Navajo Nation Teacher Education Consortium

1. Navajo Nation Teacher Education Consortium Indian Education Regional Summit Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico January 23, 2007

2. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 2 

3. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 3  Presentation Outline Brief History of Navajo Teacher Education Consortium (NNTEC) Din� College Academic Preparation Significance of Navajo Nation Title X NNTEC Membership and Memorandum of Understanding Questions & Reflections

4. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 4 

5. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 5 History of Collaboration

6. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 6 Why is Din� Teacher Education Important? Din� Teachers know the culture, language and history of the students. Din� Teachers know the community of the students. Din� Teachers know the values of the students. Din� Teachers have high expectations for the students. Din� Teachers have a genuine and sincere interest in the education of Din� students. Din� Teachers know how to modify current curriculum to benefit the students.

7. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 7 Why is Din� Teacher Education Important? Din� Teachers are powerful models for the students. Din� Teachers know the community's socioeconomic situation. Din� Teachers understand the contemporary life style(s) of the students. Din� Teachers quite often are part of the fabric of the community and are closely related to the members of the community where they work. Din� Teachers can teach the significance of K'e relationships. Din� Teachers make it possible for students to walk and live in a sacred manner as Din�.

8. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 8 Challenges for Pre-service Teachers Distance Admissions requirements Lack of Finances for college expenses Family responsibilities, most students worked as teacher aides in schools, but there were also secretaries, bus drivers. Headstart teachers and parents in the community who were interested in pursuing a college degree. No release time from work Lack of confidence in becoming college students No Din� Curriculum available No Din� professors available

9. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 9  Navajo Nation/Ford Teacher Education Program (1991-1996) Goal of 1000 Navajo Teachers in 5 years Recruitment pipeline initiative Required coursework in Navajo language and culture through Din� College Initiated Consortium of Teacher Education Universities (NAU, UNM, PC, FLC, DC, UNC) 700+ program graduates

10. Navajo Nation Teacher Education Consortium

11. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 11  Navajo Nation Teacher Education Consortium: What made this successful? Courses delivered on-site Policy changes made by IHEs and Navajo Nation Part-time scholarships AA degrees approved by member institutions Student tracking system Modification/waiver of entrance examinations Navajo language/culture courses required

12. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 12  Navajo Nation Teacher Education Consortium: What made this successful? Policy changes made by IHEs and Navajo Nation Partnerships and collaborations across IHEs Din� Advisory Councils Din� instructors teaching with IHE professors Release time provided by schools Support of Education Committee and President

13. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 13 Growth in the Number of Navajo Nation Teachers On the Navajo Nation Din� Elementary Teachers: 6% in 1973 60% in 2006 Din� Secondary Teachers: 1 in 1973 25% in 2006

14. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 14 Established in 1968 First Tribal College Federally and Tribally Funded Mission & Philosophy Academic Focus NCA/HLC Accredited Campus, Branch and Regional Centers

15. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 15

16. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 16 Pathways andRelated Majors Liberal Studies Elementary Education Early Childhood Education DC-ASU BA Elementary Education

17. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 17 Core Emphasisfor NNTEC Navajo Language/Bilingual Emphasis (15 credit hours) NAV 211 Navajo Literacy for Speakers I NAV 212 Navajo Literacy and Grammar for Speakers II NAV 301 Navajo Descriptive & Narrative Writing NAV 350 Teaching Navajo to the Native Speaker NAV 351 Teaching Navajo as a Second Language Bilingual Endorsement (9 credit hours) NAV 289 Navajo Linguistics NAV 401 Navajo Grammar and Applied Linguistics NIS 371 Navajo Philosophy Navajo Culture Emphasis (18 credit hours) NIS 111 Foundation of Navajo Culture NIS 220 Navajo Oral History NIS 221 Navajo History to Present NIS 371 Navajo Philosophy NAV 101 Navajo as a Second Language 1 NAV 102 Navajo as a Second Language 2

18. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 18 Center for Din� Teacher Education Majors � Elementary Education & Early Childhood Education Partnership baccalaureate program with Arizona State University since 1988 Application for change in status with HLC to offer Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

19. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 19 Majors in Din� Studies and Navajo Language Proficiency testing in Navajo Language Endorsement for Arizona, New Mexico or both certification Navajo Indian Studies embedded in General Education Application for change in status with HLC to offer Bachelor of Arts in Din� Studies and Navajo Language

20. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 20  Dr. Tommy Lewis, Superintendent Department of Din� Education Significance of Navajo Nation Title X

21. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 21 Mission �It is the educational mission of the Navajo Nation to promote and foster lifelong learning for the Navajo people, and to protect the cultural integrity and sovereignty of the Navajo Nation.� (� 2, Title X, as amended)

22. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 22 Navajo Nation Student Enrollment

23. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 23  Curriculum Initiate review of instructional content and achievement standards Integrate Din� Language & culture standards into instruction program of BIA- funded schools

24. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 24  Credentialing Establish procedures & criteria for licensing administrators Establish procedures and criteria for licensing for Navajo language & culture teachers (endorsement) Develop a Plan to review existing elementary/secondary curricula, teaching & CRT materials for endorsement and making recommendations to SDE Establish Professional Advisory Boards, such as Licensure Review Board & Special Task Forces, to assist with implementation of Title X provisions.

25. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 25  Assessment & Research Research data/information to define AYP for NN Schools. Receive monitoring & evaluation reports that were done on schools the past school year. Establish Navajo Education Information System Research data/information to define AYP for NN Schools.

26. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 26  Governance Negotiate & recommend joint powers agreements, MOA, MOU, with local, states, federal agencies and entities Assure that the NN Dept. of Ed. evolves into a truly state-like Dept. of Ed. as envisioned in Title X. Maintain respectful working partnership with and among NN school systems. Work towards the integration of all schools serving the Navajo Nation into a Department of Education. Develop plans & procedures for assuming control of local grant schools Assume regulatory responsibility for all BIA funded schools

27. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 27

28. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 28 Your commitment? The following questions have been posed to all stake holders and education providers to seek their support: What are you willing to offer the Navajo Nation to reach our goals. What recommendations do you have? How can you help us? Can you partner with us? How can we work together to accomplish the purpose of Title X?

29. Navajo Nation Teacher Education Consortium

30. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 30  Membership Commitments: Attend the NNTEC quarterly meetings Contribute to NNTEC Build capacity Include Din� College language, culture, and history courses Provide direct services Signed MOU

31. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 31  Questions & Reflections

32. January 23, 2007 NNTEC 32  Ah�hee