Superintendent Walking Eagle Receives Gifted Children Award

SAINT FRANCIS — Saint Francis Indian School Superintendent Danielle Walking Eagle will be honored by the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) with the prestigious Administrator Award. The celebration and honoring will happen on November 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to recognize her outstanding contributions to supporting gifted and talented students nationwide. This esteemed recognition acknowledges her dedication to fostering academic excellence and innovation, making a lasting impact on students and the education community.

Superintendent Danielle is a dedicated educator and administrator who has made significant contributions to supporting gifted and talented students, regular students and children with special education needs, particularly from Native American communities. She has developed culturally responsive programs, promoted equity and excellence, and fostered community engagement. Her leadership has led to numerous accolades, including the NASA TechRise Challenge and state-level competition wins in sports, Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI), Career Technical Education (CTE), poetry, scholarly writing and leadership advocacies for students. As the recipient of the NAGC Administrator Award, Superintendent Danielle’s commitment to teacher and student development has had a profound impact on academic achievement and cultural responsiveness at Saint Francis Indian School.

Superintendent Danielle’s visionary leadership in gifted education is exemplified through her comprehensive and innovative programs, showcasing exceptional expertise and a deep commitment to student success. Her initiatives include: A Culturally Responsive Gifted Education Program that honors Native American heritage, fostering a sense of identity and belonging among students; differentiated instruction methods that promote critical thinking, creativity, and foundational skills in mathematics, science, and reading.

She has also implemented: innovative strategies such as the Kagan Strategy and STEM Education, providing hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and passion; a comprehensive Gifted Student Identification and Placement process, ensuring diverse students are identified and supported; a partnership with the University of South Dakota School of Education for teacher professional development, and upholding Professional Learning Community (PCL) for the Gifted and Talented educators, support to all teachers in terms of training and mentoring programs, demonstrating her commitment to educator growth.

Community engagement is a priority with: partnerships established with local organizations and institutions, providing students with real-world connections and opportunities; An Awards and Recognition program that celebrates teacher and student achievements and motivates excellence. Future plans include: Digitization of Gifted and Talented Identification and Testing; Creative Minds After School Intervention and Enrichment Program for all students; Strengthened STEM Program, Comprehensive identification process for kindergarten pupils to be in the gifted; Extended Time for Gifted and Talented Students; Research Methods and Scholarly Manuscript Writing; Robotics and Sensor Technology; Visual and Performing Arts with cultural and traditional elements; Conferences, scholarships, and summer camps.

Superintendent Danielle has fully supported the conduct of Science and Research Congress in April 2025, showcasing students’ scientific talents and research skills through 12 innovative projects and 6 legislative proposals. This event inspired students to write scholarly articles relevant in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). She upholds staff development, providing regular training sessions, workshops, and conferences on topics such as Kagan Strategies, STEM education, and digital literacy. The school utilizes innovative resources, including cutting-edge technologies, theater arts and visual materials, musical instruments, and high-end laptops, to support engaging learning experiences. Additionally, Superintendent Danielle has secured funding from diverse sources, ensuring the school’s long-term financial sustainability and reducing reliance on a single funding source.

Superintendent Danielle is a dedicated advocate for educational equity and excellence, particularly for Native American students. Recent highlights of her efforts include: Sending staff to the Tribal Interior Budget Council (TIBC) 2025 to advocate for St. Francis students’ needs and explore future plans for youth leadership and tribal education law, meeting with Congress members to address key issues affecting Native American education, supporting teachers in attending training and conferences in other states to gain best practices for Saint Francis Indian School. Her advocacy focuses on: Culturally responsive education that honors Native American history, language, and traditions; and Gifted and talented education that addresses unique student needs.

Her tireless efforts have earned her recognition as one of the outstanding Superintendents in South Dakota, making a positive impact on St. Francis students and the broader Native American community. Moreover, Superintendent Danielle has published articles and features on gifted education through school newsletters and Todd Tribune newspaper, showcasing her expertise and commitment to supporting gifted students. Her publications emphasize: Early identification and intervention; Differentiated instruction and assessment; Parental involvement and Inclusive learning environments; and showcases of wins or victory in various competitions. Her work provides valuable insights and guidance for educators and parents, positively impacting students’ academic and social development.

Superintendent Walking Eagle is a visionary leader who empowers her staff to support students in all settings. Through her published articles, she has made significant contributions to gifted and talented education, focusing on school-level implementation and regular programs. Her work emphasizes the importance of identifying and supporting gifted students, recognizing and nurturing their unique abilities. Her publications provide valuable insights on: Early identification and intervention; Differentiated instruction and inclusive learning environments and Parental involvement and collaboration.

She also motivates students with rewards for good attendance and achievements, celebrating their successes with tokens and treats. Additionally, she encourages creativity through art and theater programs, fostering a love of learning and celebrating students’ unique talents. By empowering educators and nurturing students’ potential, Superintendent Danielle’s approach has a lasting impact on academic excellence and creativity.

“I believe that Superintendent Dani Walking Eagle is a dynamic leader. It is easy to submit proposals and she approves it right away especially when it comes to teacher and student development. She is very supportive, humble and she cares a lot for the school. I have seen her dedication and genuine care, and her effort to capacitate herself as she is finishing her Doctoral Degree. I like a leader like Ms. Dani because she values mental health and well-being of her employees, she dedicates her expertise to put the school to excellence, and she has a lot to offer to Saint Francis being a pioneer in this school for 35 years. She deserves the administrator award”, expressed by Dr. Heidi Tahir, Director, Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), Saint Francis Indian School.

The post Superintendent Walking Eagle Receives Gifted Children Award first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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