Beth McLeod – Principal & Morning Kindergarten
Ms. McLeod has had a long career in early childhood education, working for 29 years as a childcare teacher and director in North Carolina. She attended Bob Jones University and Guilford Technical Community College, and she earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education in 2024 at Ogalala Lakota College. She is an ACSI certified Educator as a Principal and an Elementary Teacher. This year Ms. McLeod will celebrate 11 years of serving at Windswept Academy.
Ms. McLeod has an adult son, who along with his wife, are foster parents and have adopted a little girl. Ms. McLeod assisted a family in 2015 by caring for their newborn daughter after only being on the reservation for 6 months. Ms. McLeod (With permission from the tribe and the parents) adopted her in 2020. She calls her “Pandemic Blessing.” Her daughter is currently in fifth grade at Windswept Academy.
Ms. McLeod holds the Bible verse Deuteronomy 31:8 close to her heart…
“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Donna Shaw – School Administrator & Science Teacher
Dr. Donna Shaw is returning to Windswept Academy as School Administrator, Middle School Science teacher and High School proctor. Dr. Shaw lived in Mississippi where she recently retired from 31 years with the USDA serving the last 7 years as Administrative Officer of 3 research locations managing approximately 90 employees and a $13 Million budget. Prior to Administration, Dr. Shaw served as a Support Scientist conducting agricultural research in nutraceutical health benefits of small fruit, i.e. blueberry, blackberry, muscadine grape, while teaching Biology and related subjects at the Community college and University levels.
Dr. Shaw is not new to Windswept Academy; she and her husband Mel have been serving at Windswept for over 10 years part time. Together they served two years full time during 2021-2023 school years as Principal and Facility manager/Security.
Dr. Shaw claims Zephaniah 3:17 as her life verse.
“The Lord your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior.
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”
Elementary School
Tonya Thompson – 1st Grade
Tonya Thompson is from Valdosta, Georgia. Her daughter, Shelby, son-in-law, and three grandsons live in Alabama. In her free time, she likes to cook, read, video chat with her grandsons, and watch college football.
She graduated in 1991 from Brewton-Parker College and has been teaching for 30 years. She taught first grade for thirteen years. She has also taught Kindergarten, third, and fourth grade. She taught for 19 years in Georgia, six years in Suriname, and three years in China. This will be her fourth year teaching first grade at Windswept Academy.
Carol Traversie – 2nd Grade
Carol Traversie is the 2nd grade teacher at Windswept Academy. Mrs. Traversie was born at the Cheyenne Agency, S.D. and completed her high school at St. Mary’s School for Episcopal Indian Girls in Springfield, S.D. She married and has two children. Mrs. Traversie’s family has lived in Wyoming and North Dakota as her late husband worked as a welder in the oil fields.
She attended Presentation College and has a Surgical Technology certification. She graduated with a B.S. degree in Sociology from Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. and then attended Si Tanka University – Eagle Butte Campus and graduated with a B.S. in Education.
Mrs. Traversie started her career as a Director of a Day Care Center for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and enjoyed the job for two years. She then worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Social Services Department where she retired after 29 years. Carol started working at Windswept Academy in 2023 where she taught 2nd grade. She very much enjoys the energy and enthusiasm of the second-grade students.
Mrs. Traversie’s claims John 3:16 as her life verse:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Leota Johnson – 3rd & 4th Grade
Leota Johnson considers it a joy and honor to be teaching at Windswept Academy. She taught second, third, and fourth grades in other years and will be teaching third grade this year.
Leota grew up on a farm on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation near Glad Valley. At the age of seven she received Jesus Christ as her Savior. As a child she learned about God and His love through family Bible reading each morning, regular Sunday School, and summer VBS and Bible camp.
She attended rural elementary schools and graduated from Isabel High School. Then Leota went to Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology. Later she updated her degree to include Christian Education. During her high school and college years, Leota spent many summer weeks in rural communities in South Dakota teaching Vacation Bible School and counseling at Bible camps. This was excellent training and a time of spiritual growth.
After college graduation Leota married Allen, and they farmed, milked many cows, and raised five children who are now grown. They home-schooled some of their children, and that gave them rich times of teaching and learning together. Allen and Leota love the Word of God, and faithfully attend the Prairie Fellowship Church in Isabel. They continue to operate a beef cattle ranch where Leota’s most enjoyable times are spent working with the cows and calves.
In 2002 Leota enrolled in Si Tanka University in Eagle Butte and graduated in 2005 with her elementary education degree. She then taught at CEB Upper Elementary until 2018. By the clear leading of God, she was convinced that she should work at Windswept Academy. She is genuinely thankful to be teaching children both academically and spiritually so they will be equipped to serve others. Her life verses are Proverbs 3:5,6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Alice Cook – 4th & 5th Grade
Middle and High School
Deborah Feliciano – Middle School Teacher
Dr. Deborah Feliciano will be returning to Windswept Academy as a middle school teacher. She holds a BA degree from The King’s College, MA degree from The Ohio State University, and a Doctorate of Education degree from Nova Southeastern University.
Before teaching at Windswept Academy, Dr. Feliciano taught for over 35 years in New York State public schools, Manhattan Christian Academy in New York City, and the Ohio State University. She was also a coach for many years and led the orienteering program.
She retired two times already to help out with her two wonderful grandchildren! She loves to take them on adventures and to see how they are learning and growing! As a Christian for many years and seeking God’s direction for her life, she has chosen to begin another new chapter in her life at Windswept.
Dr. Feliciano enjoys reading and being outdoors either walking or hiking and spending time with people along the way!
Ben Farrar – Lakota Language (part time)
Rev. Ben Farrar is from Morganton, North Carolina. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lenoir Rhyne University with a double major in Theatre and Family Ministry and a Master’s of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Additionally, he has taken Lakota Language courses at Oglala Lakota College.
He has been living and pastoring in Eagle Butte for several years. He has served in several roles at Windswept Academy: Theatre Arts teacher, Substitute teacher, Lakota Language teacher and Pastor.
He has been involved with more than forty dramatic productions and revels in the opportunity to use his skills to point people to Jesus and teach young people to communicate.
Staff
Ms. Haven – Cook
