Teachers and Technology

We are dedicated teachers working together to learn how to utilize technology in our work. We are spending our Xmas holiday integraing it into classroom management, organization, and students assignments and projects. Programs included Microsoft Word, Excel, digitally animated PowerPoint Presentations, education utilizing Internet interactive learning programs, and online teacher resources. Student teachers created electronic Portfolios with hyperlinks to Internet for their career development in the Department of Education for Oglala Lakota College. Gwen Foote is the instructor for this "Teachers and Technology" course. We would like to thank Pejuta Haka College Center for allowing us to use their computer facilities during this course.

Major John T Foote (ret.)

Children say "goodbye for now " to their loving father.
John T. Foote
Born on Sep. 28, 1917
Departed on Dec. 12, 2005
Memorial Service: Monday Dec. 19, 2005 .

Major John Thurman Foote, Sr., 88, died December 13th, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas.
Born September 28th, 1917, in Turnersville, Texas, Major Foote's favorite pasttime, after a full was his hometown farm where he grew cotton, maize and raised animals.


Major Foote was a Commander Pilot in the United States Army Air Corp and Air Force for 24 years. He flew in World War II, Korean War, and post war stabilization. He was a Master Mason, member of the Scottish Rite, and the Alzafar Shrine.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Dorothy and son, James Robert Foote; his sister Sylvia and two brothers, Theodore and Richard also preceded him in death. Major Foote lived the last few years with his daughter and son in law, Greg and Barbara JoAnn Boyd in Devine, Texas. He is survived by his only living brother, Frederick Foote III, of Euless, Texas and four children, Barbara JoAnn and Greg Boyd of Devine, Texas, John Thurman Foote, Jr. of Saudia Arabia, Gwendolyn Sue Foote of South Dakota, and Patricia Darlene Foote of Cambodia. Major Foote is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Tanya Marie and Brian Rickard, Angela Kristine Fernandez, Danny Roger Lawless, II, Tracey Danese and Brent Baldwin, Shawn Robert and Madeleine Scarbrough, Leslie Fallon Boyd, Casey and Claude Leach, and three great- grandchildren, Austin David Fernandez, Jonathan Logan Lawless, and Nicolette Faith Scarbrough.He lived a full rich life and his family loved and nurtured every minute they had with this wonderful, fun, and knowledgeable father and grandfather. A Memorial Service is planned for 2:15 pm Monday, December 19th at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.To leave a note for the family, go to meadowlawn.net and Select Obituaries. Arrangements by Meadowlawn and American Mortuary. 210 661 3991.

Dad advised his children and lived by this advice:
"Never turn down an adventure and enjoy life.
Stand by family and always be kind and considerate of others.
Live your life as best you can."

Remembering 2004 Christmas/New Year's Eve Holiday

Remembering last year and
Welcoming in 2005 in New York City,
I still cherish the 2004 Christmas Season -11 months later,again.

Cruisin’ Central Park After Christmas Day

A teacher's educational adventure: Christmas Season in Manhattan

Ground Zero (Prior location of the Twin Towers) as a powerful, emotional visit.

I stayed at Times Square for most of my visit.
My hotel and great shopping and eating was terrific.
Planet Hollywood had a great New Year’s Eve Party and I met some new great friends.
Shari and I found out later that we are blood cousins and this evolved in a Panama cruise with Shari and her mom, Sue. Mel is an Olympic Swimmer for England in for the weekend with her trainer, Kati.

Manhattan New Year's Eve was memorable and exciting!
Everyone should experience it at least once!

Thank You to Our Parents & Children

Thank You
-Gwen Foote

Thank you, Dad and Mom for giving me
life and many things I needed to survive and thrive in this world.

You didn’t have much growing up, poor.
You always taught us family came first.
In a very large family of brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

My parents gave us more than material items.
They gave us teachings.

They taught us skills and strategies, growing and dealing in life.
They loved us, --even if they didn’t always say it.
They taught us to believe in ourselves.
-empowered us,
-to follow our dreams and ambitions.
-to raise our children
They instilled in us, traditions and values
-to better our own lives
-to pursue our destiny
-to touch others in a positive way
-to affect the world hopefully improving our little corner of it.

Children now have a difficult path to follow.

I have tremendous respect for the children growing up in the world today.

Children each go through their own hell.
Growing, hopefully developing into adults.

