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    Graphic for WVCB-LP 97.7 FM’s Pulse of the Bay podcast, Episode 13. The image features host Fred Clark and guest Beth Paap, with a large retro-style microphone, the show title in bold red text, and the station’s lighthouse logo at the bottom.
    ShowsPulse of the Bay

    Pulse of the Bay – with Beth Paap – Episode 13

    Fred Clark
    2 months ago
    2 min read

    Bayfield Schools Superintendent Beth Papp shares her journey, Ojibwe immersion, community ties, and vision for culturally rooted education.

    Summary

    In this episode of Pulse of the Bay, host Fred Clark sits down with Bayfield School District Superintendent Beth Papp for a wide-ranging conversation on education, culture, and community. A Red Cliff tribal member with more than 30 years in education, Papp reflects on her personal journey, the legacy of her family, and how that history shapes her work today.

    She highlights Bayfield’s unique role as an Indigenous-majority district, its groundbreaking Ojibwe language immersion program, and the importance of creating schools that reflect and honor the communities they serve. The conversation also touches on challenges like public perceptions, technology use in classrooms, and school safety—while underscoring the importance of partnerships with families, volunteers, and the wider community.

    Takeaways

    • Personal Journey: Papp’s Red Cliff heritage and family history of educational barriers inspired her lifelong commitment to teaching and leadership.
    • Community Schools: Bayfield Schools strive to be true community schools, welcoming families, neighbors, and knowledge keepers.
    • Ojibwe Immersion: A pioneering Ojibwe language immersion program, expanding grade by grade, reflects a commitment to cultural revitalization.
    • Academic Rigor: Contrary to perception, Bayfield students perform strongly, with immersion and multilingual learning boosting cognitive growth.
    • Social & Emotional Focus: Robust student services support emotional wellbeing and family partnerships.
    • Community Engagement: Feasts, events, and volunteer opportunities bring together families, elders, and neighbors.
    • Challenges: Enrollment perceptions, standardized testing pressures, technology overuse, bullying, and school safety remain key focus areas.
    • Future Vision: Continued emphasis on cultural identity, balanced technology use, strong PR, and expanding educational pathways.

    Resources

    Bayfield School District – https://bayfield.k12.wi.us

    Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa – https://redcliff-nsn.gov

    Act 20 – Early Literacy – https://dpi.wi.gov/wi-reads/act-20-faq

    Act 31 – Wisconsin Indian Education Law – Wisconsin DPI Act 31

    Wadookadaading Ojibwe Immersion School (LCO) – https://www.wadookadaading.org

    UW-Green Bay Rising Phoenix Program – https://www.uwgb.edu/rising-phoenix

    Book: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – https://honestdogbooks.com/item/zb7C99cVE0xi_WnJA8zFSQ

    Fred Clark

    Fred is a resident of Bayfield where he retired with a 35 year career in Wisconsin as a forester, conservationist, and in elected office. Fred was formerly the Executive Director of the statewide conservation organization Wisconsin's Green Fire. He is a long-time forester and was previously the director of The Forest Stewards Guild – a national sustainable forestry organization. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly between 2009-2014 representing Sauk, Columbia, and Marquette Counties. He has also served on the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board and on the Wisconsin Council on Forestry. Fred currently volunteers for a variety of good causes, and in his free time he enjoys skiing, biking, and sailing around on leaky wooden boats.

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