In more ways than one, Patricia Walking Eagle’s life has been dedicated to stretching the brain, reaching out and achieving potential.
With a lot on her plate, including a husband and three children, she made the bold decision to go back to school and complete her college degree. “It was not an easy road to follow as my family was still young but in spite of this hardship I kept on going until my degree was completed and I finished cum laude,” she stated.
Her determination continues today as she strives to be the best administrator possible in her role as elementary principal of Tate Topa Tribal School in Fort Totten, N.D. Admittedly, it is a challenge, but Walking Eagle’s eyes are set on helping her students and faculty progress. “If my school can meet the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) and maintain over time, it would be great. This record would mean that children in my school would be successful academic learners. What a nice thought and way to end my career,” Walking Eagle said.
Educating others’ children is her career passion. Her own children are her heart. “Being a parent is not always easy,” she said, “and there is no magical menu to communicate and understand all the developmental stages they go through on their way to becoming adults.” All three of Walking Eagle’s children hold degrees in business and education – she hopes her own example of pursuing a degree helped them reach their dreams.
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