Dr. Scott
Simpson
Manager, TIE Culture, Climate & Courage Team
Scott's Bio:
Before joining the TIE team as a Learning Specialist in 2008, Scott spent 6 years as a high school English, drama and speech teacher in Texas, Nebraska and Colorado, and taught 10 years as a full time English, theatre and language arts Education professor at York College (Nebraska), Black Hills State University, and Abilene Christian University. He holds an M.A. in English Curriculum and Instruction and a Ph.D. in English Creative Writing, both from the University of Nebraska– Lincoln. He also spent about 3 years as the Executive Director of a youth and family camp in the Rockies of Northern New Mexico. Scott is a published poet, writer, songwriter and indie music producer and does most of his best creating and thinking while hiking Black Hills trails with his wife Sheryl and their dogs Gandi, Gilly, Ellie and Oscar.
AI-Generated Bio Options: (Generate your own fun at Chat GPT)
Hillbilly
Well, afore Scott wrangled hisself into the TIE team back in '08, he was a teachin' feller for a good spell. Six years he spent moldin' young minds in English, drama, and speech down in Texas, Nebraska, and Colorado. Then, he up and became a full-time learnin' professor, y'see, teachin' English, theater, and language arts for a whole decade at places like York College in Nebraska, Black Hills State University, and Abilene Christian University.
Now, don't go thinkin' Scott's just a bookworm. Nope, he's got himself a fancy M.A. in English Curriculum and Instruction and even fancier, a Ph.D. in English Creative Writin' – both earned down in the heart of Nebraska at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. But that ain't all, no sir. Fer 'bout three years, he was the big shot runnin' a youth and family camp up in them Rockies of Northern New Mexico.
And if that ain't enough, Scott's got a knack for puttin' words together. He's a published poet, writer, songwriter, and even a producer of indie music. Now, where does all this creatin' happen, you ask? Well, reckon he does most of his best thinkin' and creatin' while traipsin' along them Black Hills trails, alongside his missus Sheryl and their pack of dogs – Gandi, Gilly, Ellie, and Oscar. Yep, Scott's a man of the hills, y'all.
Shakespearian
Ere Scott did join yon TIE team, as Learning Specialist, in two thousand and eight, he dwelt six winters instructing the minds of youth in high school realms. In Texas, Nebraska, and Colorado's embrace, he spread the light of English, drama, and speech.
A decade prior, he hath graced the halls of learning as a professor profound, imparting knowledge in English, theatre, and the arts of language at York College in Nebraska, Black Hills State University, and Abilene Christian University. Anon, he did transition into this role full-time.
His scholarly pursuits, not to be slighted, yielded an M.A. in English Curriculum and Instruction, and a lofty Ph.D. in English Creative Writing – both bestowed upon him by the venerable University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Yet, diverse hath been his journey, for a triad of years he bore the mantle of Executive Director, guiding a haven for youth and kin in the Rockies of Northern New Mexico.
Not confined to academic tomes, this sage hath also woven verses, essays, and melodies into the fabric of publication. A poet, a writer, a minstrel, and an artisan of indie music, his creativity doth find its zenith whilst traversing the trails of Black Hills, accompanied by his spouse Sheryl and a quartet of loyal hounds – Gandi, Gilly, Ellie, and Oscar.
Nursery Rhyme
Once upon a time, in two thousand and eight,
Scott joined the TIE team, oh, don't you wait!
Six years he spent in schools so grand,
Teaching English, drama, and speech across the land.
A professor he became, wise and true,
In Nebraska, Texas, and Colorado too.
Ten years passed with lessons to share,
At York College and places beyond compare.
M.A. and Ph.D., his degrees so bright,
From the University of Nebraska, a scholarly sight.
Then off he went to the Rockies so high,
Leading a camp for youth 'neath the vast sky.
A poet, a writer, and songs did he make,
In the world of words, his dreams did awake.
With Sheryl by his side, and dogs in tow,
They hiked the Black Hills, to creativity's flow.
Gandi, Gilly, Ellie, and Oscar, a merry crew,
Joining Scott and Sheryl in adventures anew.
So let this rhyme tell, in a sweet refrain,
Of Scott's journey, where knowledge and joy remain.
