Ti’tooqan Cuukweneewit

WSU receives grant to help recruit Native teachers and education administrators

The Washington State University College of Education has received a four-year grant worth almost $400,000, from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Indian Education (OIE).

The OIE has funded about 20 Indian Professional Development Awards in 2016. The grant provides support for the recruitment of Native teachers and education administrators, as well as give training to other individuals in professions that serve American Indians. Increasing the number of highly qualified Native educators at all levels is a national priority. Per the OIE, the grant will also improve the skills of those qualified American Indi­ans who already serve in educational capacities. These educators will then participate in programs increasingly focused on Indian education, research, and practices.

The project, Ti’tooqan Cuukweneewit, will be managed by WSU’s Clearinghouse on Native Teaching and Learning. In carrying out the project goals, the Clearinghouse will focus on the recruitment, retention, and successful graduation and induction of Native teacher educators and administrators. Those individuals will then receive mentoring, financial support, and the opportunity to attend seminars and summer institutes on culturally-responsive curriculum and teaching practices.

This project builds on previous work the college has integrated into local public schools and class­rooms located on traditional Nez Perce homelands. This newest project is based on significant consultation and partnership between the Clearinghouse and local school districts and tribal communities, and recognizes that these communities can best:

• Identify key barriers and opportunities for improving educational outcomes that addresses the need for Native teachers and education administrators.
• Build on relational education initiatives that are implemented through local solutions.

The award will support a coordinated and focused approach chosen by community partnerships that includes tribal, local schools and service providers and agencies.

Project Director renee holt (Diné/Nez Perce) will visit local MOU tribal nation reservations in an effort to pro­vide outreach and share information on the Ti’tooqan Cuukweneewit project.

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Contact: renée holt – 509-335-3478 – rcholt@wsu.edu