Q&A with Kris Ross, Indian Education specialist

Kris Ross is an Indian Education Specialist with Lincoln Public Schools. Ross is the most senior member of the YDT and in her 13 years at LPS has impacted countless Native American scholar’s and families’ academic and life success.

Q: How did you get interested in Indian Education and why?

A: I am interested in supporting all students with unmet needs. When this particular job became available, I was able to do that; help support students and families in a way they may not have been getting at school.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges your students face?

A: I would say a connection to school and someone who can help them navigate their challenges.

Q: Can you think of a specific moment when you made a positive influence on a student?

A: They happen all the time. In big ways and little ways. For example, a parent called me the other day to help get their child tested for kindergarten and I was able to help make it happen. Students contact me regularly during the summer, while I am not at work, to just check in or talk about their schedule or ask advice. I love being there and being able to help or just listen.

Q: Why do you think the Youth Development team is a valuable resource to LPS students?

A: This is a job where its importance is hard to measure. We have some incredible talent here and hard-working folks who go beyond what many people would do to help people. It is impossible to graph a "non-incident". Thankfully, we will never know as YDT members what would have happened if we weren't there for that student or that family at a critical time for them.

 Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

A: Of course, the students I work with. I truly love and admire them. I also like feeling that I can help facilitate connections to curriculum, teachers, and other support that is helpful to the students when I am not in their building.

Q: And finally, what do you like to do on a day off?

A: Right now, watching the Olympics is a blast.

For more information on LPS Indian Education contact Kris Ross at kross@lps.org, 402.436.1954; http://home.lps.org/federal/lps-indian-education-program/.

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Published: August 3, 2012
Updated: August 3, 2012