Current Work Projects
Responsive Practices for All Students Learning Pathway (collaboration with NDDPI in Bismarck, ND)
Blue Deer Learning (collaboration with TAMIU in Laredo, TX)
Humanity: Human Shaped Learning (video podcast)
Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings (South Dakota)
Candidate Support Provider, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (SD, ND, MT, WY)
Expertise
School and Organization Culture and Climate
Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Administrator
Culturally Responsive Teaching
Civil Discourse / South Dakota Humanities Scholar
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Candidate Support
Essential Understandings Development
Circle of Trust Facilitation
Video Interviewing
Videography / Documentary Film Development
Website Building & Maintenance
Language Arts / Writing Instruction
Music Composition / Production
Songwriting / Creative Writing
Relational Trust Building
Intrinsic Motivation
Important Web Links:
Recent Presentations:
See links below in Calendar of Work
Calendar of Work
2023
November 27-28: Bismarck Executive Team Learning Pathway second seminar, Bismarck, ND
November 14: NDNAEU Project Overview (virtual), NDDPI All-Staff Meeting
November 9: NDNAEU Presentation (virtual), University of Jamestown Pre-Service teachers
November 6-7: Bismarck Executive Team Learning Pathway second seminar, Bismarck, ND
October 30-31: Bismarck Executive Team Learning Pathway first seminar, Bismarck, ND
October 6-8: Facilitated Rising Families Fall Seasonal Retreat, Placerville Camp
September 28-29: Teachings of Our Elders Presentation, North Dakota Association of Lifelong Learners
September 25-27: Video work, Presentation and Consultation, USPPS National Indian Country Steering Committee
September 20-22: Facilitated SD JAG Retreat, Placerville Camp
September 5-7: Learning Pathway presentation at UTTC Conference, Bismarck, ND
August 21-22: University of Wyoming Lab School All Staff beginning of the year Retreat
August 18: Presentation, Listening with Curiosity, for Path2Impact Cohort, Lead, SD
August 16: Wisdom of Our Elders interview with Prairie Public Radio
August 3-4: Learning Pathway ASBSD Joint Convention, Sioux Falls, SD
August 2: Pathway Presentation, ND Drilldown Conference, Bismarck, ND
July 31- August 1: NDNAEU Presentation, ND Geographic Alliance Workshop, Bismarck, ND
July 30-31: Bismarck Team of Champions Culture Team Cohort (Seminars)
July 17-18: Bismarck Team of Champions Culture Team Cohort (Seminars)
July 5-7: NDNAEU Resources Keynote, ND Indian Education Summit
July 5-7: Pathway Presentation, ND Indian Education Summit
June 25-28: NDNAEU & Teachings of Our Elders Keynote, BPS Indian Education Mini-Summit
June 25-28: Lakota Virtues Intercultural Presentation, BPS Indian Education Mini-Summit
June 21-23: Bismarck Team of Champions Culture Team Cohort (Seminars)
June 14-15: Facilitated University of Wyoming Lab School's Leadership Retreat
May 23: OSEU Presentation for Kadoka afterschool program educators
May 4: "Fire" activity for BHSSC Leadership Cohort, Deadwood, SD
April 26-28: Bismarck Team of Champions Culture Team Cohort (Seminars 1 & 2)
April 23-25: Responsive Practices for All Learning Learning Pathway, TIE Conference
April 10-12: SD Courage to Lead for Families Leadership Planning Retreat
March 27-30: Classroom Coaching, Turtle Mountain Middle School
March 22-24: Thought Partners "Think-Tank" (CircleBridge development) Placerville Camp
March 16-18: Turtle Mountain Middle School Learning Pathway Seminar 5
March 15: Virtual Presentation on Assessment Systems in Indigenous Contexts for REL Pacific
March 14-15: NDNAEU Presentation for ND Department of Corrections
March 6-7: Learning Pathway presentation, Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity, Honolulu
February 16-18: Turtle Mountain Middle School Learning Pathway Seminar 4
January 20-22: Facilitation of Black Hills Playhouse staff retreat on IDI, Circles of Trust and Relational Trust Building
January 18-19: Presentation, Creating a Classroom Culture of Learning, Standing Rock Schools
2022
December 19-20: Facilitation of Lakota Circles of Hope Native American Advisory Board revisions of curriculum
December 6-10: Video Work on Teacher Training Pathway at TAMIU in Laredo, TX
November 15-16: Facilitation of Lakota Circles of Hope Native American Advisory Board revisions of curriculum
