>>> COMING UP NEXT, A LOCAL BE JOURNALIST TALKS ABOUT EXPERIENCES AT THE PHOENIX INDIAN SCHOOLS, ONE OF THE DOZENS OF INDIAN BOARD SCHOOLS IN ARIZONA.

>>> AND AN AUTHOR WRITES A YOUNG ADULT NOVEL BASED ON HER FAMILY'S HISTORY AT INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOL, AND WE'LL MEET THE 2025 TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE ARE NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

LOTS OF POLITICAL HEADLINES.

PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP BEGAN A VICTORY TOUR OF WASHINGTON TODAY, STARTING WITH AN OVAL OFFICE MEETING WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN.

THE TWO SHOOK UNDERSTAND WHAT BIDEN CONGRATULATING TRUMP AND EXPRESSING HOPE FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION.

TRUMP'S RESPONSE... -- >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND POLITICS ARE TOUGH, AND IT'S -- NOT A VERY NICE WORLD, BUT IT IS A NICE WORLD TODAY, AND I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH, A TRANSITION THAT'S SO SMOOTH, IT'LL BE AS SMOOTH AS IT CAN GET, AND I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> BIDEN'S WELCOMING OF TRUMP STANDS IN CONTRAST TO TRUMP NOT EXTENDING THE SAME COURTESY TO BIDEN AFTER TRUMP LOST IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

NOT LONG AFTER THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING MATT GAETZ WAS APPOINTMENTED TO U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR TRUMP.

IF CONFIRMED HE IS EXPECTED TO EXECUTE TRUMP'S PROMISE OF RETALIATION AGAINST JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS WHO PROSECUTED HIM.

GATES HIMSELF IS UNDER A HOUSE ETHICS INVESTIGATION OVER ACCUSATIONS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, ILLICIT DRUG USE AND CORRUPTION.

>>> TRUMP CONFIRMED MARCO RUBIO AS NOMINEE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE AND FORMER DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN TRUMP LOYALIST CHELSEA GABBERT AS THE HEAD OF HOUSE INTELLIGENCE.

DESPITE BEING A CLOSE ALLY OF RETIRING LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL AND HAVING BEEN A TRUMP CRITIC IN THE PAST, THUNE WAS ONLY CRITICAL OF DEMOCRATS TODAY.

>> IT'S A NEW DAY IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND NEW DAY IN AMERICA.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE LOUDLY REJECTED THE FAILED POLICIES OF THE BIDEN, HARRIS, SCHUMER AGENDA.

THIS REPUBLICAN TEAM IS UNITED.

WE ARE ON ONE TEAM.

WE ARE EXCITED TO RECLAIM THE MAJORITY AND TO GET TO WORK WITH OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE TO ENACT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S AGENDA.

WE HAVE A MANDATE FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, A MANDATE NOT ONLY TO CLEAN UP THE MESS LEFT BY THE BIDEN HARRIS, SCHUMER AGENDA, BUT ALSO TO DELIVER ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PRIORITIES.

>> DESPITE PRESSURE FROM TRUMP ALLIES WHO WANTED A MORE MAGA ORIENTED SENATE LEADER LIKE FLORIDA'S RICK SCOTT, WHO WAS ENDORSED BY ELON MUSK, TUCKER CARLSON AND LAURA TRUMP.

ALSO ON CAPITOL HILL DEMOCRATS AND CONGRESS HELD THEIR FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE SINCE LAST WEEK'S ELECTION.

>> I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THE DEMOCRAT CAUCUS TO REFLECT ON WHAT HAPPENED, TO LISTEN, TO LISTEN TO THE CONSTITUENTS, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, TO LISTEN TO OUR MEMBERS, TO GATHER DATA AND CHARTER A PATH FORWARD.

>> THAT PATH FORWARD WILL NOT INCLUDE KIRSTEN INGLE WHO WAS RUNNING IN ARIZONA'S SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

TODAY CONCEDING THE RACE SENDING IT BACK TO WASHINGTON.

