Abby Wotton is looking for her future. Now wrapping up her master’s degree in English, the Easton resident is considering her options, and one of them may be something that wasn’t initially on her radar.
Last week, she found herself telling a representative from the Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, S.D., which servers nearly 600 Lakȟóta K-12 students from the surrounding reservation, that she may be interested in volunteering to teach there.
“I’m looking for teaching experience,” Ms. Wotton said, adding that she was open to something less traditional than what most graduates are seeking. She said she’s in the position where she can afford to volunteer her time.
“One of the nice things having gone to Bridgewater is I’m not buried in student debt, so I don’t have to immediately go to work next year,” Ms. Wotton said.
BSU has an ongoing relationship with the Pine Ridge reservation that dates back several years. President Frederick W. Clark Jr. is interested in increasing on several fronts the university’s involvement with the reservation and its schools.
Maka Akan Najin Clifford is the volunteer coordinator for the school system, which was founded in 1888 as Holy Rosary Mission. He was on campus last Friday meeting with graduating students who might be interested in volunteering.
“This partnership has been so fruitful for us and we want it to grow,” Mr. Clifford said. “We want more Bridgewater people out there.”
There are actually three Red Cloud schools across the reservation, which is one of the poorest areas of the United States, with an unemployment rate of roughly 80 percent. Mr. Clifford said that 95 percent of the funding for Red Cloud comes from donations and grants, since the school system cannot charge tuition.
That’s one reason the schools seek to bring in up to two dozen volunteer educators per year. Another reason are the benefits outside volunteers bring to the classroom.
“The volunteer program is so vitally important in expanding our students’ worldview,” Mr. Clifford said.
Coming from outside the Pine Ridge Reservation and teaching at one of the Red Cloud schools can be challenging, he admitted.
“There is a culture shock that comes with entering an Indian reservation, to learn and grow and be faced with certain elements of life there,” he said.
Yet the volunteers get much from the experience. Some return year after year.
What kind of individuals is Red Cloud looking for?
“I’m looking for people who are first and foremost interested in the field of education, and someone who has a spirit of service who is willing to challenge themselves and leave their comfort zone,” Mr. Clifford said.
A bachelor’s degree is required, as well. Those interested in volunteering can send an email to volunteer@redcloudschool.org, or log on to the school system’s website at redcloudschool.org. (Story and photo by John Winters, University News & Media)