November 12: Panel Members for the 13th Annual ND Human Rights Summit
November 2-3: Learning Pathway Presentation, ND Secondary Interagency Transition Conference
October 31: Presentation on NDNAEU and Culturally Responsive Practices, Virtual, Dickenson State University pre-service teachers
October 28-30: Turtle Mountain Middle School Learning Pathway Seminar 3
October 25-26: Facilitation of Lakota Circles of Hope Native American Advisory Board revisions of curriculum
October 11-13: Presentation on Learning Pathway at Cognia Conference, Bismarck, ND
October 5-8: Presentation on the Learning Pathway at NIEA in Oklahoma City
October 2-3: Presentation on NDNAEU to Grand Forks Social Studies Teachers
September 30- October 1: Turtle Mountain Middle School Learning Pathway Seminar 2
September 21: OSEU Presentation at SD JAG Retreat at Placerville Camp
September 12-21: Facilitation of Lakota Circles of Hope Native American Advisory Board revisions of curriculum
September 7: Presentation on the NDNAEU, ND Department of Corrections Probation Officers
September 6,7: Learning Pathway, UTTC Tribal Leaders Summit
August 17: Culturally Responsive Practices presentation, Fort Yates, ND
August 17: ND PreK-12 Steering Committee Presentation - Bismarck, ND
August 15-16: Seminar #1 Turtle Mountain Middle School Team of Champions - Belcourt, ND
August 11: Work with ND Engineering Teachers - Devil's Lake, ND
August 11: Culturally Responsive Practices Zoom Presentation for Timberlake School District
August 10: Responsive Practices for All Pathway pres. for ND School Leaders Drill Down Conference - Bismarck, ND
August 8: Interview with Duane Hollow Horn Bear at Placerville Camp
August 2-4: Wyoming Native American Education Conference presentation - Riverton, WY
July 6-7: Turtle Mountain Responsive Practices for All Students Panel Presentation and Break-out Session at the ND Indian Education Summit - Bismarck, ND
June 13-15: Work with Mandan Team of Champions - Mandan, ND
May 19-21: Turtle Mountain Team of Champions Seminar Day #5 - Belcourt, ND
May 16: Timberlake School District Cultural Awareness Presentation, Zoom
May 1-3: Lakota & Dakota Elder video interviews, Placerville Camp
April 29: IDM Lesson Planning training, McIntosh, SD
April 25-28: Classroom Coaching, Turtle Mountain Schools- Belcourt, ND
April 22: Wolakota Project Zoom Presentation for Oglala Lakota College
April 8: Turtle Mountain Team of Champions Seminar Day #4 - Belcourt, ND
April 6-7: NDSU, NDNAEU Faculty Training- Fargo, ND
April 4-5: TIE Conference Presentations - Sioux Falls, SD
March 30: Douglas Middle School OSEU Presentations - Box Elder, SD
March 22: Spring Creek Elementary Staff Retreat - Laramie, WY
March 18: Lone Man School Culture Teachers OSEU Support - Oglala, SD
March 11: Turtle Mountain Team of Champions Seminar Day #3 - Belcourt, ND
March 4: Lone Man School Culture Teachers OSEU Support - Oglala, SD
February 25: Turtle Mountain Team of Champions Seminar Day #2 - Belcourt, ND
February 18: Spearfish School District Professional Development Day Presentation - Spearfish, SD
February 9-11: JAG Retreat at Broom Tree Retreat Center, Irene, SD
January 21: Turtle Mountain Team of Champions Kick-off Seminar Day - Belcourt, ND
January 14: Timberlake School District Cultural Awareness Presentation, Zoom
January 3-6: Presenting The Champion Pathway at Hawaii International Conference on Education, Kona, HI
2021
December 12-17: Video Work with Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Education Department, Laredo, TX
December 7-8: Work with Lone Man School Culture Teachers
November 13: Work with Lone Man School Culture Teachers
November 10: Virtual Imagi-Nation TV Alliance partner CEO episode
November 9: TIE Staff Intercultural Agility Presentation
October 29- NDSU Meetings
October 24-26: Retreat for SD JAG Teachers
October 6-8: Team of Champions initial meeting at Turtle Mountain
September 29: ND Learning Principles Presentation for Engineering Teachers in North Dakota
September 26-27: 2021 Wookiye Retreat & Training
September 20-22: ND Cognia Conference Presentation
September 18: Lindsay Unified School District Culturally Responsive Pathway Seminar Four
September 9: OSEU Training, CFS Division
September 3: Timberlake School District Cultural Awareness Presentation, Zoom
