Ellendale, ND – Educators in Ellendale Public School have spent the 2024-25 school year engaged in professional learning provided in collaboration with the SEEC to enhance teaching practices and improve student outcomes. Professional learning specialists, Brandie Ulland, Danette Brown, and Ryan Lyson, have designed comprehensive training sessions in collaboration with building leaders, Cindy Rall and Allison Radermacher, to address the following areas:
Student Engagement: Recognizing the importance of keeping students actively involved in their learning, educators have participated in SEEC’s Improving Academic Literacy trainings surrounding student engagement. Educators have learned several strategies that boost engagement, some of which include precision partnering, parallel lines, and individual responses. Throughout the year, educators have also engaged in the public practice of learning walks to observe colleagues and their practices in action. Creating a system of learners who do “everything all of the time” has bolstered engagement within classrooms across their system.
Standards-Based Instruction: To ensure that all students meet the required academic standards, the trainings held throughout the year emphasized both horizontal and vertical alignment of instruction with the ND state standards. Educators spent time engaging with ND Standards-based Learning tools to prioritize standards, design curriculum maps and create lessons that are both rigorous and accessible to all learners.
Retention, Interleaving, and Slot Practice Activities: Educators have learned about and focused on cognitive science principles to enhance student retention and proficiency over time. Interleaving, which involves mixing different topics or subjects, and slot practice activities, which provide spaced repetition, are key components of this training. These methods allow educators to design instruction and support students’ ability retain information more effectively and apply their knowledge in various contexts.
Impact on Educators and Students
The feedback from educators has been overwhelmingly positive. Teachers have reported increased confidence in their instructional practices and a renewed enthusiasm for teaching. One teacher shared, “The discussion at our tables around deep learning and retention of learning left me feeling rejuvenated. I am ready to take a closer look at my assessments and implement the interleaving strategies surrounding some of the priority standards we have already taught.”
Students, too, are benefiting from these enhanced teaching practices. Administrators have shared that student-engagement strategies are becoming more and more evident as the year goes on, and these strategies are directly supporting engaged-learners at all K-12 levels. With more engaging and standards-aligned, evidence-based instruction, students are showing improved academic performance and a greater levels of ownership within the learning spaces at Ellendale Public Schools.
Looking Ahead
Secondary principal, Cindy Rall, expressed her views on this year’s professional learning opportunities. She stated, "Through partnership and professional growth, Ellendale Public School and SEEC are equipping educators with the tools to elevate learning—fostering engagement, deepening retention, and ensuring every student reaches their full potential. And looking ahead to this spring and into next year, Ellendale schools will continue this work within Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to foster ongoing growth and ensure these strategies become deeply embedded in daily instructional practices.”
This article highlights the significant efforts and positive impact of the partnership between the school districts with the South East region and the SEEC organization. To learn more about how the SEEC can partner with your district to level up learning, reach out to us today.