>>> INFLATION NUDGE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION LAST MONTH ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS THAT REPORTS TODAY CONSUMER PRICES ROAD 0.2% IN OCTOBER WITH HOUSING INFLATION ACCOUNTING FOR HALF OF THAT RISE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE ANNUAL RATE HAS BEEN HIGHER SINCE MARCH, WHICH MEANS THE FED IS STILL EXPECTED TO CUT INTEREST RATES AGAIN NEXT MONTH.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN RECENTLY ISSUED A FORMAL APOLOGY TO NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES FOR FORCING INDIGENOUS CHILDREN TO ATTEND FEDERAL INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS.

THAT PROGRAM ENDED DECADES AGO BUT AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITIES CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THE TRAUMA.

JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT HER EXPERIENCES AT THE PHOENIX INDIAN SCHOOL, IT IS JOURNALIST PATTY TELAHUNGBUK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, HI, TED.

>> IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT REALLY DIFFICULT STUFF HERE.

LET'S GET STARTED WITH YOUR EXPERIENCES AT THESE BOARDING SCHOOLS.

SHARE WHAT YOU CAN.

>> WELL, I THINK PEOPLE HAVE THIS GENERAL IDEA ABOUT BOARDING SCHOOLS.

I'VE HAD PEOPLE ASK ME, WERE YOU FORCED TO GO TO BOARDING SCHOOLS, AND THEY HAVE THIS IDEA THAT PEOPLE ARE ROUNDING UP KIDS AND BRINGING THEM TO THE SCHOOLS.

BUT I ASKED WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF FOREST, WE DID NOT HAVE A JUNIOR HIGH OR HIGH SCHOOL, WAS I FORCED TO GO TO BOARDING SCHOOL?

AND NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO SEPARATE THE CHILD FROM THE PARENT, RIGHT.

SO NO MATTER THE FACT THAT WHEN I WENT TO PHOENIX INDIAN, EVERYONE WAS SPEAKING THEIR LANGUAGE.

SO -- AND WE HAD SURED LANGUAGE.

WE ALL LEARNED HOW TO TEASE EACH OTHER IN OTHER LANGUAGES.

WE WERE NOT TOLD WE COULDN'T SPEAK OUR LANGUAGE.

THERE -- IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT TIME FRAME, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN YOU ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT BOARDING SCHOOL, YOU ASK WHICH DECADE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

>> I WAS GONNA ASK, THAT YOUR EXPERIENCES AT PHOENIX INDIAN SCHOOL, COMPARE THOSE TO MAYBE 30, 40, 50 YEARS PRIOR.

>> WELL, I CAN COMPARE IT TO MY GRANDMOTHER'S EXPERIENCE.

SHE WAS SENT WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL AND FORCEFULLY REMOVED AND FORCED TO WEAR A UNIFORM.

SHE TALKED TO THE FAMILY YEARS LATER AND TALKED ABOUT HOW SHE HAD TO MARCH EVERYWHERE AS A LITTLE CHILD BECAUSE THESE SCHOOLS WERE BUILT ON THIS MILITARY MODEL, AND SO THOSE IMPACTS, THOSE INFLUENCES OF MILITARY STAYED WITH THE SCHOOL UNTIL PHOENIX INDIAN CLOSED IN 1990.

SO WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP, YOU PROBABLY HAD A LIST OF CHORES, RIGHT?

AT BOARDING SCHOOL IT WASN'T CALLED CHORES, IT WAS CALLED DETAIL.

AND IF YOU ASK ANYONE IN THE MILITARY WHO'S ENLISTED, THEY WILL TELL YOU WHAT THEIR DETAIL IS.

SO EVEN THAT KIND OF TERMINOLOGY WAS A PART OF OUR SCHOOL.

SO WE HAD DETAIL, WE DIDN'T HAVE CHORES.

WE DIDN'T HAVE JANITORIAL STAFF BECAUSE WE WERE THE ONES WHO CLEANED THE SCHOOL.

