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    MC3's KnowledgeBases are topical collections of information and resources on specific subject areas. To see available KnowledgeBases, click here.

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KnowledgeBases > The American Indian Education KnowledgeBase > Element 4 > Activity 1 > Task 5: Prepare Educators to Teach American Indian Students

Guideline: Teacher preparation programs face two challenges in preparing educators to teach American Indian students. The first is the need for American Indian educators to serve as role models for their native students. The second is for all teacher preparation programs to prepare their graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to function in a culturally diverse classroom. New teacher graduates need to know how to use culturally appropriate teaching approaches for different groups. Additionally, professional development initiatives for current educators should explore culturally appropriate teaching approaches for different groups. To do so, educators need an understanding of anthropology, sociology, and history as they relate to American Indians.
Tools Teaching and Learning With Native Americans _EXTERNAL_LINK

Intended for non-Native American adult educators teaching adults, this guide may be  helpful for all educators with gaining an understanding of native students.

References Building a Native Teaching Force: Important Considerations

This archived ERIC Digest "reviews important considerations in building a Native teaching force by discussing the rationale for developing a Native teaching force, current challenges, and the Native Educators Research Project."

References Native Education 101: Basic Facts about American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Education _EXTERNAL_LINK

"Native Education 101: Basic Facts about American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Education is the result of a partnership between the National Education Association and the National Indian Education Association. It gives a glimpse into problems faced by Natives in schools and explains the variety of laws and executive orders." 

References New Native Teacher Corps _EXTERNAL_LINK

This article reports on the U.S. Department of Education's previously funded Native Educators Research Project. The project's findings  identify three implications for Native teacher training.

References Preparing Teachers To Support American Indian and Alaska Native Student Success and Cultural Heritage

"This ERIC Digest summarizes literature related to preparing educators to bring about American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) student success and discusses what "success" in life means for Indian students of all ages and their extended families."

References Specialized Knowledge Base for Teaching American Indian and Alaska Native Students _EXTERNAL_LINK

This article proposes a base of knowledge teachers of Native students should possess. Though oriented towards developing teacher preparation programs at tribal colleges it highlights a body of knowledge that may be useful to all teachers of Native students.

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The contents of this website were developed under a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Education. The information presented on this website is intended for general reference purposes only, and information/linked content is not necessarily endorsed by the Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center or the U.S. Department of Education.