Academics

Educator Profiles

Patrice Chavez

Disciplinarian
HS Academics
Santa Fe, NM

I graduated from Santa Fe High School, attended Garden City Community College on a volleyball and basketball scholarship, and after two years, decided to move on to the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, where I received a scholarship to play volleyball. I graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology and a Minor in Criminal Justice. I also completed a Teacher Education Program at Santa Fe Community College and am certified in Special Education K-12. I’ve been at SFIS since 1997. Prior to coming to SFIS, I worked at residential treatment facilities as case manager. I also worked a high- risk residential facility in Arkansas as a Case Manager, and in Santa Fe at the Piñon Hills Hospital adolescent and adult treatment facility.
At SFIS, I am the Discipline Specialist/Activities Coordinator. In my role, I work with all students and staff. As the Discipline Specialist I work with students on a daily basis with regards to their behavior and their ability to follow the rules and expectations of the school. I am also in constant contact with parents. My responsibility includes prevention and visibility with students in the morning, at lunch, after school, and in between classes, guiding them in a really positive way. In order to be more effective, my position also requires counseling and positive direction. As Activities Coordinator, I work to provide positive and fun and relaxing activities for the kids to enjoy, which balances my roles. I also assume the role of Acting Dean of Students when required.
As an educator I want to be a positive influence on our students’ lives. I want to guide them and teach them, not only here at the school but in order to give them direction that they can use all their lives. I want our kids to be lifelong learners. And I hope that some of the things that I teach them and things I do to guide them will be with them throughout their lives.
First and foremost, the most important value here is culture and tradition. To me that is the foundation of the Santa Fe Indian School. It’s critical that we continue to have these connections with our communities by bringing in our community leaders, bringing in our Elders, our parents. I feel that if we have a strong connection to our communities and our cultures here at the school, insubordination will diminish. In a sense, if you allow urban America or other distractions to interfere too much with your cultural life values, you are being pulled away from the things that are most important and can guide us all.
What I am passionate about is life. Sometimes you take life for granted. For me, dealing with breast cancer, I think that I’m happy to be alive. I’m also passionate about my family, my friends. I’m passionate about who I am and the positive impact I make on people and that because of the struggles I’ve dealt with. At this time, I’m three years breast-cancer free, and you’re not cleared until the 5-year mark, but I’m passionate about my life and also about making women aware of this scary disease. It’s important for me now to be an advocate for the breast cancer cause. I take that role very seriously. For SFIS students, I wish for their success in life with what is important to them and what they are passionate about—whether it be getting their doctorate degree, whether it be finishing at technical school, whether it be being an artist, working in their tribal community—I dream for their success.