Meet the Team
Terrie Jo Gibbons |
Maurice Twiss |
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Terrie Jo Gibbons is devoted to the education of Native American youth. Ms. Gibbons is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe with a BS degree in Elementary Education, a Master's degree in Education Administration, and years of experience in school activity planning and grant writing, reporting, and evaluations. Terrie Jo has:
Personal Statement: I am a punctual and conscientious person, who strives for excellence in all aspects of my life. I am constantly pushing myself and working hard, to not only achieve and succeed in all I can, but also to ensure that the company or school district I work for succeeds to its’ potential. Ms. Gibbons is passionate about education and the projects and programs associated with the quality education of Native American students. Ms. Gibbons worked for Oglala Lakota County School District for 23 years as a Assistant Project Director. Ms. Gibbons has served on numerous education boards including the Nebraska Commission of Indian Affairs, and the SDABBE (South Dakota Asscociation of Bilingual and Bicultural Education) board. Some of the activities Ms. Gibbons has experience with are; Teacher training, conference coordinating, Federal and State Education grants, Art Instructor, Camp Coordinator for Reading, Science, Art, Reading, Culture, Dance, Language and Math Camp, Summer School planner and coordinator. Events Planning and organizing, Communicating with clients about the event and offering suggestions. Negotiating the type and costs of services to be provided, within budget. Consulting with management to ensure that adequate staff were available for duty and liaising with catering staff to plan the menu. Venue set up (décor, seating arrangements). Collecting and analyzing data associated with projects undertaken, and reporting on project outcomes. Finding solutions to problems concerning services or programs provided, or people affected. Advising senior management on matters requiring their attention and implementing their decision. Reviewing developing administrative systems and procedures. References for Ms. Gibbons: John Forkenbrock, Executive Director-National Association of Federally Impacted Schools. (NAFIS) Brent Gish-Red Lake High School Principal-Red Lake MN Dr. Margo Heinert-SD State Department Consultant Keith Moore-Director of Bureau of Indian Education Dr. Leonard Little Finger-National Speaker, respected elder, founder of the “Sacred Circle School”, Teacher of Language and Culture. |
Maurice Twiss is dedicated to the progressive development of the Pine Ridge Indian community through educational process and success. He believes in providing a culturally based educational and personal support program for Native American youth. Amalgamating the two streams of education, Western and Traditional, is integral to the success of Native youth in mainstream society. Both systems are viewed as necessary assets to advance as healthy individuals, communities, and nations.
Mr. Twiss is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe with a BS in Business Education and a Masters Degree in Elementary Psychology. Mr. Twiss has 50+ years of continuous employment in education, 37 years at Oglala Lakota County School District. Some of his most notable accomplishments are helping over 125 local residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation receive BS degrees in Elementary Education, helping 75 people receive MS degrees in Education, 30 years of coordinated the Pine Ridge Reservation Rodeo School, 37 years of Program development for students on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and he has served on numerous educational committees and boards on the local, state, and national levels. Mr. Twiss is no stranger to education and educational facilities. He has been Facilities, Transportation, and Maintenance Director for Shannon County School District for several years and coordinated and overseen the planning and construction at all four Shannon County School sites. Mr. Twiss is also Grant Facilitator for SCSD and has held that position for 37 years. Mr. Twiss started, and has been planner for, the Lakota Nation Education Conference and the SDABBE conference for 40 years. During those years, the Lakota Nation Education conference has grown from 200 attendees to 1200 attendees, and is the largest educational conference in the four state area. Some of the special areas of expertise for Mr. Twiss include Program Development, Proposal Writing, Curriculum and Education, Bilingual Bicultural Education, Federal Programs, Impact Aid, and Coordination of Program and Projects. References for Mr. Twiss: John Forkenbrock, Executive Director-National Association of Federally Impacted Schools. (NAFIS) Brent Gish-Red Lake High School Principal-Red Lake MN Dr. Margo Heinert-SD State Department Consultant Keith Moore-Director of Bureau of Indian Education Dr. Leonard Little Finger-National Speaker, respected elder, founder of the “Sacred Circle School”, Teacher of Language and Culture. |