>> TALK TO US, AND AGAIN, IF YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S PERSPECTIVE IS REALLY IMPORTANT HERE, BUT YOUR PERSPECTIVE, YOU WERE THERE, YOU KNOW -- GIVE US AN AVERAGE DAY.

WHAT HAPPENED.

>> OH, GOSH.

AVERAGE DAY.

SO, AGAIN, WHO WE THINK ABOUT -- WHEN WE THINK ABOUT AVERAGE DAY, I WAS GIVING A PRESENTATION ABOUT OUR -- HAVING A FOOTBALL GAME, AND WIN DON'T HAVE FAMILY IN TOWN TO SHOW IT TO THOSE FOOTBALL GAMES, QUITE OFTEN IT WAS THE DIVISION SIDE THAT WERE FULL AND OUR HOME BLEACHERS WERE PRETTY MUCH EMPTY STUDENTS MIGHT SHOW UP, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, EVEN THE COACHES, LIKE COACH MARTY CONRAD, WONDERFUL MAN, HE WOULD TRY TO GET OTHER COACHES OR OTHER TEACHERS -- EXCUSE ME -- TO COME OUT AND JUST SUPPORT US IN OUR ATHLETICS.

AND THE TEACHERS DIDN'T CARE.

SO AN AVERAGE DAY VERY HARD TO DEFINE BECAUSE AGAIN YOU'RE NOT GOING HOME NOBODY IS SAYING ARE YOU DOING YOUR HOMEWORK.

DID YOU WASH YOUR CLOTHES FOR NEXT WEEK OR WHENEVER?

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU WERE LEFT TO YOUR OWN DEVICES.

>> AND COMPARE THAT NOW WITH WHEN YOUR GRANDMOTHER WENT TO A BOARDING SCHOOL.

>> I JUST -- YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH.

AND BACK THEN THERE WAS -- THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO VISITS.

IT WAS HARD TO GET TO THESE BOARDING SCHOOLS, AND I THINK ABOUT HER AND HER BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER HAD KIDS TAKEN AWAY AND SENT TO THREE DIFFERENT BOARDING SCHOOLS IN THREE DIFFERENT STATES.

AND SO THAT BROKE UP THE FAMILY, AND I WOULD SAY THAT THOSE FAMILY TIES WERE NEVER BE MENDED FULLY.

SO THAT'S THE LEGACY THAT WE'RE LIVING WITH WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HISTORICAL TRAUMA, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE REFERRING TO.

>> AND YOU WOULD REFER TO YOURSELF AS A SURVIVOR AS OPPOSED TO A GRADUATE, CORRECT?

>> YES.

>> WHY?

WELL, GOOD QUESTION.

WHEN I HEAR THAT WORD BOARDING SCHOOL SURVIVOR, I THOUGHT, HE KNOW, IT DOESN'T APPLY TO ME.

BUT AS I'VE LEARNED MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY, I THOUGHT I LIVED IT, I THOUGHT I KNEW, IT BUT UNTIL I STARTED SEEING THE RECORDS, I STARTED REALIZING THE SYSTEMATIC EFFORT BY OUR GOVERNMENT TO SEPARATE US, TO, YOU KNOW, TELL US EVERYTHING ABOUT US IS MADE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE BAD, SO FROM OUR HAIR TO OUR CLOTHING TO OUR RELIGIONS, WE KNEW -- WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND YOUR FAMILY HAS GONE THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND WE'RE STILL HERE, WE'RE STILL STANDING, THAT IS BEING A SURVIVOR.

SO YES.

>> AND THE PRESIDENT'S APOLOGY FOR THOSE SCHOOLS LAST MONTH.

YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK IT'S NOT TAUGHT IN OUR BOARDS, BOARDING SCHOOL IS NOT TAUGHT IN ANY DECENT COVERAGE SO I THINK THE AVERAGE AMERICAN WAS WONDER WHAT IS HE APOLOGIZING FOR.

SO MAYBE THAT WAS AN OPENING TO HELP EDUCATE AMERICANS.

