: Sara McAffee – Iron County School District Elementary STEM Specialist

    The CRN for this course is 13792.

    The last day to register is 01/29/25.

    SUU Registration InstructionsSUU New K-12 Course Policies

    Share this information with anyone interested at sedck12.org/spring25sci

    A colorful poster advertising an elementary science course. The title "Elementary Science" is in large, bold letters at the top. Below that, it says "Endorsement with SEDC" and "Matter and Energy in Science" for the Spring 2025 Course: Matter and Energy in Science, EDPD 13792 for the SEDC Elementary Science Endorsement. The poster also features various science-related illustrations, such as a rocket, a microscope, and a globe.

    Share this flyer with this link.


  • Utah Arts Academy Students Win Big at National Arts Competition

    Utah Arts Academy Students Win Big at National Arts Competition

    from Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com | Posted – Dec. 1, 2024 at 9:34 a.m.

     

    Utah Arts Academy Students Emerson Williams and Roxie Sparlinkg won top honors at the YoungArts national competition. (Drew Williams)
    Utah Arts Academy Students Emerson Williams and Roxie Sparlinkg won top honors at the YoungArts national competition. (Drew Williams)

    ST. GEORGE — Four students at the Utah Arts Academy can now say they are award-winning artists.

    The YoungArts competition is basically the Super Bowl for high school artists, according to Utah Arts Academy Principal Drew Williams. Four of his students clinched victories out of 11,000 entries from high school students across the country.

    Sadie Barrowes and Emerson Williams won in songwriting, Melanie Petersen won in musical theater and Roxie Sparling won in the popular voice category. Drew Williams said in the songwriting and theater categories, his students were the only ones selected from Utah.

    Roxie, 17, and Emerson, 16, won the “award with distinction,” a higher honor only 150 students total received in the competition. With their wins, the two rising artists will travel to Miami in January for a weeklong experience of mentorship with industry professionals and the opportunity to earn scholarships.

    Roxie submitted videos of herself performing three different songs that fit specific requirements and that she learned this year: “Anything” by Demi Lovato, “Sour Candy” by Melt and “All by Myself” by Celine Dion. She said she loved these powerful songs and was proud of all the work she put in to make it this far.

    “I literally had no expectations going into this competition obviously because it’s so big and prestigious, so when I got the call that I had won, I was ecstatic. I was in school, and I was out in the hallway by myself jumping up and down,” Roxie said.

    She feels grateful for the opportunity and hopes to inspire other people to chase their dreams, she said.


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  • EDUC 5500 Numbers and Operations for Practitioners – Spring ’25 Elementary Math Endorsement

    EDUC 5500 Numbers and Operations for Practitioners – Spring ’25 Elementary Math Endorsement

    What: Spring 2025 Elementary Math Endorsement Class: EDUC 5500 Numbers and Operations for Practitioners

    When: Course meets via Zoom, 1st Monday of each month – January 6 through May 5 2025

    How: Online via Canvas & Zoom

    More information and registration can be found here.

    Share this information with anyone interested at sedck12.org/spring25math

    A colorful poster advertising an elementary math endorsement course. The title "Elementary Math Endorsement" is in large, bold letters at the top. Below that, it says "Through SEDC". The poster also features various math-related illustrations, such as a ruler, a calculator, and a number line.

    Share this flyer with anyone interested with this link.


  • Let’s Talk Movies and the Classroom!

    Let’s Talk Movies and the Classroom!

    So, you’re a teacher and you’re wondering about showing movies in class? It’s a great way to spark interest and bring lessons to life, but it’s important to do it the right way. Or maybe you just want something for indoor recess or as a class reward?

    Here’s the scoop on copyright and streaming movies:

    • Copyright protects creative works. That means movies, TV shows, music, and more are owned by someone.
    • Most streaming services don’t allow public showings. This includes classrooms, even if it’s just for a short clip. 

    But don’t worry! There are several ways to access movies legally:

    What if the movie is not in SWANK or eMedia?

    • Fair Use: This is a tricky one, but it basically means you can use small portions of a copyrighted work for educational purposes. Click here for details on Fair Use.
    • Keep it short and sweet. Show only the parts that are directly related to your lesson.
    • Focus on learning. Make sure the movie clip is a tool to help students understand, not just entertainment.
    • Ask your school’s media specialist. They can give you specific advice on what’s allowed.

    Where can I find materials to use with movies to increase engagement?

    Teach with Movies: This site has movie summaries and lesson plans

    What if I just want something to show for indoor recess?

    Remember:

    It’s always better to be safe than sorry. By following these guidelines, you can use movies in your classroom without any legal trouble. 

    Have fun and happy teaching!