August 23- September 1: IDI Debriefs, Bismarck Team of Champions & CFS Division
August 15-16: McIntosh OSEU & Culturally Responsive Practices Training
August 11-13: Todd County District, OSEU & Culturally Responsive Practices Training
August 6: SD Joint Convention Breakout Champion Pathway Presentation, Sioux Falls, SD
August 5: Lindsay Unified School District Certificated Staff Keynote (virtual) Finding Our Fire
August 5: ND Administrators Conference Presentation, Bismarck, ND
August 2-3: Lindsay Unified School District Culturally Responsive Pathway Seminars Two & Three
July 27-29: Cultural Heritage Center Summer Institute
July 19-22: Lindsay Unified School District Leadership Summit, Oxnard, CA
July 15-16: ND Indian Education Summit Keynote Panel & Breakout on NEW ND Learning Principles
June 23 - July 9: IDI debriefs for Lindsay Unified School District & Bismarck Team of Champions
June 21-22: Team of Champions in Bismarck
June 18: Lindsay Unified School District Culturally Responsive Pathway Training Seminar One
June 16: NESC / UND Culturally Responsive Teaching Training for Engineering Teachers
June 15: Deadwood Principals Conference, Culturally Responsive Practices
June 4: ND Learning Principles Workgroup Meeting, Bismarck, ND
May 26: Todd County High School OSEU Training
May 25: Virtual NDNAEU FCW Spring Development with NDSU
May 20: In-person video interviews for ND Learning Principles
May 18: Virtual ND Learning Principles Workgroup Meeting
May 7: NDNAEU Overview with NDSU Faculty
May 7: Culturally Responsive Practices CFS Division of BHSSC
May 3: Virtual NDNAEU training, Minot, ND
April 23: Virtual Wolakota Project Overview, Oglala Lakota College
April 18: TIE Conference, Green Siblings Project Documentary Screening & Panel Discussion
April 14: In-person NDNAEU North Dakota Learning Principles Writing Gathering with Elders, Bismarck, ND
April 8: Culturally Responsive Practices & Lesson Development at St. Francis School
April 1: Culturally Responsive Practices with Rosebud Elementary
March 1: Virtual NDNAEU North Dakota Learning Principles Writing Gathering with Elders
March 1 through 26: IDI individual debriefs with TIE & EWD staff members
February 24: Virtual Green Siblings Project Film Screening & Panel, Arkansas Peace & Justice Memorial Movement (APJMM)
February 23: Virtual Organizational Intercultural Development Inventory debrief with Education & Workforce Development Division of BHSSC
February 20: Virtual Culturally Responsive Practice Studio with Lindsay Unified School District
February 18th: Virtual Organizational Intercultural Development Inventory debrief with Education & Workforce Development Division of BHSSC
February 12: Virtual OSEU Overview, St. Francis School
February 1: SDPB Interview about Green Siblings Project
2020
December 11: Virtual NDNAEU Training, Bismarck Public Schools
November 24: Virtual Presentation on OSEU for Tribal Education Directors
November 23: Rosebud Elementary OSEU Overview
October 26: Bismarck Team of Champions Meeting in Bismarck, ND
September 28: South Central HS NDNAEU Training in Bismarck, ND
September 21: ND Conference Presentation
September 8: NDCEL Presentation
August 24: Leading Together In-Service in Wall, SD
August 10: Virtual Presentation on ND NDNAEU Work at the South Dakota Indian Education Virtual Summit
August 6-7: Virtual Woókiye Teacher Mentor Training
August 6: Virtual Presentation for the ASBSD Joint Convention on Culturally Responsive Practices and Being Human
August 5: Virtual Presentation for the NDDPI School Administrators Conference
August 3: Virtual OSEU and Culturally Responsive Practices Presentation for the Summit School District
July 13-17: Virtual Work Week for the ND Team of Champions Striving Readers Grant
July 6: Virtual SDCTE Presentation on the OSEU and English Language Arts
June 30: Woókiye Teacher OSEU Course - Meeting 3
June 23: Woókiye Teacher OSEU Course - Meeting 2
June 16: Woókiye Teacher OSEU Course - Meeting 1
June 1: Bush Virtual Conference Presentation on North Dakota NDNAEU Work and Community Conversations
May 26: Team of Champions Virtual Gathering - Meeting 3
May 19: Team of Champions Virtual Gathering - Meeting 2
May 6: Team of Champions Virtual Gathering - Meeting 1
April 20: "Being Human" Keynote at the 2020 Virtual TIE Conference