AND THAT INCLUDES OUR POLITICAL LEADERS WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE FEDERAL TO FEDERAL RELATIONSHIP THAT TRIBES HAVE WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, AND SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS GOOD.

IS I'M SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE WONDERING MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER WAS THERE, WOULD SHE ACCEPT THE APOLOGY?

I DON'T THINK SHE WOULD.

>> YEAH.

>> BECAUSE LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO HER FAMILY.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO BE SAID TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS HISTORY OF, YOU KNOW, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT POLICY, BUT THE BIG TEST, THE BIG APOLOGY WILL COME WHEN CONGRESS UPHOLDS ITS TRUST RESPONSIBILITY TO TRIBES, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

BUT, CONGRESS OWE IT IS TO TRIBES.

>> AND REAL QUICKLY, WE'VE GOT LESS THAN A MINUTE LEFT, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GET IN IN HERE, TALK ABOUT THAT TRUST RESPONSIBILITY.

>> WELL, FUNDING HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, EDUCATION.

THAT'S WHAT THE GOVERNMENT PROMISED US.

SO WE HAVEN'T EVER HAD ANY OF THOSE TREATY RESPONSIBILITIES, THOSE TRUST RESPONSIBILITIES FULFILLED.

>> PATTY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AND TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAS TO BE DIFFICULT.

IT HAS TO BE BITTERSWEET, TOO BECAUSE I'M SURE YOU'VE MADE FRIENDS AND HAD TIMES WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AND IT WASN'T HORRIFIC BUT WASN'T WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR A YOUNG PERSON GOING TO SCHOOL, AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TED.

>>> WE CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSION AT INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS WITH A LOOK AT A NEW YOUNG ADULT NOVEL BASE ON THE HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THE BOOK IS TITLED "BUFFALO DREAMER," AND INVOLVES HORRIFIC EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE AT INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS WHERE IT'S REPORTED NEARLY 1,000 CHILDREN DIED.

THE AUTHOR OF "BUFFALO DREAMER" JOINS US NOW, VIOLA DUNCAN.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT BOOK.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT BOOK, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> IT IS DEFINITELY A LABOR OF LOVE.

THERE IS A LOT OF SWEAT AND TEARS IN THAT BOOK.

IT STARTED AS A TRIP BEAUTY TO MY FATHER, WHO ATTEMPTED A RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL AND OVERFILLED WITH MY AUNTIES AND UNCLES WHO ALSO ATTENDED THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND IT WAS A TRIBUTE TO MY CHILDREN SAYING THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED, AND THIS IS HOW WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT IN A GOOD WAY.

>> SO YOUR FAMILY'S JOURNEY WAS BASICALLY THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS STORY?

>> IT'S SO MUCH THE INSPIRATION, THAT THE CHARACTERS ARE ACTUALLY NAMED AFTER THEM.

THERE'S AN UNCLE LAWRENCE, HIS BROTHER'S NAME IS JODY LAWRENCE, THERE'S AUNTIE ANWAH.

THERE'S AN AUNTIE CRYSTAL.

>> YES, A LOT OF AUNTIES IN THIS BOOK.

AND YOU EXPLAIN AT ONE POINT THAT ELDER WOMEN ARE -- WHETHER IT'S YOUR REAL AUNT OR NOT, THEY'RE CALLED AUNT EKE AREN'T THEY?

>> HMM-MM.

YEAH, EVERY HOUSEHOLD YOU GO INTO YOU HAVE A BIG KITCHEN AND EITHER THEY'RE CLEANING OR COOKING AND GIVING SOME HISTORY LESSON AND FILLED WITH AUNTIES.

I REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT REGISTRATION NATE WITHIN THE BOOK.

IT'S NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE TRAUMA OF THE RECOMMEND SCHOOL BUT WE'RE STILL HERE TODAY AND THIS IS WHAT HEALTHY FAMILIES LOOK LIKE.

>> INDEED, AND THE BOOK STARTS WITH FROM SAN CARLOS DRIVING UP NORTH AND WIND UP WITH A BIG FAMILY SITUATION, AND THEN THINGS GET A LITTLE MORE INTERESTING.

