This article profiles teacher Leroy Silva (Laguna), 27, a.k.a. "Buster". Silva describes himself as an active guy who stays busy working out, playing basketball, softball, and more recently golf, soccer, and lacrosse. He teaches personal wellness and sports (not physical education), a job he began in 2006. Before that he was a trainer at the Laguna Pueblo Wellness Center, his first job after graduating from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. He earned two degrees at Haskell: an Associate Degree in Health, Physical Education, and Athletics in 2003 and a Bachelor's Degree in American Indian Studies in 2005. Although he didn't plan to become a teacher, Silva says he has always known he wanted to make a difference with youth. When he began exploring the Native American Community Academy (NACA) position he spent two weeks deliberating before finally taking the leap at the urging of his mother, Joan Silva. Since he didn't major in education, Silva is working on alternative licensure by developing a portfolio that addresses New Mexico state teaching competencies. Kara L. Bobroff (Lakota/Navajo), the founding principal of NACA, says Silva is a strong role model for the students. He emulates the core values, mission, and vision of the school: college success, knowing his own culture and language, practicing personal wellness, and being committed to community and service.