• 2007 Grant Awards

• 2006 Grant Awards

• 2005 Grant Awards

2007 Project Profiles

Diné College - Center for Diné Teacher Education
Tsaile, AZ

The Navajo School Administrator Preparation Project conducts coursework, mentoring and internships in the first three years, leading to a Master's degree in Educational Administration and Arizona teacher licensure. The final year of the project focuses on induction for each participant employed within a school on the Navajo Nation. This project supports15 teachers in K - 12 schools on the Navajo Nation. Throughout the project, Navajo instructors will engage students in culturally relevant issues, social responsibility and community service through action research projects, internships, and other coursework.
Project duration: 48 months, 7/01/07 - 6/30/11
Contact: Janel Hinrichsen (928) 724-6703

Diné College - Center for Diné Teacher Education
Tsaile, AZ

The Integrity and Distinctiveness Model is a collaborative effort of Dine College and Arizona State University. The model supports 45 individuals to achieve a BA degree in Elementary Education (K-8), certification; the final year will include induction. An additional 15 students who already possess a BA and require certification and induction are also supported. The project supports Dine language, history and culture and prepares individuals for employment in a multi-cultural and technological world.
Project duration: 48 months, 7/01/07 - 6/30/11
Contact: Janel Hinrichsen 928-724-6703

Montana State University-Bozeman
Bozeman, MT

The Early Childhood Education Distance Partnership expands an existing network of Montana tribes' Head Start efforts that will result in the graduation of a new cohort of Tribal Head Start teachers with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. The project will support the award of degrees to 20 - 25 current or prospective Head Start employees and will support these graduates through their first year of post-baccalaureate teaching. Students will develop skills in a wide range of early childhood areas as well as skills in assessment to document children's progress, parent/family needs and follow up referrals.
Project duration: 48 months, 7/01/07 - 6/30/11
Contact: Laura Massey at (406) 994-3300

Montana State University-Bozeman
Bozeman, MT

The I LEAD Project is a consortium between the University, Fort Peck Community College and Poplar Public Schools that provides American Indian teachers with access to a graduate degree program in school leadership. The project serves 30 American Indian educators via distance learning and local coursework, seminar and field experiences based on cultural issues, and theory and practice. Academic courses will be team taught by a university instructor and a current administrator from a school with high concentrations of American Indian students. Feedback will be gathered from students, instructors and mentors throughout the project and induction year support will be provided.

Project duration: 48 months, 7/01/07 - 6/30/11
Contact: William Ruff (406) 994-4182

Turtle Mountain Community College
Belcourt, ND

This project supports American Indian students pursuing an Elementary Education degree and ND licensure. Twenty one students will be supported through their first year of teaching. Culturally grounded concepts that emphasize collaboration and teamwork are utilized throughout the project. Activities such as tutoring, computer/counseling and study skills are emphasized. Local schools are also involved as cooperating members in students' preparation by identifying existing teachers to serve as mentors.

Project duration: 48 months, 7/01/07 - 6/30/11
Contact: Les LaFountain (701) 477-7862

University of Northern Colorado
Greely, CO

This project is a collaborative effort between the university and eight school districts to implement training for American Indian paraprofessional employees in the K - 12 partnership schools in Arizona and Colorado. The project supports attainment of a Bachelor degree and teacher licensure in the fields of language arts, mathematics and science, and social studies as well as native language and culture instruction. The project will assist a cohort of at least 18 paraprofessionals to become fully certified in these areas and will include supervision of the induction process for new teachers. Project activities include the writing of curriculum for on-line, on-site, and summer institute instruction.

Project duration: 48 months, 7/01/07 - 6/30/11
Contact: Michael Welsh at (970) 351-2223

University of Oregon
Eugene, OR

The Sapsik'wala Project is a collaborative effort between the University of Oregon and nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon. The project conducts recruitment, pre-service preparation and induction mentorship for American Indian teachers. Participants in this project will earn a master's degree and Oregon teacher licensure. This project serves 15 students in either regular or special education at the elementary or middle/high school levels. It integrates concepts to promote a cultural community, collegial relationships, and a 'communities of practice' approach whereby students share challenges regarding practices arising in the classroom.
Project duration: 48 months, 7/01/07 - 6/30/11
Contact: Patricia Rounds at (541) 346-1056

University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

The Utah American Indian Teacher Training Program provides training, certification, and a one year induction for ten (10) American Indian secondary mathematics and science teachers. Its goals and activities to support the students include: the creation of resource group leaders to assist Indian pre-service teachers in reading and analyzing data to improve student achievement and to use appropriate methodological tools; the creation of a course on American Indian science, math and education that will be institutionalized within the University of Utah; and the development of a series of publications and presentations to assist institutions that are training American Indian teachers.

Project duration: 48 months, 7/01/07 - 6/30/11
Contact: Gwen Mudrow (801) 581-5877
(February 27, 2008)