  • Spring 2025 Instructional Coaching Endorsement Class (EDUC 5411) with SEDC

    EDUC 5411: Foundations of Instructional Coaching SEDC Instructional Coaching Endorsement Course for Spring 2025

    What: Spring 2025 Instructional Coaching Endorsement Class: EDUC 5411: Foundations of Instructional Coaching (second course in cohort)

    When: Second Tuesday of every month, January 14th through April 8, 2025, 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm (synchronous online)

    Who: Open to all teachers interested in Instructional Coaching Endorsement (courses can be taken in any order)

    How: Virtual class offered via Zoom and Canvas. Synchronous attendance and participation required.

    Fees:

    • SEDC Fee: $210.00
    • UVU Tuition: $45 (one-time $35 admission fee for first-time UVU students)

    Questions:

    Notes: 

  • Connecting Classrooms & Communities

    Connecting Classrooms & Communities

    UEN PDTV Feature of Boulder Elementary and SEDC PD Team

    In this episode of UEN’s PDTV Principals Edition, we meet Teacher Leader and Administrator Elizabeth Julian at Boulder Elementary. Elizabeth has transformed her school into a place of innovative learning with the support of incredible partners like the Utah Film Center, Utah Education Network, and SEDC. These partnerships have brought exciting and enriching experiences directly to her students and we’ll get a glance into just how.

    Read more: Connecting Classrooms & Communities
  • Samie Ott Spotlight on UEN PDTV

    Samie Ott Spotlight on UEN PDTV

    Computational Classrooms

    Let’s join Samie Ott’s classroom at Bryce Valley Elementary and witness firsthand how Utah’s Computer Science standards are being integrated into the curriculum. In this episode of UEN’s PDTV, you’ll see Samie’s students showcase their learning journey as they demonstrate their mastery of computational thinking. Dig deeper about the educational technology standards addressed in Samie’s video, as well as past teacher spotlights on the UEN PDTV playlist page.

    Schools can reserve the the planetarium by contacting Clint. The planetarium will be delivered, picked up and facilitated by SEDC staff and/or trained personnel from districts. Use for classroom instruction, before and after school clubs and camps, computing, and STEM activities, Back to School Nights, school event kickoffs, end-of-year activities, fundraisers, community events, and much more!

    Explore the built-in Lesson Plans here.

  • URSA Dedicated Service Awardee – Selene Corbridge

    URSA Dedicated Service Awardee – Selene Corbridge

    Large Photograph of Selene Corbridge, Office Manager

    Selene Corbridge is the Office Manager for Southwest Educational Development Center in Cedar City, UT. She is responsible for the daily operation and activities of the center. These responsibilities include; tracking of revenue, accounts payable and receivable, requisitions for purchase orders, preparing payroll, preparing invoices for assessments, and monitoring employee contracts. Selene prepares correspondence for SEDC’s Executive Board and keeps minutes for their monthly board meetings.

    In addition, Selene is the Administrator for the Southwest Sterling Scholar program. This includes managing budgets, planning board meetings, scheduling and working to have everything run smoothly.

    Lastly, Selene is a welcoming presence in the office. She answers phones, greets visitors and maintains a professional atmosphere for those who visit and work at SEDC.

    Congratulations Selene! Well deserved. Thank you for ALL you do for us at SEDC!

     


  • EdTech Endorsement – New Competency-Based Pathway Through SEDC & UEN

    EdTech Endorsement 2023

    word cloud of terms relevant to educational technology teaching and learning in Utah in 2023 - you can view the list here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xx6LrXgaopVxeu1cJdKwfhuELuDBUhkBl8PjBfUCXAc/edit?usp=sharing

    New Competency-Based Pathways Through SEDC & UEN

    Educators are increasingly expected to exhibit skills and knowledge of using technology to enhance student learning. On July 1, 2023, the traditional path for the Educational Technology Endorsement Program (ETEP) was replaced with a Competency-Based approach. You are now able to demonstrate your skills to earn the endorsement without any coursework!
     
    However, if you are not quite at that level, you still have an anywhere, anytime course-based pathway to the endorsement. The SEDC & UEN ETEP is grounded in the these new USBE EdTech Competencies, as well as the Utah Effective Teaching Standards and will help you learn the fundamentals of technology integration, effective pedagogy, digital citizenship, media literacy and to expand your leadership horizons. The courses are all self-paced, and you can enroll and begin your journey anytime.
     

    This endorsement program is designed by UEN and approved by the Utah State Board of Education. Participants who began the traditional endorsement before July 2023 can continue with that route or change to the new competency-based endorsement. All traditional requirements much be completed before June 30, 2025.

    Already know you are interested in joining the new ETEP program with SEDC? Sign up here. If you are not sure, read on!

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