Over the last few weeks, St. Joseph’s campus has been noisy with construction. But campus has begun to ring with a new and happy noise… The noise of students returning to campus!! I had the opportunity to visit many of the students I work with over the summer and most of them are ready to come back to campus and go back to school. What a great thing to hear! The students are excited to return and staff is just as excited to see them.
I have worked at St. Joseph’s Indian School for close to 11 years. I have often been asked “What brought you to St. Joseph’s Indian School?” or “Why have you stayed at St. Joseph’s Indian School?” The answer is really pretty simple. I came to St. Joseph’s Indian School because I was excited about the opportunity to work with Native American youth. I have worked with kids since I was in college and that is where I found my niche. I love working with kids. So the opportunity to work with Native American youth was something I just could not pass up.
Why have I stayed? Well, that answer is pretty simple too. What brings me back to St. Joseph’s Indian School, as well as most staff you will ask, year after year, is the students and the families I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with. I have the opportunity, each year, to work with some of the greatest kids on the planet. They are creative, fun, out-going, resilient and all around good kids.
I grew up in a wonderful environment and I feel God has called me to help be a part of the great environment we offer the students and families we work with here at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Every day is not great, sometimes our students struggle, but being able to be a positive role model and helper for our students and families, humbles and honors me.
As we come to the close of summer, I would ask for prayers for our students and their families, as well as the staff of St. Joseph’s Indian School, as we return to school. We will all keep you in our thoughts and prayers as well! Have a wonderful rest of the summer and if you are ever in the area, stop by and say hello!
Julie
Family Service Counselor
