Your Story:
I am a Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Oyate teacher of Native Literature, American Literature, Writing, Journalism and English at Chemawa Indian HS--the oldest off-rez boarding school in the country. Our students come from 22 states and represent over 70 different tribes. I have been teaching non-stop for 34 years and I hope to teach at least 35 more and then think, think mind you about retiring. Maybe. But t hat's 35 years down the pow wow highway.
Teaching is my passion and vocation. Empowering our young people--teenagers--to be able to WRITE is the major instrument I think will maintain our treaties for seven times seventy generations from now. We must be able to effectively and efficiently use the written word to stand up to the myriad of challenges to our sovereignty as tribal people and protect our lands for future generations.
I hold a BA in English, a BA in journalism, a MS in Curriculum and Instruction, MAT in education and a Ph.D. in Native Literature because I love and respect the power of the written and spoken word, and I want our future leaders to love and appreciate the power that one has being an effective communicator. Each day I am with my students is filled with wonder, surprise, laughter and also confusion, but it is NEVER dull. Being a teacher means being a good listener, great storyteller and someone who values our teenagers who will soon be making the decisions about our lives. We better prepare them for such massive responsibilites or we have no one to blame but ourselves.
A student asked me what I was doing this weekend. "I'm prepping classes, grading and reading," I said. He responded by saying, "Hey Dr. LaCroix, don't you have cable? Why read when you don't have to?" Now he is checking out books and loving the works of Sherman Alexie, Joy Harjo and Edgar Allen Poe. In the dorm they have cable, but he is finding the balance and understands a bit more of the options available when you can enjoy a wide range of literature and stories.
I have taught university classes but I love being with the high school kids. Were we ever that sensitive, hyper, suffering such angst and crash/burning all at t he same time? Yes, but the vantage point is a much longer past view of life. Still, I would not change my vocation as a high school English teacher at Chemawa Indian HS for anything. I could use, however, some of the great DVDs from Vision Maker. Hint. JOKES! Not.
