Featured Speakers
For a full list of presenters see the tentative agenda on the homepage.
Ron Glodoski
Humorous presentation with a valuable lesson. Ron is the Leading National Expert on Bullying, Substance Abuse and Resiliency.
He is a living example of why we should Leave No Child Behind.
Ron speaks from the heart of real life experience. A featured expert on The Sally Jesse Raphael Show, he offers a fresh new perspective on how to effectively connect with kids. His personal triumph over abuse issues, a traumatic brain injury and learning disabilities provides practical solutions to the challenges confronting our youth today.
The authenticity of Ron's message is embodied in his own life. He survived an abusive childhood by escaping to life on the streets. The choice to change his life led Ron on a path of personal growth and transformation.
He attended college and began successfully applying his skills to a series of legitimate businesses - including The Spinoza Company, which markets a talking teddy bear that plays cassette tapes about self-worth and acceptance. Ron expanded this home-based business to a multi-million dollar company that provided meaningful employment for 33 people. His life is undeniable proof that even the kids society labels at-risk can become healthy, productive members of their community.
Today Ron is dedicated to helping others transform their lives. His book, How To Be A Successful Criminal - The Real Deal on Crime, Drugs, and Easy Money has received national acclaim by parents, educators, administrators, judges, police officers, counselors, and social workers.
Every week his school and juvenile detention programs bring him face to face with thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students. Testimonials from students and teachers praise his effectiveness. Using real life experiences, Ron reaches out to kids with respect, and teaches them how to take back their right to choose a better way of life.
Endorsed by educators, mental health and criminal justice professionals, his powerful Staff Development and Parent Programs provide an inside look at the hearts and minds of kids today. He shows what can be done to help heal the past, change the present, and create the future. These programs gently confront and challenge teachers and parents to examine personal attitudes, judgments, and learned behaviors that may be blocking their effectiveness. College students applaud his insight, which prepares them for working with youth and assists them in understanding the issues that kids are dealing with today.
While others ask what can be done to help our youth, Ron is providing answers and changing lives.
Handouts for Ron Glodoski's sessions will be available on this website.
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Humorous presentation with a valuable lesson. Ron is the Leading National Expert on Bullying, Substance Abuse and Resiliency.
He is a living example of why we should Leave No Child Behind.
Ron speaks from the heart of real life experience. A featured expert on The Sally Jesse Raphael Show, he offers a fresh new perspective on how to effectively connect with kids. His personal triumph over abuse issues, a traumatic brain injury and learning disabilities provides practical solutions to the challenges confronting our youth today.
The authenticity of Ron's message is embodied in his own life. He survived an abusive childhood by escaping to life on the streets. The choice to change his life led Ron on a path of personal growth and transformation.
He attended college and began successfully applying his skills to a series of legitimate businesses - including The Spinoza Company, which markets a talking teddy bear that plays cassette tapes about self-worth and acceptance. Ron expanded this home-based business to a multi-million dollar company that provided meaningful employment for 33 people. His life is undeniable proof that even the kids society labels at-risk can become healthy, productive members of their community.
Today Ron is dedicated to helping others transform their lives. His book, How To Be A Successful Criminal - The Real Deal on Crime, Drugs, and Easy Money has received national acclaim by parents, educators, administrators, judges, police officers, counselors, and social workers.
Every week his school and juvenile detention programs bring him face to face with thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students. Testimonials from students and teachers praise his effectiveness. Using real life experiences, Ron reaches out to kids with respect, and teaches them how to take back their right to choose a better way of life.
Endorsed by educators, mental health and criminal justice professionals, his powerful Staff Development and Parent Programs provide an inside look at the hearts and minds of kids today. He shows what can be done to help heal the past, change the present, and create the future. These programs gently confront and challenge teachers and parents to examine personal attitudes, judgments, and learned behaviors that may be blocking their effectiveness. College students applaud his insight, which prepares them for working with youth and assists them in understanding the issues that kids are dealing with today.
While others ask what can be done to help our youth, Ron is providing answers and changing lives.
Handouts for Ron Glodoski's sessions will be available on this website.
