Kara Bobroff

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2005

Kara Bobroff

Native American Community Academy

http://www.nacaschool.org/

Tohatchi, New Mexico, United States

Education & Youth Leadership

The Bold Idea:

Creating a small 6-12 grade charter school that uses culturally-appropriate programs that focus on the success of the Native American population.

Urban schools educate more than half of all Native American students, yet a model focused on the success of this student population does not exist. NACA is one of the first urban schools dedicated to the achievement of Native American students. Nationwide, the high school drop out rate for Native American students is twice the national average and in New Mexico, Native American students score lower than any other ethnic group on standardized tests. In particular, the public schools in the Albuquerque area, a district of 80,000 students that includes approximately 5,000 Indian students, are in need of culturally appropriate programs to help its growing Native American population.

The Native American Community Academy (NACA) is a public charter school in Albuquerque, New Mexico for 6th to 12th grade students, in the heart of the Southeast Heights. NACA is an Albuquerque Public School and is free of charge.

The curricular framework for NACA blends an Integrated Curriculum, Wellness, Philosophy and Culture/Language context together to meet the over arching goal theme of “A commitment to community and service.” Programs and all curriculum include these three elements.

Biography:

Kara, who is from the Navajo/Sioux Nation, has experienced firsthand how some schools fail Native American children. She is a former principal of a middle school on a reservation as well as assistant principal of a California Distinguished school in San Rafael, California and originally a student, a teacher, and assistant principal in the Albuquerque Public School district.

Moment of Obligation: When and why did you decide to start your organization?
I didn't make this decision on the spur of the moment. In my first year teaching, I was asked to look ten years into my future as an educator. I knew then that I wanted to improve Native American education, but in the past 11 years, I've worked in very different schools and communities and I've had the chance to see how schools can change students' lives. My own experiences as a Native student and professional and Indian communities' visions for their children inspired my decision to begin the work for the Native American Community Academy.

Who do you look up to and why?
That's easy - my family. They have had an impact on who I am and what I believe in and have supported me in my journey as an educator and leader. My parents are dedicated life long public school educators. I have an extended family in mentors with whom I've connected along the way and who have helped me take my path. I look up the most to the students I've worked with recently on the Navajo Nation. They are true survivors.

A snapshot in ten years: What is your dream of what's happening? What impact has your organization had?
NACA has had the first successful graduating classes who have excelled in college and are becoming leaders in their communities. NACA has established a network of educators and community members that is invigorating Native education in New Mexico and the nation by developing schools that support students' academic and social/emotional success throughout their lives.

What's in your CD player right now?
It's a six disc changer - Indigo Girls, Green Day, Native Roots, Red Earth, Ozomatli, and Jack Johnson.

What are a few book recommendations (pleasure, work and anything in between)?
The Business of Fancy Dancing, The Long Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven and Just About Anything, all by Sherman Alexie, Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching by C. Danielson (ASCD Publication), Nothing's Impossible by Lorraine Monroe, Horace's Compromise by Ted Sizer, Savage Inequalities by Jonathon Kozol, Schools that Learn by Peter Senge, and Red Power by Alvin Joesphy Jr. (second ed. J. Nagel and R. Johnson).

What websites do you go to often (work and personal)?

• www.indianz.com
• www.nmped.org
• www.nytimes.com
• www.nativeamericancalling.com
• www.ces.org
• www.albjournal.com
• www.navajotimes.com
• www.indiancountry.com

Quick piece of advice for people starting social change organizations:
Go with your gut and what your heart tells you - your vision for change. Be organized, plan and assess your progress. Find those who share your dream and vision. Always remember who you are and what you are about; the rest will come with time. Life is sweet. Patience, perseverance, dedication, family, and good friends will see you through.