Josie Green, Oglala Lakota, is the Executive Director of Teach For America South Dakota. As waawanglake she’s charged with ensuring the work of the local team is done consciously and care-fully in alignment with local aspirations and partners. An advocate for Lakota futures, Lakota presence and Lakota education growing out of its’ original roots from kinship systems of care, she has worked in education for over 10 years.

She has worked at Teach For America South Dakota in various capacities over the last 8 years prior to leading the region. Roles ranging from supporting the regions strategic direction process, developing and designing professional development for educators within and outside the program, and coaching over 100 teachers as they navigate the education system in its past/present/future forms while remaining intact and oriented to community. A believer of the adage, “everything we need is right here,” she holds partnership has a value. Alongside partners she’s organized Indigenous Wananga’s (gatherings) in Aotearoa (New Zealand) bringing together Indigenous educators from across the world and Elder Retreats across South Dakota to safeguard the history, beauty and wisdom of Oceti Sakowin elders. Josie began her career in education as a high school tutor and mentor for Indian Education in Fargo, ND. After graduating college at Minnesota State University Moorhead, she joined the 2014 Teach For America corps and taught early elementary in the Todd County School District.

Becoming an ina/mother of 3 has only grown her belief in all children’s brilliance and her convictions of all what’s possible when young people are loved, guided, and given resources that illuminate and strengthen their knowledges.