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Don Bartlette
"barb-a native adult's struggle to learn"
"It happened on a monday-a life threatened"
"A Native American's Journey Through a Difficult Childhood"
Don Bartlette was born into a poverty stricken Native American family, into an atmosphere of family and school violence, alcoholism, child abuse and racism. Bartlette also had a severe cleft palate birth defect, which left his face severely distorted and made speaking almost impossible, making him a target for ridicule. Prejudice, hate and abuse were the only things the little boy knew. Largely left to fend for himself, the young child struggled just to survive, let alone experience acceptance and love.
After 17 years of unspeakable difficulties, an encounter with one person who extended her love and friendship to the young man finally broke through the darkness and hopelessness. So began a new chapter in Bartlette’s life. Now an adult, Bartlette became a social worker, counselor and educator, as well as the parent of seven daughters and one son. He has shared his life story for decades through his life story, Macaroni at Midnight, which exemplifies how tragedy can transform into a life of joy, hope and success through the caring of one person who shared God’s love with him in a real life way. His story has been presented in multiple media outlets and forms, including appearances on the well known Focus on the Family radio program.
“We are so excited to have Don coming to the Lakota Nations Education Conference. Please join him for a presentation of Hope, Faith, and Love.
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After 17 years of unspeakable difficulties, an encounter with one person who extended her love and friendship to the young man finally broke through the darkness and hopelessness. So began a new chapter in Bartlette’s life. Now an adult, Bartlette became a social worker, counselor and educator, as well as the parent of seven daughters and one son. He has shared his life story for decades through his life story, Macaroni at Midnight, which exemplifies how tragedy can transform into a life of joy, hope and success through the caring of one person who shared God’s love with him in a real life way. His story has been presented in multiple media outlets and forms, including appearances on the well known Focus on the Family radio program.
“We are so excited to have Don coming to the Lakota Nations Education Conference. Please join him for a presentation of Hope, Faith, and Love.
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Steven RokusekThe South Dakota Science Teachers Association (SDSTA) honored SDPB’s Education Specialist Steven “Science Steve” Rokusek with its 2019 Friend of Science Award during its annual conference in Huron in February.
As Education Specialist, Rokusek works to provide PBS and SDPB resources to South Dakota’s PreK-12 educators, routinely provides science teaching demonstrations at conferences and in-services throughout the state, and maintains close contact with teachers and others to build and navigate SDPB’s educational resources. “The SDSTA is an amazing organization of science educators dedicated to the advancement of science education in South Dakota,” says Rokusek. “I’m proud to be part of this remarkable group of educators and humbled that I’ve been selected for this award. I’ve always enjoyed science and have never considered science education as a ‘job.’ For me, it is a privilege to share my love of science with others.”
Thank you, SDSTA, and congratulations, Steve!
We are honored to have Steve join us every year to offer his passion and love of Science to students and adults.
As Education Specialist, Rokusek works to provide PBS and SDPB resources to South Dakota’s PreK-12 educators, routinely provides science teaching demonstrations at conferences and in-services throughout the state, and maintains close contact with teachers and others to build and navigate SDPB’s educational resources. “The SDSTA is an amazing organization of science educators dedicated to the advancement of science education in South Dakota,” says Rokusek. “I’m proud to be part of this remarkable group of educators and humbled that I’ve been selected for this award. I’ve always enjoyed science and have never considered science education as a ‘job.’ For me, it is a privilege to share my love of science with others.”
Thank you, SDSTA, and congratulations, Steve!
We are honored to have Steve join us every year to offer his passion and love of Science to students and adults.
Former NFL athlete Levi Horn (Northern Cheyenne) -speaker at LNEC Thursday December 19th & 20th.
Former NFL athlete Levi Horn (Northern Cheyenne) will be one of the speakers at this year's 2019 Lakota Nations Education Conference. He was the keynote speaker at the 6th Annual WSU Native Youth Sports Summit. Pictured here (l-r): Assistant Director Faith Price, Native Student Ambassadors Jay-J Yarbrough-Jones and Urijah Willis, Levi Horn, Native Student Ambassador Miranda Cleveland, Director/Tribal Liaison Barbara Aston, and Communications Assistant Shana Lombard.
