In an educational landscape that rarely reflects the presence of American Indian teachers, scholars, and educational leaders, Waadookodaading is a shining example of transformative education in practice. All of the lead classroom teachers at Waadookodaading have earned or are in the process of earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, and all administrative staff have earned Master’s degrees in Education or related fields. The entire staff (100%) of the school are enrolled members or descendants of Ojibwe tribal nations in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Waadookodaading has inspired the community to aspire to educational achievement. Ojibwe students are currently enrolled in teacher training programs with the explicit goal of becoming certified teachers fluent in the Ojibwe language so they can return to Lac Courte Oreilles to teach at Waadookodaading. Parents and consultants are currently working on their terminal degrees in linguistics and education with a focus on Ojibwe language immersion as a means of supporting Waadookodaading. Parents who previously moved off reservation to pursue careers, education, and a livelihood, and even those from other reservations and urban areas, have moved back to the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation so they can send their children to Waadookodaading. They bring their experience, education, and purchasing power back to the area, positively impacting the social and financial economy of our region.