Orr selected as Indian Teacher of the Year
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ARLEE — When Shawn Orr was a student preparing to graduate from college, he had dreams of traveling to Alaska to teach. But after receiving a degree in elementary education and with the time to leave drawing closer, there was something that just wouldn’t let him leave.
“I wanted to be home,” Orr admitted.
Eventually, the St. Ignatius local decided his talents and knowledge were best suited to where he grew up.
“I’m glad I’m close to home,” shared Orr, who teaches a few miles down the road from his hometown at the nearby Arlee School District.
And after 10 years, Orr has compiled a long list illustrating his involvement and commitment to the district.
Orr teaches Indian Studies to grades K-5, physical education and high school weightlifting at Arlee Schools in addition to tutoring, coaching and being a summer groundskeeper. He is also a certified Level 3 instructor from the International Traditional Games Society and has provided professional development to educators across the state in Indian Education for All.
Orr’s hard work has not gone unnoticed in the Arlee School District and now the whole state of Montana knows of his talents as an educator.
At the 2012 Montana Indian Education Association conference in Bozeman April 12-15, Orr was named the Indian Teacher of the Year for Montana.
“Shawn is a knowledgeable, dedicated, supportive faculty member whose commitment to Indian Education extends beyond the classroom,” said Anna Baldwin, an Arlee High School English teacher, who nominated Orr for the award.
Baldwin and Orr often team up to teach various aspects about tribal government and history such as the Hellgate Treaty.
“He’s always willing to help out. He’s just one of those good guys,” Baldwin said.
And though Orr describes himself as a “private” person, he said he was honored by the acknowledgment of his work.
“It’s an accomplishment. It makes me feel that it’s worth something. I mean I know what I’m doing is valuable … there’s just so many great people on the (MIEA) board,” Orr said. “I love being an Indian Studies teacher … I want to send a big thanks to all; they know who they are.”
Besides Orr’s involvement in all aspects of the Arlee district, Laura McGee, the MIEA Board of Directors chairperson, noted that his teaching methods have caught the attention of many in the state.
Orr has presented at the MIEA conference, the Office of Public Instruction’s Indian Education for All Best Practices conferences and the statewide educator’s strand on Teaching with Primary Sources.
“His teaching techniques have caught wind, and he has been asked to present statewide,” McGee said. “It’s a great honor for him to be Indian Teacher of the Year … we wish him the best.”
According to Orr, he likes to utilize the constructivist teaching method, which suggests that learning is more effective when a student is actively engaged rather than receiving knowledge passively.
“I’m not telling them the answer; they know the answer. I’m just helping them find it and helping them along. They are the ones doing all the work,” Orr explained, adding that he likes orchestrating small group and open discussions to facilitate this method. “The kids teach and learn from each other.”
In the end, Orr believes a good teacher is someone who can get the best out of everyone in their classroom. It’s a goal he strives for every day, no matter what.
“Our school has had a long-standing dedication to Indian education; this is just another way to provide recognition of the excellence in this area,” Baldwin said.
