Middle School/High School Dakota Language Teacher

About the role

The Dakota Culture and Language Teacher will teach Dakota language and culture at secondary sites, with a focus on developing students' linguistic skills, cultural identity, and a sense of belonging.

Responsibilities

• Support the preservation and revitalization of the Dakota language through authentic, community-connected practices
• Incorporate Dakota cultural teachings, storytelling, and land-based learning into instruction
• Collaborate with Dakota elders, cultural advisors, and community members to ensure authenticity and respect
• Maintain and monitor student progress in language proficiency using various assessments
• Provide timely, meaningful feedback to students and families
• Use data to inform instruction and support continuous improvement
• Collaborate with colleagues to align curriculum, share practices, and support interdisciplinary learning
• Participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and ongoing professional development
• Engage families and community partners in supporting student learning
• Create a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment rooted in relationship-building
• Establish clear expectations that promote student engagement and responsibility
• Design and deliver standards-aligned Dakota language instruction
• Develop culturally relevant curriculum that integrates Dakota history, traditions, values, and contemporary perspectives
• Use a variety of instructional strategies to support language acquisition (speaking, listening, reading, and writing)
• Differentiate instruction to meet diverse student needs, including multilingual learners and students with varying levels of prior exposure

Requirements

This position requires fluency in the Dakota language (speaking and listening; reading/writing preferred), a valid MN teaching license or eligibility to obtain licensure in Dakota or American Indian Language and Culture, knowledge of Dakota culture, history, and community practices, and familiarity with language revitalization frameworks and immersion or proficiency-based instruction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in education discipline applicable to teaching assignment
• Masters Degree in related area preferred
• Successful prior foreign language teaching experience a plus