WITHOUT GIVING TOO MUCH AWAY, WHO IS BUFFALO DREAMER?

>> SO BUFFALO DREAMER -- LET ME JUST SAY THAT A LOT OF THE CHILDREN WHO ATTENDED THE INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL DID RUN AWAY, AND MY FATHER WAS ONE OF THE RUNAWAYS, BUT HE WAS FOUND AND BROUGHT BACK TO THE SCHOOL.

AND THIS IS A STORY OF WHAT IF, WHAT IF ONE OF THE KIDS, WHO RAN AWAY, MADE IN HOME, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?

AND BUFFALO DREAMER IS RUNNING AWAY, AND WE GET TO KIND OF HEAR HER TALE OF SURVIVING THIS AND TRYING TO MAKE IT HOME.

BOUGHT A LOT OF TIMES THESE REBEL SCHOOLS WERE DAYS AND DAYS TRAVEL AWAY FROM HOME, SO TO HEAD BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY, IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE.

BUT SOME OF THESE KIDS MADE IN, AND WE HOPE THAT BUFFALO DREAMER GET -- WE GET TO FOLLOW HER HOME.

>> AND TALK ABOUT THE BOARDING SCHOOLS AND THE HORRIFIC EVENTS THAT OCCURRED AT THESE PLACES, HOW DO YOU GET THAT IMAGE, THAT THOUGHT, THAT CONCEPT INTO A YOUNG ADULT NOVEL WITHOUT IT BEING TOO MUCH FOR YOUNGER MINDS BUT STILL GETTING THE POINT ACROSS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MY CHILDREN 15, 13, 12 NOW, AND 8 YEARS OLD.

I HAVE TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE.

AND THAT'S I WROTE THE BOOK BECAUSE AS WE START TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AT THESE DIFFERENT AGE LEVELS, WE TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THERE, HOW DO WE MAKE IT IN A KID-FRIENDLY VERSION WITHOUT KIND OF SUGAR COATING IT?

BECAUSE THE KIDS THAT IT HAPPENED TO, THEY DIDN'T GET THE SUGAR-COATED EXPERIENCE, SO THEY NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THIS WILL -- DOESN'T SUGAR COAT IT.

IT TELLS THE TRUTH IN A WAY THAT A KID WILL UNDERSTAND AND REALLY EMPATHIZE WITH.

>> WHY DID YOU DECIDE ON A YOUNG ADULT NOVEL?

>> I ACTUALLY STARTED WRITING IT AFTER WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE 250 UNMARKED GRAVES IN BC, AN INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL, AND MY CHILDREN WOULD SEE ME SCROLLING THROUGH MY PHONE AND SAYING WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, WHAT ARE YOU READING?

AND I'M LIKE, OH, NO.

THIS IS THE CONVERSATION, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED.

AND AS I WAS TALKING TO THEM, THEY SAID THIS IS SO SAD.

IT HAPPENED HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO.

AND I'M LIKE, NO, LAST RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL IN CANADA CLOSED IN 1996.

THIS IS A TIME WHEN I WAS STILL ALIVE, THIS IS YOUR GRANDFATHER.

AND AS I STARTED TO SHARE WITH THEM I STARTED TO WRITE.

AND AS THEY WOULD LEARN, SO CAME THE STORY?

AND AS FAR AS THE STORY IS CONCERNED, THESE CHARACTERS ARE SO CLOSE TO YOU, SO I HESITATE TO EVEN ASK THE QUESTION, BUT DID ANY OF THEM SURPRISE NEW DID YOU PLAN ON THEM DOING THIS AND WHEN THEY'RE WRITING THE STORY, THEY'RE NOT DOING THAT, THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING ELSE.

>> ACTUALLY ALL OF THEM TOOK A WHOLE LIFE ON ITS OWN.

