Episode Summary
In this Community Voices episode of The BAGO Mic, students from Winnebago Public Schools sit down with Destiny Shipman, Family and Consumer Science teacher at Winnebago Public Schools, to talk about life skills, culture, identity, and preparing students for adulthood. Students explore topics ranging from cooking and sewing to cultural pride and future goals.
Ms. Shipman shares her path to becoming a teacher, beginning with helping a young boy with Down syndrome when she was younger and eventually spending years supporting students with developmental delays before moving into Family and Consumer Science. She explains why cooking, sewing, financial skills, health, and everyday adult responsibilities matter and how these skills help students long after graduation.
The conversation also focuses heavily on culture and identity. Ms. Shipman discusses learning about Indigenous traditions while teaching in Winnebago, the importance of ribbon skirts and ribbon shirts, discovering her own Native roots, and why students should feel proud of where they come from. Throughout the interview, students ask thoughtful questions about heritage, belonging, and preserving traditions for future generations.
This episode highlights the power of kindness, culture, and relationships. Ms. Shipman encourages students to lead with kindness, work hard in school, stay connected to family and culture, and remember that small actions, respect, and positivity can create meaningful change in both school and the community.
Show Notes
- Life skills beyond the classroom
- Cooking, sewing, and adult responsibilities
- Indigenous identity and cultural pride
- Ribbon skirts, ribbon shirts, and traditions
- Advice for future success and kindness
Key Takeaways
- Life skills create confidence and independence.
- Culture and identity help students build pride and belonging.
- Kindness and respect can create positive change.
- Learning practical skills prepares students for adulthood.
Hainipi… Hi, everyone. Welcome to The BAGO Mic, powered by Student Voice, where students lead the way.
We are students from Winnebago Public Schools, broadcasting from the Winnebago Native American Reservation in Winnebago, Nebraska. This podcast is created by us for the world.
Let’s start by introducing ourselves.
Xailei: My name is Xailei.
Easton: My name is Easton.
Jason: My name is Jason.
Xailei: Today’s episode is about culture, life skills, identities, and helping students prepare for the future.
Before we begin, we want to share something we’re thankful for.
Xailei: I’m thankful for family.
Easton: I’m thankful for the stuff my parents buy me.
Jason: I’m thankful for our hearts.
Xailei: Today we are here with Destiny Shipman, who is the 9–12 Family and Consumer Science teacher at Winnebago Public Schools.
We wanted to interview Ms. Shipman because of the way she teaches life skills, supports students, and helps keep Indigenous culture and traditions strong in our school community. Thank you for being here with us today.
Now let’s get into it.
Xailei: Can you tell us about yourself and what you teach?
Ms. Shipman: Yes. So I am a Family and Consumer Science teacher. What that means is basically we do a lot of different life skills — a lot of adulting type topics. We do a lot of sewing and cooking in my class, so I’m really excited about that. And I’ve been teaching it for about three or four years now here at Winnebago.
Xailei: What made you want to become a teacher?
Ms. Shipman: When I was little, I worked with a little boy. His name was Brad, and he had Down syndrome. He was just so fun and he was fun on me, and I thought I could work with kids. As I helped him along, I was kind of like his little helper. I was really young — about a third grader. That’s where my first thought of maybe I could do this came from.
Xailei: What did you first start teaching?
Ms. Shipman: I started teaching 14 years ago. I did about 10 years working with kids who had developmental delays. Then I wanted a different chapter in my life, so I started Family and Consumer Science.
Easton: How old were you before you started cooking?
Ms. Shipman: I remember I was about an eighth grader. My mom left me hamburger helper to make. I had to brown hamburger, read the directions, and figure it out. That’s kind of how I started.
Xailei: Did the hamburger helper taste good?
Ms. Shipman: Most times it did. But the first time I didn’t drain the grease and it was oily and gross. That’s how you learn though — by making mistakes.
Xailei: What were you like when you were our age?
Ms. Shipman: Fifth grade was when I started at a brand new school. I had to make new friends and meet new teachers, so I remember being nervous and quiet. Luckily I had nice friends who welcomed me. Around then I also found basketball and that really helped.
Easton: Did you play on a team?
Ms. Shipman: Yes. I lived in a little town called Chapman and I played basketball there. I had a really great coach and mentor.
Easton: What was your coach’s name?
Ms. Shipman: Coach Chavez.
Xailei: Why are sewing and cooking important life skills?
Ms. Shipman: First of all, safety. We have to be safe in kitchens and with sewing machines. But they’re also skills you take into adulthood. I hope students still use what I teach long after graduation.
Jason: What other lessons do students learn besides cooking and sewing?
Ms. Shipman: Health — physical health, mental health, social health. Money skills. Spending wisely. Dishes too. We also cover adult topics and family planning. Anything adults need to know is probably covered in my intro classes.
Ms. Shipman: So my cooking classes cap out around 16 students because I have four kitchens, and four students usually work at each station. Other classes sometimes go up to 20 students, but smaller class sizes are nice, especially for sewing.
Xailei: What is your favorite part of teaching student life skills?
Ms. Shipman: I love seeing progress. At first, students may not be able to do something independently, and then later they can. We recently got fabric donated and students have been sewing nonstop. One student made five ribbon skirts this week for family members.
Xailei: What’s his name?
Ms. Shipman: Raiden Decora.