I hope I pass on a little of what my parents gave to me-
A way of surviving and thriving in their own lives
To pursue their dreams and ambitions to:
Achieve each of their destinies
Raise their children
Leave this world a little better, at least our corner of it.

We owe our children.
Our own, and those we teach.

We owe it to them and need to
Believe in them, and teach them
values of tradition, by living it ourselves, in truth.

Reading, writing and the abilities in academics is important,
But we also owe it to them
To learn Compassion, integrity, generosity, understanding, courage
So they may achieve their own wisdom.

Many children today grow up touched by alcoholism, drug abuse, and forms of abuse
Lost in the chaos of the world
In our own adult dramas and traumas.
Some have no mother or father or both, maybe lucky enough to have grandparents.

I hope I touch the lives of children; to teach in the way I live and interact with them.

Every day is a lesson and how I walk my path, I do so to reach my destiny.

I hope I affect my students by my dedication to them.
To show them compassion, understanding, patience, hope, happiness, and love
And how they can find their own in their hearts and lives.

They have a difficult road ahead of them in this world today.

I hope I may empower them, to follow their dreams and ambitions
To become who they are and all they can be;
To love and laugh with each other.

I owe it to them.
We owe it to them.
As family, teachers, adults in this world.

We are their care givers and they need to be cared for and about,
To believe in themselves, to be able to pursue their happiness and destiny.
To raise their own children, with discipline and love
Whether through blood, students, or Human Beings touching each others’ lives.

We owe it to these children to love, understand, empower, and believe in them.

I hope I have affected them, and continue to, in a way to help them as Human Beings
To find in themselves, their strength, courage, and wisdom.
As they are so much more them I am or ever can be.

We owe it to them because,
Children should come first and always.

Without them, we are nothing.

Thank you .

"Who's Who of American Women"

Gwendolyn Foote-

honored to be published Marquis

“Who’s Who of American Women” 2006-7
Silver 25th Edition

Gwen Foote Teaches at Oglala Lakota College

September 2005
I received a certification for Special Education K-12, completing Gifted and Talented endorsement from University of South Dakota this next year. I have taught as a certified teacher with a degree in Elementary Education on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation for 5 years.

As Equinox approaches, I am enjoying teaching college for Oglala Lakota College. I am on the faculty for the Department of Education instructing courses in child development and methods of teaching math /science.
Below (l to r) is a former student of mine, Jasmine, Mary Anne Stoutsenberger of NASA education department (who also works with NASA "SHARP" Program), & me, Gwen Foote. Mary Anne was great moral support for my graduation and received a star quilt, a traditional thank you gift.





Oglala Lakota College provides it's residents opportunities of higher education in a variety of fields. This was the first year with graduates from TV Production department.
Cmdr John Herrington (Chickasaw Native & first Native American to travel in space) spoke as keynote speaker for this year's ceremonies. The ceremony was held on traditional PowWow grounds, with teepee, to honor Lakota Culture.
I am grateful to be able to give back to OLC for it's inspiration and educational expertise to allow me to teach the children here.
Pilamaya.

Alta Ha Monument & Belize Rain Forest

Belize, Mexico; August 2005
Our Cruise finished with an excursion of Belize.
My sister, Jo Ann and I tour a river boat ride through part of the rain forest terrain to a little village in Belize. The local natives were pleasant and helpful in our exploration. We saw iguanas, crocodiles, monkeys, and bats. It was tranquil and inspiring.

Our guide Gus was Mayan himself. Gus informed us of the living conditions of his people. Belize enforces the rule of all children going to school. They have about a 95% literacy rate. Children go off to college in other countries. The children are multilingual, speaking Mexican, English, and their native language Mayan. While it might be termed a brain drain on the country, they have many come home with something to offer as contributing citizens. There are also many who come to Belize to live. Belize seems to be a multicultural country and are proud to be many colors of people. You can't tell a native by the color of their skin. They range from very light to dark but are all Belizian first. The children were well mannered and very impressive. Was it a beautiful exciting experience? As they say in Belize, "you better belize it!"

The protected area of the ancient village of Alta Ha was spiritual and awesome. It consisted of several monuments and buildings in a spatial design creating 2 quadrantal court areas. It is located inland from the Belize coast.






I got to climb the excavated monument of Alta Ha. The burial sites were untouched while the living areas gave an enlightened view of the living habits of the ancients.