Horn emphasized to the audience the importance of making good choices, setting goals, and being resilient. Making it to the NFL was not easy.
Horn had the size and ability from a young age to be an amazing football player. In middle school, he was 6’4” and 240 pounds – too big to play football against other kids his age.
At the beginning of his high school football career at Rogers High School in Spokane, he was nearly kicked off the football team because of the bad decisions he was making at the time. Horn told the group he had a friend who was dragging him down.
“A decision I made in the ninth grade not to kick it with him anymore changed my life,” said Horn. His high school coach could already see his potential and told him if he wanted to play in the NFL, he needed to make better choices. Horn said he decided, “I choose football.”
However, even with his size and evident talent, Horn lacked the confidence to think he could pursue a career in football. Negative people around him did not help.
“I’ve had a lot of people tell me I couldn’t make it. And I believed them,” said Horn.
One pivotal night, though, he received a recruitment call from Minot State in North Dakota. Horn remembered thinking it was his friends playing a prank on him. The coach managed to convince him it was for real, telling him, “Levi, you’re going to play college football somewhere and we want it to be here.”
“That moment changed my future because I never thought I was going to go to college,” said Horn.
At one point when he was at “rock bottom” as a freshman at Oregon, Horn said he started praying. His prayer was something along the lines of:
“Creator, if you get me to the NFL, I will do whatever you want,” said Horn.
Well, he got to the NFL, and it appears the Creator wanted to continue to use him to inspire youth. He is currently finishing his education, working as a substance abuse counselor, and traveling the nation sharing his journey with Native youth.
Horn emphasized to the audience the importance of making good choices, setting goals, and being resilient. Making it to the NFL was not easy.
Horn had the size and ability from a young age to be an amazing football player. In middle school, he was 6’4” and 240 pounds – too big to play football against other kids his age.
At the beginning of his high school football career at Rogers High School in Spokane, he was nearly kicked off the football team because of the bad decisions he was making at the time. Horn told the group he had a friend who was dragging him down.
“A decision I made in the ninth grade not to kick it with him anymore changed my life,” said Horn. His high school coach could already see his potential and told him if he wanted to play in the NFL, he needed to make better choices. Horn said he decided, “I choose football.”
However, even with his size and evident talent, Horn lacked the confidence to think he could pursue a career in football. Negative people around him did not help.
“I’ve had a lot of people tell me I couldn’t make it. And I believed them,” said Horn.
One pivotal night, though, he received a recruitment call from Minot State in North Dakota. Horn remembered thinking it was his friends playing a prank on him. The coach managed to convince him it was for real, telling him, “Levi, you’re going to play college football somewhere and we want it to be here.”
“That moment changed my future because I never thought I was going to go to college,” said Horn.
At one point when he was at “rock bottom” as a freshman at Oregon, Horn said he started praying. His prayer was something along the lines of:
“Creator, if you get me to the NFL, I will do whatever you want,” said Horn.
Well, he got to the NFL, and it appears the Creator wanted to continue to use him to inspire youth. He is currently finishing his education, working as a substance abuse counselor, and traveling the nation sharing his journey with Native youth.
John Forkenbrock
From Washington DC, we welcome John Forkenbrock to LNEC. He is a strong advocate for children and a strong advocate for Native People. Mr. Forkenbrock is an expert in funding issues for Native Schools and will be keynoting at the 2021 LNEC December 16th General Session in the Sylvan I and II rooms. He will also be involve in several other sessions throughout the conference.
When John speaks we all listen because no one wants to miss a single word he says. His experience and wisdom makes him a valuable asset to LNEC. LNEC is in it's 43rd year, John has only missed one of those years. Please don't miss his informative talk on the History of Indian Education with an emphasize on funding issues.
When John speaks we all listen because no one wants to miss a single word he says. His experience and wisdom makes him a valuable asset to LNEC. LNEC is in it's 43rd year, John has only missed one of those years. Please don't miss his informative talk on the History of Indian Education with an emphasize on funding issues.