Debra K. Abeita was raised in a small community of Crownpoint, New Mexico. Debra tells of many stories about her adventures she experienced during her childhood. She, recalls the many occasions when she and her father Howard Abeita would pack a quick lunch on a Saturday morning. After which, she would grab her exploring tools and begin to explore the mesas that surrounded Crownpoint.

Debra attended Crownpoint Elementary for the most part of her life she especially remembers her Kindergarten teacher Ms. Washington and her 3rd grade teacher Ms. Quinn. She says that they were the most influential people in her elementary years. During the 4th and 5th grade years, Debra was sent to Salt Lake City, Utah. There she attended John C. Freemont Elementary. Located in Taylorsville, Utah, which is on the outskirts of Salt Lake City. She recalls her life there as being a culture shock to not only herself, but also to the community where she resided. Debra reflects that many of her peers often referred to her as having lived in a tee-pee, and wearing feathers. She soon learned that she would have to educate the biligaana. She remembers telling them that she lived in a modern home, and that she was as human as they were.

After completing her education in Salt Lake City, she returned back to the reservation and completed her education at Crownpoint High School. She graduated as one of the top 10 students out of 81 students in 1981. During her High School years, she explains that many times there were obstacles that had to be overcome. She was able to hurdle these obstacles by the most influential teacher of all time, her English teacher, Ms. Jewels.

During the next ten years of her life, Debra explored most of the Western United States, but as most people do, she returned home back to Crownpoint, New Mexico. In the summer of 1985 she meet her future husband, Eddie Albino Gonzalez. Soon after, she giggles and reflects, “We couldn’t afford a television set, so we had to entertain ourselves.” Debra tells of her 6 beautiful children who were all conceived during that time of hardship. She goes onto to say her children have a very unique personality as well as their special name. She also expresses that she has taken custody of her youngest addition, Nizhoni’ Buckinghorse.

Currently, Debra is a part time student at UNM-Gallup. She is working towards her Bachelors Degree in Education. She plans on completeing her studies by the year 2003.

The following are a few links which might assist every teacher/educator in the process of assisting the Bilingual Educated student.