Overview
The Education Programs Professional (EPP) position was enacted in 1997, through AB266, which authorized funding to support a Consultant position on Indian Education.The EPP provides technical assistance and direction to school districts and schools, as well as collaborates with tribes and organizations throughout Nevada to ensure student achievement for American Indian (AI) students.
Events
The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) provides statewide activities throughout the year:
Spring: Annual American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) Education Summit-March 17-18, 2014
Spring: Pesa Namanedu Award presented during the AIAN Ed. Summit -
Summer: Lesson Plan Writing Retreat- June 19-21, 2013, reserve your spot here.
Fall: Workshops- Dates to be announced.
Milestones
In October 2012, Nevada State Board of Education adopted the History and Contemporary Lifestyles of the Northern Paiute, Southern Paiute, Washoe and Western Shoshone Curriculum Guide, a Resource for Teachers.The groundwork for Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 389.150, Programs and Curricula for American Indians, was begun with dedicated individuals who recognized the need to design programs and curricula to meet the unique educational needs of AI students.
In June 2012, the first Lesson Plan Writing Retreat was provided.Educators participated in developing and creating lesson plans based on Common Core State Standards and Nevada State Standards.In partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno’s (UNR) Center for Student Cultural Diversity and the Nevada Indian Commission (NIC), the NDE holds an annual American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) Education Summit in the spring.The Summit offers training to Nevada’s educators, and provides information and resources on the tribes in Nevada.
In conjunction with the AIAN Education Summit’s Planning Committee, the Nevada Department of Education presents the Pesa Namanedu Award to honor American Indian educators in the state of Nevada who have made significant contributions toward Indian Education.
Pesa Namanedu Awardees 2010-2013:
In 2013, we presented two Pesa Namanedu Awards:
The first was presented to individuals who contributed to the development and inclusion of the Northern Paiute language curriculum Numu Yadooana, in the Washoe County School District (WCSD).The WCSD was recognized, along with the WCSD Indian Education Program: Sheryl Hicks, Rebecca Morrison, Anthony Abbie, Bernadette Sharpfish, and tribal elders: Ralph Burns, Reynelda James, Helena Melendez, Jeannette Allen, Lois Kane.There were many others who made this a reality, thank you.
The second award was presented to Ms. Stacey Montooth.The Churchill County School District recognized her contributions in assisting to increase not only the attendance rate, but also the graduation and achievement rate of American Indians in her district.She was also instrumental in assisting the Nevada Department of Education develop the newly adopted History and Contemporary Lifestyles of the Northern Paiute, Southern Paiute, Washoe and Western Shoshone Curriculum Guide.In addition, her school district recognized the work she does with the local tribal education department.
In 2012, the Nevada Department of Education recognized individuals who worked on the Numa, Newe, Nuwuvi, and Wa She Shu Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada books.
In 2011, the Nevada Department of Education recognized individuals who worked on the Great Basin Native American Language Endorsement Committee.
In 2010, the Nevada Department of Education recognized the teachers who wrote the Celebrating Nevada Indian Curriculum.