While working as a teacher at a tribal school’s Gifted and Talented program on her reservation in Sisseton, South Dakota, Nona Siyaka decided to take her career to the next level. With over thirty years of experience working with students from preschool through university and a master’s degree from Edinburgh University Scotland under her belt, she decided to pursue a Gifted, Talented, and Creative Licensure through Emporia State University. Her reason for doing so was clear: to strengthen her teaching license, deepen her skills, and better serve the gifted learners in her care.
Nona didn’t choose Emporia State by chance; she did her homework. She needed a program that aligned specifically with South Dakota’s endorsement requirements while also being flexible, affordable, and fully online. Emporia State checked every box. She noted that the program’s coursework would help future-proof her teaching license. “All their classes aligned with what I needed for my endorsement,” she said.
Nona quickly realized how vital the program’s online structure was to her daily routine. “I could hand in my assignments and participate in discussions at any time that fit my schedule, which is extremely busy,” she said. She also found her coursework to be immediately helpful to her as an educator. “Things that we were learning were pertinent to my job, and I was able to start implementing the skills that I was learning right away.”
Another immediate impact of the program for Nona was the support she received from faculty, her academic advisor, and her student retention specialist, Corrie. The responsiveness of Emporia State’s team has made a real difference. “I’ve been supported all along the way in every aspect of being a student at this school,” she said. “My academic advisor has been so helpful. I had some issues registering for a class, and it was sorted within, I think, less than two hours. They communicate with me right away. It was a smooth transition for any issues that I encountered.”
Through her classes, Nona has bonded with other students and embraced networking opportunities. “I found that some of the similar people from one course are also in another course. So, I feel like I’m building some stronger connections and I’m getting to know people,” she said. “Every single discussion feels like a networking discussion because we’re sharing ideas and experiences, tips and tricks that have worked for us, and I’ve been able to implement some of the things or borrow some of the ideas from my people in my cohort.”
Nona’s dedication to the betterment of her students continues to drive her through the program and strengthen her skills as an educator. She has a strong passion for advocating for students from diverse backgrounds, and the program has helped her learn to serve them better. The program has built on her confidence as a leader and given her ideas about where she might take her career in the future. “It’s definitely opened up my eyes to also some other leadership opportunities that I have heard of, and I’m more interested in pursuing.”
Her positive experience has made Nona an enthusiastic proponent of the program. “I recommend this online program to basically anybody who’s listening,” she said. “I feel lucky that I found the program myself. I feel like it’s more than lucky.”
Earn Your Licensure Online
The online Gifted, Talented, and Creative Licensure program at Emporia State University is designed for you to help gifted children and adolescents reach their full potential in the classroom and beyond. Equipped with a deeper understanding of giftedness from historical and modern perspectives, you will be prepared to instruct, encourage, and challenge students with exceptional creative and academic abilities.
In this CAEP-accredited program, you will learn to identify high-performing students, develop their abilities, and maintain their advancements through curriculum and assessments adapted to their individual strengths and weaknesses.
Get Started Today
Your new career is just around the corner with Emporia State University’s Gifted, Talented, and Creative Licensure. Learn more and apply today!
