Once the Student, Now the Tutor: My GED Story

Nov 29, 2022 | Indigenous Adult Education

By Conrad Osborne

My name is Conrad Raymond Osborne. I come from the Janis/Osborne and Little Whiteman families. My dad was Donald C. Janis/Osborne from Pine Ridge, S.D. My Mother is Geraldine Little Whiteman from Kyle, S.D. I live in the community of Wakpamni Lake, in the Wakpamni District of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, a small community near the Nebraska border.

I began studying for my GED in 2009, but decided I had other things to do and quit going to class. Years later, after much encouragement from my mother, I decided to continue my education. I put my mind into obtaining my GED and got serious about it. I am thankful for my tutor who cared enough to take me to my classes and testing. I am also thankful to the Native Employment Works (NEW) program for providing stipends for attending classes. This support helped me to obtain my diploma.

Many opportunities opened up for me after I received my GED. I was able to attend Oglala Lakota College (OLC) where I earned my AAS in Electrical Technology. I was then able to apply for various jobs.

In November 2022, I was hired as a GED tutor in OLC’s Community Continuing Education GED Program, at the East Wakpamni College Center. I never dreamed I would be a GED tutor when just a few years ago I was the student needing support. Thanks, OLC, for giving me this opportunity. If I can do it, anyone can.

This was me when I was studying for my GED.

This is me now as a counselor/tutor at East Wakpamni College Center.

This is where I studied for my GED. This was my classroom, now it’s my office.

Recent Blog Posts

United Tribes Technical College Publishes Video Series on Teacher Education Program

United Tribes Technical College Publishes Video Series on Teacher Education Program

The United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) Teacher Education Program released a series of videos to support program recruitment covering a wide range of topics and perspectives from current and past students, tribal elders, and education administrators. The program is funded by the American Indian College Fund (College Fund), through the Wounspekiya Unspewicakiyapi Native Teacher Education pilot program.

What is an Executive Order?

What is an Executive Order?

Executive orders (EOs) signed by the President direct Executive Branch agencies and staff to start or stop specific actions, but they cannot contradict the Constitution or federal laws. Recent EOs signed by President Trump have raised concerns about their potential negative impacts on Native education and tribal colleges and universities (TCUs).