South Decatur Elementary

Superintendent: Dr. Jarrod Burns
Superintendent Email: jburns@decaturco.k12.in.usÂ
Principal: Nicole Stone
Principal Email: nstone@decaturco.k12.in.us
Assistant Principal: Jacob Rader
Assistant Principal Email: jrader@decaturco.k12.in.usÂ
STEM Chair: Casey Bolton
STEM Chair Email: cbolton@decaturco.k12.in.us
South Decatur Elementary School Mission Statement:
At South Decatur Elementary School, we believe students can think critically, creatively, and reflectively and become effective communicators, productive collaborators, and digitally literate. It is the mission of Decatur County Community Schools to create a safe and caring environment where each individual can grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. The focus of our schools is to encourage students to persevere to meet academic challenges with openness, enthusiasm, and a willingness to solve problems using 21st Century skills. This will be accomplished through an atmosphere of cooperation with respect for individual differences and community value.Â
South Decatur Elementary STEM Plan Mission Statement:
We believe that STEM education provides an excellent and natural pathway to our school's overall mission. In order for students to become more creative, reflective, and collaborative; and to instill an enthusiasm for challenges that can only be fostered with a wide skill set, students must have access to a variety of academic opportunities. We wish to increase these opportunities by providing students access to quality STEM lessons and STEM materials. We will continue to create interactive and engaging experiences for our students, so that they will be better prepared for a successful future.
South Decatur Elementary STEM Plan Vision Statement:Â
The Decatur County Community School district's vision is to develop the skills of critical, creative, and reflective thinking; effective and productive communication and collaboration; and digital literacy, through collaboration between students, parents, school, and community. South Decatur Elementary will help to ensure this vision through a robust STEM program. Through increased access to STEM lessons and best practices, professional development, well-founded funding plans, school-wide dedication, and community partnerships, we will develop future workforce citizens who demonstrate employability skills, 21st Century skills, and a solid foundation in the fields of STEM.
The SDES Mission/Vision & Indiana's Priorities for STEM Education
STEM Priority 1: The SDES Mission and vision statement highlight our dedication to increased STEM exposure. In alignment with Indiana's Priorities for STEM Education, we have chosen PLTW curriculum as a researched-based program for many of our STEM lessons. Furthermore, National Geographic's Big Ideas was recently adopted as our research-based math curriculum, and Generation Genius and Discovery Education Science are used as supplements for our science curriculum.Â
STEM Priority 2: Along with increasing student STEM exposure, STEM was added as a weekly specials rotation. There is a full-time teacher dedicated to teaching the STEM rotation in "The Lab" at SDES. Moreover, there is a full-time STEM assistant. The STEM teacher has time built into the weekly specials rotation to meet with teachers for STEM planning, to co-teach, or to model as needed. A STEM committee has been established to ensure and encourage more STEM integration at each grade level.Â
STEM Priority 3: Not only is STEM a weekly 45 minute specials rotation for all students within the SDES building, we continue to add opportunities for students to experience STEM during and after school with our ever-growing schedule of special events and programs related to STEM.Â
At SDES, we know that the skills gained through STEM will help students succeed in all subjects, at all levels, and in all areas of their current and future lives. More STEM equals more skills, more knowledge, and brighter futures.Â
STEM School Leadership Team Biographies
Casey Bolton
STEM Teacher
STEM Committee Chair
18 Years Experience
Extensive training in tech & CS
Technology Integration Specialist 8 years
Master's Degree Specialization: Integrating Technology in the ClassroomÂ
Trained as PLTW Teacher
Project WET and Project WILD Training
Camp Invention / STEM Camp Instructor
Nicole Stone
Principal
STEM Committee Member
15 Years Experience
HRS Training
High Ability Training
Experience as High Ability Coordinator
Make-A-Splash Technology Conference
Jacob Rader
Assistant Principal
STEM Committee Member
13 Years Experience
Trained as PLTW Teacher
HRS Training
Angie Hamer
6th Grade Science Teacher
STEM Committee Member
19 Years Experience
Make-A-Splash Technology Conference
Camp Invention / STEM Camp Instructor
Math and Science Committee Experience
Google Bootcamp
Science Textbook Adoption Committee
Keri Mauer
5th Grade Science Teacher
STEM Committee Member
Make-A-Splash Technology Conference
7 Years Experience
Science Textbook Adoption Committee
Ag Day Committee
Payten Ewing
4th Grade Teacher
STEM Committee Member
4 Years Experience
Attended multiple STEM conferences including HECC
Make-A-Splash Technology Conference
Science Textbook Adoption Committee
Kristen Hicks
3rd Grade Teacher
STEM Committee Member
10 Years Experience
Google Level 1 Certified
Science Committee Experience
Make-A-Splash Technology Conference
Laura Johnson
2nd Grade Teacher
STEM Committee Member
32 Years Experience
Google Level 2 Certified
Make-A-Splash Technology Conference
Project Wild and Project Learning Tree Training
Allysa Scaggs
1st Grade Teacher
STEM Committee Member
19 Years Experience
Make-A-Splash Technology Conference
Madelyn Bryant
Kindergarten Teacher
STEM Committee Member
First Year Teacher
Leann Porter
School Social WorkerÂ
STEM Committee Member
Make-A-Splash Technology Conference
Emma Shaver
K-2 Special Education Teacher
STEM Committee Member
7 Years Experience
Project WET Training
Google Level 1 Training
Tara Sample
Preschool Teacher
STEM Committee Member
5 Years Experience
16 Years Early Childhood