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Chris Giorlando, Red Cloud AmeriCorps Director, wishes to highlight "stories of service" of past Red Cloud Alumni AmeriCorps members, and their continued service as current Red Cloud teachers! In addition, hopefully these stories offer some insight and advice for anyone considering becoming an AmeriCorps member in the future. The following interviews are with two teachers from Our Lady of Lourdes — Kyleigh Blacksmith (K-8th Religion Teacher) and Chanda Lays Bad (K-1st Lakota Immersion Teacher).
Kyleigh Blacksmith
Where did you grow up and go to school?
I grew up in Oglala and Pine Ridge. I went to Loneman [School] and graduated from Pine Ridge High School. I live in Porcupine now.
What made you want to serve a year in AmeriCorps?
My sister and my husband were AmeriCorps Members before and worked in Red Cloud’s AmeriCorps program at Our Lady of Lourdes. I wanted to see if I would like working in the classroom and being a teacher. It ended up that I really enjoyed the work. I loved working with the students and watching them grow, whether that was academically or personally.
What did you learn during your year of service? What was most meaningful for you?
Watching the kids grow and learn was great to see. To see the students at pow wows, at volleyball games, playing basketball. It was so good to help them. Building relationships with the students and helping them to grow as people. Seeing students who I worked with when they were in the 4th grade and they are now in the 8th grade.
Is there a favorite moment from the classroom that you could share?
My favorite moments were the "aha! moments" that the kids have. When the kids were struggling but they finally got it, it was amazing to see the students working through their struggles. Whether it was the kid at the top of the class or a student who was struggling, being able to see them get it and guide them to understanding.
What have you done after your service?
It really helped me become a teacher of religion; I continued working at OLL as a religion teacher. It helped me get the classroom skills necessary to become a teacher in the first place. It helped me become a better teacher going into teaching. I am in my 5th year at OLL now. It’s important because the students have seen so much turnover. It is so important for them to see so many teachers coming back year after year and for them to have that consistency.
Would you recommend the program for others?
Yes, especially if they are interested in teaching. This would be a great way to start it and see if this is something that they want to do. The pay has increased a lot and the scholarship for schooling is an added benefit that really helped me. I learned so much about how to be a teacher; I also became a lot more involved in my community.
What is some advice you would have for someone interested in applying? Or first a first year member?
Always reach out for help and never be afraid to ask questions. In our program and skill, there are always people willing to help and to guide you. It can be stressful, but there are so many amazing opportunities to enjoy learning with the students and with the After-School Program and clubs.
Chanda Lays Bad
Where did you grow up and go to school?
I grew up in Porcupine and went to Our Lady of Lourdes from kindergarten through eighth grade, and went to Red Cloud for high school. I was a district student who lived on the outskirts of the main districts. It was tough as I had really long days and wasn’t able to participate because I didn’t have a ride. It helped me to keep up with my studies and have more time to catch up on my homework a lot though. It kind of made me sad that I didn’t get to participate in most events because of how far I was.
What made you want to serve a year in AmeriCorps?
I heard about AmeriCorps when I was attending Red Cloud and studying there. It was promoted when I was a senior. I spent a full-year in Oglala Lakota College before Sara Camp, a previous AmeriCorps Director, asked me to come back and be a part of this work. So, I decided to give it a shot as I could balance my class schedule with work. I also wanted to be a teacher, and being in AmeriCorps helped me become a teacher, gaining the skills and experiences to be a full teacher.
What did you learn during your year of service? What was most meaningful for you?
When I first started I was going to be in first grade, but the kindergarten teacher wanted me to switch and work there. I was nervous at first as I knew how crazy working with kindergarten could be. It was amazing working in kindergarten though. I learned patience, a lot of patience. But I learned a lot of little things. They taught me how to be kind to each other, how to share. I learned how to speak to them. I was substituting in classrooms, I was helping in specials classes, I was helping other teachers. I learned how to speak to each grade. With kindergarten, you need a softer tone with them. But as you go to the upper grades, you kind of change as you can’t be way too nice to them. I learned how to work in a school, how to get along with the teachers, complete paperwork, lesson plan or any other workplace skills, including my communication skills with colleagues, bosses, and students. I learned how to build connections with students and teachers as well. Really the amount of things that I learned were incredible.
Is there a favorite moment from the classroom that you could share?
I guess my favorite moment of all time was when my own students tell me that I am a good teacher, that I am “the best” teacher. Also, when my students speak Lakota, and hear them saying “I did it!” in Lakota and using their language in the classroom.
Lakota Immersion: You served Three Years in AmeriCorps. And your last year was working to start the Lakota Immersion Program at OLL. Can you tell us about that and how that has gone?
It was a little difficult because we were online. I was working first-hand with a fluent speaker, though we were both having a difficult time online. I learned a lot more Lakota working with her and with the students. Also, working with the other immersion teachers. It helped me a lot this year getting a head start working in my own immersion classroom. Overall, it was pretty good although it was online. I have tried my best to have them speak Lakota. I try not to make it too difficult for them as it is their first time starting to learn the language in this way. I speak slowly to them and they practice as well. That year, working with a fluent speaker really helped me with what I am doing this year.
What have you done after your service?
I was invited to be the Kindergarten Immersion teacher at OLL after my third year of AmeriCorps Service. I was nervous at first, as I am also taking college [classes], but I have pushed myself to learn the language. I think it is up to my generation to keep up the language and the culture. It is a little difficult to incorporate a new language in a classroom, but at the same time, they are in a learning stage where they are like a sponge and absorbing everything that you say to them. The students realize that they are keeping the language going in our tribe.
Would you recommend the program for others?
Yes, I would recommend it for people who want to go into teaching, specifically. You have to have a big heart to become a teacher. I want people who do AmeriCorps and who want to become a teacher to put their whole mind, heart, and soul into this job. They’re impacting the students way more than they think. It helped me become a better person. Not only did I learn a lot about working in a school, but these kids taught me a lot as well. We need people to work with our children on the reservation; so many of our children need that mentorship and companionship.
What is some advice you would have for someone interested in applying? Or first a first year member?
I would say don’t be afraid to ask questions, to ask for help. We are all a community here. At first, I was afraid because I didn’t want people to think I was struggling. But we are all here to help each other, and you will find out that your limits are more than you thought they were. Don’t try to overwhelm yourself; take it slow, one step at a time, and you will learn from your mistakes; try to talk to your teacher as much as you can. Communicating with your teacher will also greatly help.
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