Despite everything happening in the world around us, I am reminded of God’s power and plans to make things new. By His blessings, our family is very excited to join Dakota Adventist Academy this coming school year.
It was my senior year in high school at Holbrook Indian School in Arizona that I realized I wanted to be an English teacher. I always loved reading, but until that year I didn’t realize how much more the humanities had to offer. Debate, research, critical thinking and various writing techniques offered so many more outlets.
I had to work hard to make up ground as I transitioned to college courses at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. Creating positive relationships with my professors and practicing resiliency in my personal life paved the way for success in getting my bachelor’s degree in Language Arts Education.
My husband, Zak, and I both graduated from Union College and moved to Holbrook Indian School in Arizona, where I was the girl’s dean and freshman English teacher. As our time and experience grew, so did our roles on campus. Zak became the full-time art teacher and I became the vice principal and teacher of a college preparatory course and an advanced reading course.
In my teaching experience, I have taught American literature, AP American literature, drama, public speaking, core English classes, and a next level preparatory class. The last class included life skills, testing preparation, college and scholarship applications and an exploration of vocational and other certification opportunities.
My family and I look forward to this new adventure in the Midwest. I was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and am an Oglala Lakota Sioux. We have an 11-year-old boy, 7-year-old boy, 3-year-old girl, and two 1-year-old boys. Zak and I are nervous about returning to the cold winters, but are excited to be close to family and friends. Our children, however, are excited to play in the snow this winter and make new friends.
Jovannah Poor Bear Adams begins teaching this fall at Dakota Adventist Academy.
