Teacher in-service programs are valuable for teacher development and provide a positive kick-start to the academic year.

Northern's College of Professional Studies - Education, in conjunction with The Office of Online & Continuing Education, sponsor the annual Back-to-School Workshop (BSW) every fall semester. All are welcome to attend the BSW for free.

Schools/districts/teachers may participate one of two ways:

  • Attend the workshop in person at the Johnson Fine Arts Center on Northern's campus in Aberdeen
  • Participate via Zoom livestreaming from anywhere, individually or as a group

All BSW participants have the opportunity to register for an EDFN 4/592 companion course for one undergraduate or graduate transcript credit at the reduced tuition rate of $40 per credit hour. The companion course credit meets the South Dakota Department of Education teacher renewal requirements.

Let Northern help kick-start your academic year!

 

16TH ANNUAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL WORKSHOP

Kids Deserve It!

Todd Nesloney

Six-time author, award-winning educator TEDx speaker, founding member of Get Your Lead On

August 16, 2023, from 8 a.m.- Noon

Northern State University Johnson Fine Arts Center 

 

Todd Nesloney

Todd Nesloney is the director of culture and strategic leadership for the Texas Elementary Principals  and Supervisors Association. He was previously a principal/lead learner at a preK-5 school in Texas. He is the award-winning author of "Kids Deserve It!," "Stories From Webb," "Sparks in the Dark," "When Kids Lead" and his newest book, "In This Season." He has also published a children’s book, "Spruce & Lucy."

Todd has been recognized by John C. Maxwell as a top 10 finalist for the 2018 Transformational Leadership Award; by the White House as a connected educator champion of change; the National School Board Association as one of the 20 to Watch in Education; the Center for Digital Education as a top 40 innovator in education; the BAMMYs as the national elementary principal of the year and the national elementary teacher of the year; and the Texas Computer Education Association as their Texas elementary teacher of the year. He is also a two-time TEDx speaker.

Todd was a classroom champions teacher, working with Olympic and Paralympic athletes. He also served as a member of the Scholastic Principal Advisory Board.

Todd is passionate about education and innovation. He was a classroom teacher for seven years before becoming a campus principal in Navasota, Texas, where he brought in new staff and used his creative ideas to transform the campus.

Obvious at his talks is Todd's immense love for doing what’s best for kids despite limitations. Todd worked in an environment where almost 90 percent of his students were on a free-and-reduced lunch. His campus and district were 85 percent minority and faced many challenges. But that’s exactly what Todd thrives on - he loves a challenge. 

Todd travels and speaks about his innovative practices and how we have to stop making excuses on why we can’t do things for our students. Todd also speaks about his use of technology in the classroom and with his school and offers educators ideas on ways to use existing tools to create the best possible learning environment for children. 

Todd hosts the podcast series “Honestly, #LetsTalk,” blogs and share his stories through Twitter and other social media. Todd and his wife, Lissette, have twin boys, Liam and Brixton; and live in Brenham, Texas.

To learn more about this event and other continuing education programs, visit NSU Online and Continuing Education or call 605-626-2568.

 

Previous Topics and Keynote Speakers

2022: Monica Washington

2021: "The Lab Coat Teacher": Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa

2020: Motivating and Managing Disruptive Students; Speaker: Brian Mendler

2019: Adventures in Teacher Leadership; Speaker: Rebecca Mieliwocki

2018: Strategies for Success as a Teacher; Speaker: Alex Kajitani

2017: High Leverage Teaching Practices; Speakers: Francesca Forzani and Nicole Garcia

2016: The Magic of Teaching; Speaker: Billy Riggs

2015: Equipping Leaders for Greater Impact; Speaker: Bob Upgren

2014: Rachel’s Challenge; Speaker: Darrell and Sandy Scott

2013: Common Core Standards; Speaker: Brian Pete

2012: A Framework for Understanding Poverty; Speaker: Ruby Payne

2011:  Preventing Bullying in the Classroom and School; Speaker: Brian Mendler