Last day of the cruise, Hurricane Katrina paralleled us as we headed north to the states. We caught some rain and saw thunder storms to the east of us.
We docked at Galveston about the time Hurrican Katrina came inland, so all ships on course to Florida and Louisiana docked at Galveston, too. It was a busy day Sunday.

A Cruise with my sister and friend of many years!

September 2, 2005
In August, my sister Jo Ann, and I went on a cruise to the Yucatan Peninsula to experience coral reefs, ancient Mayan Pyramids, Central American lifestyle, and (of course) enjoy the cruise ship atmosphere and food, and almost rubbed elbows with Hurricane Katrina. We could see the edge of the hurricane with thunder and lightening just to the east of the ship.





It was an experience that we both enjoyed and will remember. We docked about the time Hurricane Katrina hit shore just east of us.





We also met some great new friends and participated in shore excursions including submarine dives.












Snorkeling and Cozumel Beach were relaxing adventures in the holiday cruise.


It’s great to have sisters that you’re best friend with after __ years and I have 2, my younger and older. Darlene & I graduated from Gatesville High School, 1971 & 1975.

Cruise to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico Proves Educational

August 22, 2005

Chichen Itza is the origin of the Mayan calendar almost 4,000 years ago. The number zero came from Chichen Itza pyramid. The monument has 91 steps on 4 sides totaling 354. With the last single step on top, the total is 365 days for the year in one solar year cycle. The lunar cyle is symbolized by 9 larger steps. On the equinox, an image of a serpent's shadow illuminates on lenght of the pyramid steps. Next equinox is Septmber 2005 .



My sister, Jo Ann Boyd, and I went to The Yucatan Peninsula to see what we could see.
We climbed Chichen Itza Monument Pyramid near Progresso (North side of the peninsula). This autumn equinox will be the last time anyone will be allowed to climb this ancient Mayan site. We were guided by Mayans and even learned s few Mayan words.

It was very hot, wet, sweat pouring off every one.
It's amazing to think people could perform hard labor in sweltering weather as this.

This fall equinox, 2005, will be the last time anyone will be able to climb Chichen Itza. It will be protected for the sacred site and monument it is.

There is a prophecy of the Mayans of 2012, which is subject of interpretation and translation.

Their hieroglyphics include the snake, feathered eagle, and jaguar.
Quetzecoatal, a native god, is represented by these animals.
The calendar is based on the sun, with 365 days in the year, and the moon, of 28 days in the lunar cycle.


There were iguanas and native birds throughout the area. The government is making great efforts to excavate these pyramids in this area, working with National Geographic Society. These monuments made up a tremendous city headed by Montezuma.

Reservation Students Learn Through Environmental Science Field Trips & Technology

Students benefit from active hands on learning projects with the help of Toshiba.

May 25, 2005
Press Release: Students learn about their home through technology and field research. This spring, students of Little Wound School learned how to use GPS (Global Positioning Systems) with satellite triangulation, with the help of Toshiba Company. Gwen Foote worked with Toshiba representatives. A lesson module written by Gwen Foote was implemented when she wrote a grant request to Toshiba and was awarded funding to assist in the Module of Wildlife Management and Location through with GPS.

Gwen Foote, TAG Instructor/ Grant Writer, took students in collaborative groups on a field study to Kyle Dam, on Pine Ridge Reservation. Sixth graders mentored and helped younger students in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade learn about navigation with compasses and GPS handheld equipment.

They had prepared for this field study after several classes of math activities in the TAG classroom and Math Meets, Lakol Wowiyukcan (Lakota: Math Thought Process), a teachers’ collaboration project with hands on active learning centers. Teachers Reva High Horse, Val Charging Eagle, Gwen Foote, and ISD Theresa Mendoza volunteered their time and materials for students to participate in a math competition/ festival.

Lessons are integrated in a Module that focusing on Science, Math, and Presentations with Technology with collaborative, cooperative learning groups, older classes mentoring younger classes. Field Practice takes place at Kyle Dam a short distance form Little Wound School in Kyle, SD Curriculum Module written by Gwen Foote. Grades 1-6 work in the field as mentors and collaborators in data collection for analysis and interpretation through computer technology for presentations.
Gwen Foote wrote the grant awarded to Little Wound School from NASA. This is a whole school approach in bringing NASA programs to the students and helping teachers with professional development through NASA.




Display Presentation by 6th Graders of GPS Location through Triangulation at INMED Science Fair.
(Joseph Rosales &

Jason Feather Earring Jr.)