Diné Language Cultural Educator - Part-time​/Term Limited

About the NACA Inspired Schools Network (NISN)

The NACA Inspired Schools Network is building schools of excellence and relevance in Indigenous communities. Based on a community-led school development model, NISN seeks to support schools that build on community strengths and center student learning in community, holism, identity development, and academic relevance.

NISN seeks talented individuals from all backgrounds to apply. We are especially interested in self-starting individuals with a growth mindset, practicing vulnerability, deeply believing in engaging communities, and genuinely wanting to see transformation in Indigenous communities.

In 2022, the Native American Community Academy - Inspired Schools network (NISN) was awarded the NMPED-IED Indigenous Language Fellow and the NISN Diné Bizaad Bee Na’nitin Yíhoołaah Mentor + Apprentice program was implemented to develop to increase the Diné language teachers in network schools include NACA and Saad Ki Dilyí in Albuquerque, Six Directions Indigenous Schools in Gallup and Dream Diné in Shiprock.

Also, the program established an agreement with the Navajo Nation-Department of Diné Education (DODE) Office of Standards, Curriculum & Assessment Development (OSCAD) to administer the assessment in Albuquerque twice a year in December and June. The program prepared the potential Diné language teachers to obtain the 520 Native American Language and Culture Certificate by taking the OSCAD Diné Language and Culture Assessment which measures the proficiency of the speaker’s language and comprehension of written and reading a lesson plan in Diné Bizaad.

NISN Diné Bizaad Bee Na’nitin Yíhoołaah Mentor + Apprentice Program is seeking a Diné Language Cultural Educator
. The position supports the Diné language speakers to become certified Diné language teachers, thereby obtaining New Mexico’s 520 Native American Language and Culture certification. The Diné Language Cultural Educator will collaborate with the program team to prepare potential teachers through professional development training to take the language assessment administered by the Navajo Nation Department of Diné Education (DODE). The Diné Language Cultural educator will assist the mentor and apprentice cohorts and communities in engaging and participating in efforts to increase Diné language use in schools and communities.

Be available to the apprentices, attend scheduled meetings, and share cultural knowledge with apprentices.

• Support a total of eight (8) apprentices to complete and attain a 520 certificate and place these apprentices in an educational setting to teach the Dine language.
• Provide professional development to strengthen knowledge of 520 certification standards and effective practices for teaching language and culture.

• Familiarity with designing learning experiences for adult language learners.
• Knowledge of the lifeways of Diné cultural and language.
• Experience working within a preK-12 grade classroom language setting.
• Familiar with computer applications such as Email, Calendar, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, Dropbox and Google Drive.

• To facilitate interactive learning in the Diné lifeways alignment with the land-based with a lesson demonstration in which the Navajo Nation's OSCAD five standards will be taught in hands-on activities. The assessment includes cultural hané to ensure the Diné language and culture teacher has knowledge and is familiar to teach youth and community.
• Familiar with the cultural relevant materials for adult learners. Present the oral language and culture by using interactive activities to support the potential Diné language teachers.
• Support program team to review training materials for Diné fundamental laws, Navajo Nation Government, and culturally relevant to the Diné Language and Culture Assessment.
• For reporting, assist the Program Director with key results every quarter, including sharing lessons learned, listing recommendations, and preparing presentations.

• Date of the signed acceptance letter to June 2026. Opportunity for Part-Time Term Limited renewal upon funding.
• Due to…