Xailei: He’s my cousin.
Ms. Shipman: Very cool. At first he couldn’t do it independently, and today he finished one completely on his own. That was exciting to see.
Xailei: Why are ribbon shirts and ribbon skirts important to Indigenous cultures?
Ms. Shipman: They show our heritage, our roots, and where we come from. Different tribes have different symbols and designs that mean different things. They also create conversations. If someone asks about my ribbon skirt, it gives me a chance to talk about my roots. I’m proud of where I come from. They’re also a way students show gratitude to family, teachers, and community members.
Xailei: When did you learn sewing? And when did you learn about ribbon shirts and ribbon skirts?
Ms. Shipman: I learned quilting from my grandmother and aunt when I was around your age. My mom hated sewing, so I learned from them. As for ribbon skirts and shirts, I didn’t really understand their significance until I started working in Winnebago.
Xailei: Who taught you?
Ms. Shipman: Tiffany from maintenance, Mr. Wolfleader, and Ms. Wolf. They really helped guide me.
Xailei: Why is it important for students to feel proud of their culture and identity?
Ms. Shipman: Because when we’re proud of who we are and where we come from, it gives us hope and joy. If you aren’t proud of yourself or your roots, it feels cruddy inside. You want the opposite. You want joy.
Xailei: Where did you work before Winnebago?
Ms. Shipman: Around Omaha. I lived there and taught in a small town called Mead. I had amazing coworkers and principals. But life brought me here. I used to drive through Winnebago twice a day and thought this community looked awesome and full of life. When this position opened up, I chose Winnebago over two other job offers because it felt right.
Xailei: What does culture mean to you personally?
Ms. Shipman: Right before getting this job, I went searching for my biological grandpa because I knew he was Native. My dad and grandpa did DNA testing and matched. I found out my grandpa is from Rosebud Sioux and my grandma is Oglala Sioux. Finding that gave me identity. My grandma is Czech, too, and I’m honestly a little bit of everything. Like a mutt — and I’m okay with that.
Xailei: How much do you know about your cultures?
Ms. Shipman: There’s still so much I don’t know. I’d love to do more DNA testing and keep learning. My spouse is Honduran, so our baby has many backgrounds too. I think knowing where you come from matters.
Xailei: What’s your baby’s name?
Ms. Shipman: Francesco Po. We call him Franco. He’s almost eight months old.
Xailei: Why is it important to keep Ho-Chunk and Indigenous traditions strong for future generations?
Ms. Shipman: One thing I love about Winnebago is seeing language, blessings, powwows, ribbon skirts, ribbon shirts, and culture everywhere. That creates legacy. If you aren’t practicing culture, what are you leaving behind?
Xailei: Do you know much Ho-Chunk language?
Ms. Shipman: A little bit. I know some phrases. I’m still learning. I think it’s wonderful when students know language.
Ms. Shipman: We also decorated caps and gowns this year. I love that students can bead and appliqué them culturally. Some schools don’t allow that. I think decorating them puts love and joy into graduation.
Xailei: Why is representation important for Native students?
Ms. Shipman: We’re lucky here because culture is everywhere around us. In bigger cities, Native students can sometimes feel alone. Representation helps students know their worth and feel seen.
Xailei: What are you proud of in your work?
Ms. Shipman: I hope people remember that I gave it my all. I hope people remember kindness, genuineness, and heart.
Xailei: One thing I remember is when you made me that ribbon shirt.
Ms. Shipman: I’m glad you remember that.
Xailei: What moment with students stands out to you?
Ms. Shipman: Dancing. I love dancing. Today students had to dance during a scavenger hunt and I joined in. I’ve gone to prom with students. Dancing creates joyful moments and connections.
Xailei: Do you have hobbies besides dancing?
Ms. Shipman: Dance is huge for me. I know around 27 partner dances. I used to teach dance and compete. Salsa, cha-cha, quickstep — lots of styles. Maybe someday I’ll teach dance here.
Xailei: How can schools help students feel like they belong?
Ms. Shipman: Say good morning. Smile. Give high fives. Invite someone to sit with you. Ask how people are doing. Small things matter.
Xailei: What advice would you give students our age?
Ms. Shipman: Lead with kindness. Protect your mental health. Spend time outside. Spend time with family. Learn your culture. Try new things. Avoid bad situations when you can.
Xailei: What grades do you teach?
Ms. Shipman: Mostly 9th–12th grade, although sometimes I work with younger students too.
Xailei: What would you tell your younger self?
Ms. Shipman: I wish I would have taken school a little more seriously and worked harder academically.
Xailei: Why does your work matter to the community?
Ms. Shipman: Because the things I teach are tied to culture and life skills. I genuinely hope I make the community and school better every day.
Xailei: Do you think about students when you’re alone?
Ms. Shipman: Honestly, I’m rarely alone. Students are always stopping by. My brain is always moving to the next project or next way I can help students.
Xailei: How can young people in our community change the world?
Ms. Shipman: Lead with kindness. Be respectful. Have fun in respectful ways. Follow the BAGO way — be safe, arrive on time, give respect, and own your actions. If you do that, I think you can change the world.
Xailei: Thank you for sharing your time and story with us.
Thanks for listening to The BAGO Mic. Remember: your voice matters, our story matters, and you matter.
Wa’įniginąpšąną.
Žige hąącikjawi.