I'M ONE OF THOSE WRITERS WHERE I'M JUST WRITING AND WRITING AND I HAVE NO IDEA -- I'M ACTUALLY WRITING ANOTHER STORY, AND THE KID IN THIS STORY IS STUCK IN THE WILDERNESS AND THERE'S NO FOOD AND HE'S ALL ALONE AND IT'S BEEN THREE DAYS, AND I FEEL SO SAD THAT I'VE ABANDONED HIM, SO I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE STORY AND GET HIM OUT OF THE WILDERNESS.

SO AS I'M WRITING THIS STORY, I DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO END, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, I DON'T KNOW IF BUFFALO DREAMER WILL MAKE IT HOME.

ALL I KNOW IS I WAS WRITING IT AND CRYING AND FEELING THE EMOTIONS WITH THESE CHARACTERS, BECAUSE I OWE IT TO THEM.

I OWE IT TO MY AUNTIE AND MY U.N. AND HE WILL MY FATHER.

THEY GET TO HEAR HOW PROUD I AM OF THEM THROUGH THE WORDS IN THE BOOK.

>> AND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE LAND, THE WIND, AMERICAN-INDIAN CULTURE, IT'S ALL THERE.

IT'S BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN.

REALLY A WONDERFUL BOOK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LAST QUESTION, THOUGH.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOLKS TO TAKE FROM THIS?

NOT ONLY YOUNG ADULTS BUT THE PARENTS OF YOUNG ADULTS?

>> I WOULD LOVE CAREGIVERS, EDUCATE EFFORTS, CHILDREN, TO USE THIS AS A STEPPINGSTONE TO START CONVERSATION THAT THIS REALLY DID HAPPEN.

AND THERE'S LOTS TO LEARN FROM IT.

THERE ARE MOVIES THAT ARE OUT.

THERE ARE SERIES, THERE'S HISTORIC ACCOUNT FICTION.

THERE IS NON-FICTION.

THERE'S WAR BOOKS.

THERE'S LOTS OF WAYS WE CAN INTRODUCE THIS TOPIC, AND LET THIS BE THAT FIRST CONVERSATION STARTER OF HOW WE CAN BEGIN TO LEARN ABOUT OUR HISTORY.

>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON THE BOOK.

IT'S A GREAT PRODUCT.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT AND WONDERFUL TO READ, AND IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

♪♪♪ >>> THE ARIZONA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION NAMED EMMETT BURTON FROM THE BOLDER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL AND DEER VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, I WISH THEY WOULD SHORTEN THAT ONE UP, AS 2025 ARIZONA TEACHER OF THE YEAR, BURTON IS A HISTORY TEACHER AND A FOUNDER OF BUSINESS BUSINESS AND WORKS TO REDEFINE HOW STUDENTS STUDY HISTORY.

WE WELCOME MR. BURTON TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

WELCOME AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> WHAT DID YOU FIRST THINK WHEN YOU HEARD YOU WERE THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR?

>> A WHIRLWIND OF EMOTIONS.

I THINK WE KIND OF HAVE THE IMPOSTER SYNDROME GOING ON SO TO HAVE ALL OF THE PEOPLE AROUND ME SAYING YOU GOT THIS, RUN WITH IT, IT WAS REALLY AMAZING.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO ASK WHAT MAKES A GOOD TEACHER BUT WHAT MAKES A GOOD HISSY TEACHER?

>> I THINK TODAY IT'S NOT BEING AFRAID TO -- NOT SHYING AWAY WITH WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THEM.

WE TALK ABOUT WANTING TO MAKE THESE KIDS ENTER THE WORKFORCE AND ENTER THE REAL WORLD.

AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT, YOU HAVE TO SHOW THEM WHAT'S GOING ON AND HOW CAN THEY NAVIGATE WHAT'S GOING ON.

WHEN THEY'RE INUNDATED WITH MEDIA BIAS OR FAKE NEWS OR AI NOWADAYS, YOU HAVE TO TRY TO PREPARE THEM FOR WHAT COMES NEXT AND HOW DO I, YOU KNOW, SEE MYSELF IN THIS WORLD.

>> HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF, HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

>> THERE'S A FEW WAYS.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE -- GOSH, I ALMOST SAY IT'S LIKE COMPANION FARMING WHERE YOU HAVE THESE SPRINKLE THINGS THROUGHOUT, AND IT KIND OF BUILDS LIKE THIS BIGGER KIND OF GARDEN WHERE YOU HAVE TO MEET THE KIDS ON THEIR LEVEL AND SEE LIKE WHAT'S AN AUTHENTIC WAY THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY RELATE TO THIS WORK AND SEE THEMSELVES IN IT.

I KNOW MY COWORKER, HE TALKS ABOUT LIKE BUILDING A WINDOW INTO THE PAST.

AND I KIND OF USE THAT, AS WELL, OF THESE FIGURES AREN'T JUST PEOPLE FROM BEFORE, BUT THEY'RE PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME AND THEY HAVE THOSE INSECURITIES AND THOSE VALUES, AND ONCE THEY SEE THAT, THEY CAN KIND OF ENGAGE IN THE NEW WORLD.

>> AND YOU HAVE TO CHANNEL THE ENERGY WITH THOSE LITTLE FOLKS TOO.

THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF ENERGY YOU GOTTA GET IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> AHA.

>> AND I THINK YOU SAID YOU WANT YOUR STUDENTS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THEMSELVES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> WE HAD THAT IN ESSENTIAL CRISIS OF WHO AM I AND WHAT IS MY PURPOSE AND WHERE DO I FIT IN WITH THE GREATER GRAND SCHEME OF THE COUNTRY?

IF THEY CAN HAVE THESE MOMENTS WHERE -- LIKE TAKE THIS INTERVIEW, WE HAVE CERTAIN QUESTIONS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO ASK AND TALK ABOUT BUT IF YOU JUST BREATHE AND GO OFF SCRIPT FOR A SECOND AND BRING IT INTO A CLASSROOM, IT KIND OF GETS EXCITING, KIND OF THE BUTTERFLIES AGAIN, WHERE IT'S KIND OF FUN, SO THAT THEY COMPANY KIND OF RECOGNIZE WHO THEY ARE.

>> CAN YOU TELL WHEN THEY'RE CONNECTING OR WHEN YOU'RE JUST NOT THERE YET?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK IN A CLASSROOM, THEY KIND OF SEE WHERE THEY'RE JUST NODDING ALONG BUT SOME OF THE KIDS ARE LIKE SPONGES AND THEY CAN REALLY SOAK IT IN AND COME BACK A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER AND SAY LIKE CAN WE GO BACK TO THAT DISCUSSION?

>> OH, THAT'S GREAT.

VERY REWARDING.

>> HOW DID YOU GET INTO TEACHING?

>> I DIDN'T WANT TO AT FIRST.

I JUST LIED AND SAID TEACHING SOUNDED LIKE A GOOD PROFESSION TO GO INTO.

AND WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE A LOT OF THESE PHILOSOPHERS, WHETHER IT WAS LIKE VIC ENSTEIN OR SHOWENHAUR OR RUSSO KIND OF REFLECTED ON WHAT I WAS THINKING, LIKE THE INSECURITIES OF THE WORLD AND WHY IS THE WORLD THE WAY IT IS, AND THESE GUYS ARE LIKE HERE'S WHAT WE THINK, AND THAT REALLY MADE ME THINK, I WAS LIKE, OH, MY GOD, SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS BECAUSE I ALMOST MISS IT, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE WORRIED HOW DO I CHANGE THE WORLD AND LOOKING AROUND THEM, I WANTED TO EQUIP THEM WITH SKILLS THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY USE GOING FORWARD.

>> I WAS GOING TO JOKE ABOUT YOU HAVING YOUR OWN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS, BURP KIND OF A TROUBLED STUDENT, WEREN'T YOU?

YOU HAD YOUR PROBLEMS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT?

>> I THINK CAN BE A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS WITH, THE ENVIRONMENT, HOW YOU'RE GROWING UP AND NOT BEING ENGAGED IN SCHOOL AT ALL.

