STAFF VS. STUDENTS. From left, Kara Bobroff, principal, and Leroy Silva, instructor, pause while playing lacrosse against students at the Native American Community Academy. Photo courtesy of Leroy Silva

Teacher Leroy Silva (Laguna), 27, a.k.a. “Buster,” smiled broadly in early August as he gathered with his colleagues for the back-to-school orientation at the Native American Community Academy (NACA). Located in Albuquerque, NM, the academy is the first such urban charter school. It serves Native students in grades sixth through ninth.  NACA serves about 200 of the approximately 5,500 Native American students in the Albuquerque public school district. The district serves a total of 80,000 students.

The group of approximately 30 school staff members sat in a circle, introducing themselves one by one, since some were new. When Silva took his turn, he had them all stand and move as he led them through a self-pat-down, from their feet to the crowns of their heads. He led actively, enthusiastically demonstrating every move.

No wonder. He describes himself as an active guy who stays busy working out, playing basketball, softball, and more recently golf, soccer, and lacrosse. Silva teaches personal wellness and sports (not physical education), a job he began in 2006. Before that he was a trainer at the Laguna Pueblo Wellness Center, his first job after graduating from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS. He earned two degrees at Haskell: an Associate Degree in Health, Physical Education, and Athletics in 2003 and a Bachelor’s Degree in American Indian Studies in 2005.

Silva enrolled at Haskell in 2000, following a cousin. He proudly recalls wearing the purple and gold Haskell Indian colors while playing basketball in the Coffin Sports Complex. In 2004, he was named “Mr. Haskell,” becoming the first to carry the title in 40 years. While the school has always named a “Miss Haskell,” there was a lapse in choosing a male ambassador (also referred to as the Haskell Brave) until Silva competed against four others to revive the tradition. For his traditional talent in the contest, he performed a veteran’s honor dance taught to him by his grandfather.

While he thrived at Haskell, Silva says, “I first had to overcome the struggle of leaving my home on the reservation, my family, my friends, and my culture.” Looking back, “The sacrifice was worthwhile,” he says. “It benefited me and my community.” Silva hopes that more Native students will take on the challenge of pursing higher education “because our communities need us to pave a brighter future for generations to come.”

LEROY SILVA, WELLNESS AND SPORTS TEACHER. Photo by Tina Deschenie

Although he didn’t plan to become a teacher, Silva says he has always known he wanted to make a difference with youth. When he began exploring the NACA position, he spent two weeks deliberating, before finally taking the leap at the urging of his mother, Joan Silva. Although he had questioned his ability to develop lesson plans and whether he would actually like the work, she said, “You can do it, I know you can.”

Since he didn’t major in education, Silva is working on alternative licensure by developing a portfolio that addresses New Mexico state teaching competencies. He laughs as he says, “It surprised me how comfortably I took up teaching; I discovered I have patience.”

Silva knows some of his students breakfast on soda and chips. “I was never taught about diabetes, heart disease, or nutrition until high school,” Silva says, “but these health conditions are affecting our communities, and they need to be taught at a younger age. This is why I’m here.” The NACA staff is developing a community nutrition law, which will prohibit fast food, soda, and other unhealthy foods on campus. Silva says, “Even we staff members must comply; we have to model what we teach.”

He says most middle school students have a lot going on with their bodies and inside their heads. “They ask – Where do I fit in? Why am I getting hair under my arms!? They ask why to everything.”

Silva describes a particular student who lacked confidence, got frustrated over what he didn’t understand, and avoided homework. Silva says, “I kept encouraging him, no matter what he was doing – worksheets, playing dodge ball, or running the mile. I was right there, telling him, ‘Right on, you’re doing good! Keep it up!’ Today Silva sees a pay-off in a changed student who asks for help and appears happier. “Students like him make my teaching experience worthwhile.”

Kara L. Bobroff (Lakota/Navajo), the founding principal of NACA, says, “Mr. Silva is a strong role model for our students. He emulates the core values, mission, and vision of our school: college success, knowing his own culture and language, practicing personal wellness, and being committed to community and service. He has positively impacted our youth since our school started in 2006.”

Talking about NACA, Silva visibly brightens. “Together we are building community, which is unlike any other school in Albuquerque. Our students are encouraged to bring their cultural knowledge to school, rather than leaving it at the door.”

He believes the respectful atmosphere provides students with a sense of pride and belonging, which also affects the staff. Silva expresses pride in how the staff works well together. He says, “The staff is awesome. The school vision keeps us grounded.”

Silva’s own grounding comes from his connection to home and to his people. His clans are Road Runner and Little Oak. He honors his connection to the Laguna Pueblo by participating in ceremonies and dances that occur year around. He firmly believes that Laguna will always be his home, no matter where he lives.

This young Laguna teacher says people back home are often surprised when he tells them he’s a teacher. He says, “Most of the teachers in Laguna were the teachers when I was in school.” One can easily imagine that Silva’s former teachers are just as proud of him as he is of his young charges.

For information on the Native American Community Academy, visit www.nacaschool.org. Tina Deschenie (Diné/Hopi) is editor of the Tribal College Journal.