The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

At the end of the 2020-2021 school year, after thirty two years of service to the Harlem School District, Craig Todd retired. But before he left, he served his famous "wildcat burgers" at a give-away for the staff on Friday, May 28. He also left behind a legacy and a footprint.

Growing up in Three Forks, Todd recalls not being a good student in high school. Although math was a particular barrier, he was motivated by his desire to work and managed to get by. Except during wrestling season, Todd held a job from four until midnight, as well as on weekends-at grain elevators, gas stations, or anywhere else that he could-often working two or three jobs at a time. Such a schedule didn't leave any spare time for homework.

"My parents wouldn't let me work unless I maintained a C average, so I had to figure something out." Todd stated. "I had teachers who supported me, but I also went to school during a time when Algebra wasn't required."

When he graduated, Todd enrolled at Dawson Community College in Glendive. His weak foundation in math came back to haunt him, but with ample repetition and practice, he graduated with an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Ag-Business and later earned certification in Machine Tool Technology from the College of Technology in Helena. For seven years, he applied that training to his work as a machinist. But something drew him back to college, and he eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technology Education from Montana State University-Bozeman.

Harlem School District offered him his first teaching position in the fall of 1989. "I didn't want to live on the Hi-Line, so I told myself I'd give the job two years, but here I am. After working for seven years as a machinist, I went on to shape young people for 32 years."

When asked what prompted him to stay, he responded, "The people made me stay. I came to Harlem to start a teaching career, and I found a home and a family. Although I have some travel plans, I have no intention of moving; this is my home now."

Todd learned early on that for his student population he couldn't use a unit based program, moving sequentially with one lesson building upon another. "There was just too much transience-student attendance was inconsistent and there was a lot of change due to movement in and out of the district. My students are mostly hard workers, but they don't always have a stable and consistent support system."

So, just as he did with his own math struggle, Todd found a way to make education work. He individualized projects and did safety trainings on an "as needed" basis. Todd also infused his curriculum with cultural lessons. It was not uncommon to visit the technology center and find in progress drums, dance sticks, wooden star quilt patterns, and other woodworking or metal projects depicting culturally significant symbols.

To ensure that he was respectful of the culture, Todd formed relationships with key mentors like Leo Brockie and later Donovan Archambault and John Stiffarm. "The cultural things I learned taught me how to be a better teacher," Todd said. "Leo taught me the importance of family members and incorporating the culture into the work that I do with students. After Leo passed, Donovan became my mentor. Donovan is a pipe maker, and he would tell the students that pipe-making requires a good heart and a good mind or the stone will get even with you. John John (speaking about Stiffarm) and I continued to collaborate on cultural projects"

The more knowledge Todd gained about the Native American culture, the more he understood the youth. With his lessons, he discovered he was communicating not only that he cared about the culture but about the students' identities. That compassion and relevance led to student ownership and investment.

Todd's legacy is further evident in the achievements he has helped his students attain during his time in Harlem-whether through the Montana Technology Student Association (TSA), Formula 1 (F1) in Schools, or Media Arts in the Public Schools (MAPS) programs.

Similar to Business Professionals of America (BPA) but for students with technology interests, the Montana TSA received its state charter on July 24, 1991 through the efforts of Todd, Doug Polette, and Dwight Freeman. TSA provides middle and high school students with opportunities for leadership, teamwork, community service, personal growth, and recognition. Its technology competitions and activities help to prepare students for entry into college and/or the work force.

Another science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program, F1 is dedicated to introducing students to engineering, project management, branding and marketing, and teamwork through racing. As he reminisced, Todd recalled his students performance at Nationals.

"This after school program wasn't just about building cars. The team had to develop an identity, speak publically, write marketing materials, and collaborate as a team. They called themselves Harlem United, and in the spring of 2016 they were the first Native American team to make it to the World Finals, where they took second place at the F1 in Schools National Final held at the Michigan International Speedway. Meeting new people and new cultures, as well as sharing theirs, was exciting for the team, as was seeing an F1 Grand Prix for the first time." Todd stated. "In the fall of 2017, the team attended the World Championship."

Then, with MAPS, the Harlem students' film, "Looking Forward from Yesterday: Fighting for Our Culture," was selected just this February as a finalist for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) National Student Production Award. This is the highest honor in the United States for high school filmmakers.

Dancing sticks and wooden cuts of star quilt designs were common projects to come out of the Technology Education Building at Harlem High School.

"Video is such a big deal now, so this was a fun project for the kids. We learned recently on a Zoom call with Dru Carr, Director of Programming at MAPS, that the students' film was picked up by Montana PBS and will air in the fourth quarter of their programming schedule."

Through these opportunities, Todd has watched his students grow, change, and develop confidence. Forever humble about his advocacy, Todd doesn't take any credit for his students' success. "I was just there to lead and make connections," he said.

With his retirement, Todd's advocacy will be missed, as will his legendary wildcat burgers. Todd prepares these with a third of a pound of ground Angus beef. After grilling the burgers, he places them in a pan and tops them with two-three slices of smoked brisket, letting them marinate in the meat juices for a brief period before serving them on a bun.

The lives of many students have no doubt been changed by the connections Todd has made, by the footprint that he leaves.