AND SO I THINK JUST BETWEEN FIGHTS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL AND NOT REALLY FITTING IN, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS LITTLE MAN'S SYNDROME OR WHAT IT WAS, I WAS LIKE 80 POUNDS ON THE WRESTLING TEAM AND A 20 POUND DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND THE NEXT GUY, RIGHT.

SO KIND OF EVERYBODY'S CULTIVATING TOGETHER TO THIS ISLAND THAT I WAS ON, AND I REALLY COULDN'T REACH OUT TO ANY TEACHERS EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO REACH OUT TO ME, AND THEY JUST COULDN'T REACH.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK BACK, ARE THERE TEACHERS NOW WHERE YOU GO, THIS IS WHAT I WANT -- THIS IS WHO I WANT TO MODEL MYSELF AFTER?

>> KIND OF, YEAH.

I THINK THE BEST PARTS OF TEACH OF MY TEACHERS AND REALLY TRY TO BE LIKE -- LIKE THE FACT THAT THEY NEVER GAVE UP, EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THEM WERE CHASE ON THEIR BIKES WHEN I WAS WALKING ON CROSS-COUNTRY TEAMS, COME ON DUDE, YOU GOTTA KEEP GOING.

SO DEFINITELY A FEW.

>> SO YOU'VE BECOME A TEACHER, GOT YOUR EXISTENTIAL CRISIS OUT OF THE WAY, YOU'RE A TEACHER, A LOT OF TEACHERS OUT THERE, WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WERE A GOOD TEACHER?

>> I DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT I WOULD SAY THAT NOW.

>> YOU JUST WON AN AWARD.

>> I THINK, YEAH, THE FACT THAT EVERY -- I DON'T JUST HAVE LIKE A DRAWER THAT I'M PULLING THINGS OUT OF, THIS IS WHAT I DID LAST YEAR.

WE'RE MODIFYING EVERYTHING, AND LETTING THE KIDS KIND OF GUY THAT INQUIRY-BASED ACTIVITY, I THINK IS REALLY WHERE YOU ARE ABLE TO ADJUST THE CLASSROOM, AND LET THAT TAKE NEW ONE DIRECTION INSTEAD OF BEING LIKE THIS IS WHAT WE'RE DOING AID FROM BELL TO BELL.

BUT JUST RECOGNIZE, ALL RIGHT, THESE ARE PEOPLE TOO.

>> BUT THERE'S NO LIGHT BULB AHA MOMENT WHERE YOU RECOGNIZE THAT?

>> NO.

>> YOU'RE STILL WAIT FOR THAT?

>> I'M STILL WAIT FOR THAT.

>> 2025 TEACHER OF YEAR STILL WAITING FOR CONFILMS.

>> EVERY DAY.

>> AND YOU'VE GOT A PLAN TO GO TO THE WHITE HOUSE, A SPACE THING GOING ON.

YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF BENEFITS FROM THIS, RIGHT?

>> AHA.

AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT CONNECTIONS KEEP GROWING WHETHER IT'S IN D.C. OR -- I THINK IT'S IN ALABAMA IS WHAT THE -- >> THE SPACE CAMP.

>> YEAH.

SO IT'S REALLY INCREDIBLE.

I DON'T THINK I WOULD EVER HAVE GUESSED THAT I'D BE IN ANY OF THOSE SPOTS.

>> AND YOU'VE GOT ABOUT 15 SECONDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS.

>> IT'S LIKE A CARD GAME THAT IS BUILT OFF OF WHAT I LOVED AS A KID.

JUST REIMAGINING HISTORIC FIGURES THAT ARE JUST NAMES, BUT HOW DO WE ENVISION THEM IN OUR DREAMS AND BRINGING THAT TO REALITY.

>> WELL, YOU'RE A BUSY MAN, EMMETT, AND A SUCCESSFUL MAN.

CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING THE 2025 TEACHER OF THE YEAR, AND THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I AM TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.