March 2: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards webinar on Circles of Trust
Feb 29-Mar 2: BranchED AACTE Conference and Brain Trust gathering in Atlanta, GA
Feb 18: Culturally Responsive Practice & the NDNAEU Part 1, South Central HS, Bismarck, ND
Feb 14: Being Culturally Responsive ND State XCL Training, Bismarck, ND
Jan 17: Pine Ridge Schools, Leading Together, Handout Pine Ridge, SD
2019
Nov 1: Dunseith High School Presentation Handouts, Dunseith, ND
Oct 18: NDCEL Presentation Handouts, Bismarck, SD
Oct 17: North Dakota Studies Presentation Handouts, Bismarck, ND
Oct 11: NDNAEU Community Conversations on Teachings of Our Elders, Bismarck, SD
Oct 9-11: 2019 North Dakota Educators' Conference, Handouts Bismarck, ND
October 1: National Board Presentation at Pine Ridge School - BIE NBPTS Info Form
Sept 22-24: South Dakota Indian Education Summit, Handouts Pierre, SD
Sept 19: Turtle Mountain Community College, Handouts Belcourt, ND
Sept 13-15: National Board Leadership Retreat, Placerville Camp, SD
Sept 3: UTTC Tribal Leaders Conference, Bismarck, ND
August 21: Leading Together, Todd County Schools, Mission, SD
August 20: OSEU and Culturally Responsive Practices, Timber Lake, SD
August 13: Newtown, ND Inservice
August 7-8: Wyoming Native American Education Conference, Riverton, WY
July 11-12: NDNAEU: Creating a Culturally Responsive Learning Environment through Elder Wisdom, Handouts NDIES, Bismarck, ND
June 11-12: Meetings with Wyoming Tribal Leaders, Wind River Reservation, WY
June 10, 2019: Todd County Culturally Responsive Practice & the OSEU Training, Mission, SD
May 30 -June 1: WoLakota Project Mentoring Circle Summer Retreat, Placerville Camp, SD
May 15-17: Culturally Responsive NDNAEU Classroom Modeling,1st Grade & 4th Grade, Bismarck, ND
April 24, 2019: Grades 3-5 OSEU Training & Handouts, TIE, Rapid City, SD
April 9, 2019: TIE Conference, WoLakota Project & Culturally Responsive Practice, Rapid City
April 8, 2019: TIE Conference, Green Siblings Project Presentation, Rapid City, SD
April 7, 2019: South Park UCC, Green Siblings Project Presentation, Rapid City, SD
March 19, 2019: Wyoming Indian Education Professional Development Day, Lander, WY
February 26, 2019: Culture in the Classroom: Cultivating Traditional Knowledge in Education, Pierre, SD
February 19-20, 2019: Bismarck Schools, Culturally Responsive Teaching and the NDNAEU
February 7, 2019: Wyoming Education Department Meeting on Culturally Responsive Teaching & Essential Understandings
January 29, 2019: Indigenous Cultures & Perspectives Within the 4th Grade SD Standards training & Handouts
January 18, 2019: Cultural Reconnection Through Story Presentation at the SD State Penitentiary
2018
December 12: Culturally Responsive Classroom Practices & Indigenous Essential Understandings training & Handouts
December 3 & 5: Indigenous Cultures & Perspectives Within the 4th Grade SD Standards training & Handouts
November 20: TIE Staff Meeting Equity in Learning? Presentation and Handouts
November 7-9: Wyoming Innovations in Learning Conference in Evanston, WY
October 25-26: North Dakota School Boards Association Annual Convention in Bismarck, ND
October 19: North Dakota Studies Conference in Bismarck
October 18: Systems Change in Sioux Falls, SD
October 9-13: National Indian Education Association Conference in Connecticut
September 23-25: OSEU Training at SD Indian Education Summit, Pierre, SD
September 12-13: NDNAEU Overview at Turtle Mountain Community College in ND
September 4-6: United Tribes Technical Institute Tribal Leaders Conference, Bismarck, ND
August 16 NDNAEU & Culturally Responsive Teaching Training, Parshall, ND
August 13-15 DOE OSEU & SD 4th Grade Lessons Development Team, Rapid City, SD
August 9-10 Leading Together Presentation at Joint Convention, Sioux Falls, SD
August 9-10 Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings Presentation at Joint Convention, Sioux Falls, SD
August 6-8 Standing Rock Wawokiya Mentor Training, Sitting Bull College, Fort Yates, ND
August 2 NDNAEU Presentation at ND Administrators Workshop, Bismarck, ND
August 1 Video Interviewing ND Elders Bismarck, ND
July 19 SD Department of Labor Cultural Training, Sioux Falls, SD
July 12-13 ND Indian Education Summit, Bismarck, ND
July 10-11 NDNAEU Regional Training, Bismarck, ND
June 1-3 Summer WoLakota Project Retreat, Placerville Camp in the Black Hills