Native American Studies and Cultural Education Teacher

Position Purpose

To provide instruction in Native American Studies while supporting Native American students through culturally responsive choice ready efforts. This position promotes academic achievement, cultural identity, school connectedness, and successful completion of graduation requirements through collaboration with students, families, and school staff.

Responsibilities

• Native American Studies and Cultural Education Priority: Essential | Percent of Time: 60%
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with students, families, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Delivers district-approved Native American Studies curriculum aligned with North Dakota Academic Standards, the North Dakota Native American Essential Understandings, and established learning goals.
• Plans and implements instruction that is culturally responsive and meets the diverse needs, interests, abilities, and backgrounds of students.
• Creates and maintains a safe, positive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment that honors Native American cultures, histories, sovereignty, contemporary experiences, and contributions.
• Establishes and maintains effective classroom management practices consistent with district and building expectations.
• Utilizes a variety of instructional strategies, resources, and technologies to support student learning and cultural understanding.
• Affords assessments and monitors student academic and social growth, maintaining accurate records and reports.
• Maintains regular communication with students and families regarding student learning, progress, and support needs.
• Supports district Native American education initiatives and promotes awareness of Native American history, cultures, and contemporary issues.
• Collaborates with the Native American Education Coordinator and school staff to support student success and culturally responsive educational practices.
• Supports the implementation of district policies, procedures, and expectations related to student learning and conduct.
• Maintains safe and responsible use of facilities, equipment, and instructional materials.
• Participates in required district training, professional learning, and continuous professional growth activities.
• Demonstrates reliable attendance and fulfills professional responsibilities on time.
• Student Success Coaching and Graduation Support Priority: Essential | Percent of Time: 40%
• Maintain an assigned group of students and provide culturally responsive graduation planning support, including monitoring attendance, credit attainment, Choice Ready indicators, and progress toward graduation.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized student success plans, including postsecondary and career planning, to support engagement, persistence, graduation, and postsecondary readiness.
• Conduct outreach and re-engagement efforts with students who have disengaged from school, are at risk of not graduating on time, or are transitioning to or from a residential placement.
• Collaborate with students, families, school staff, and community partners to identify barriers to success, coordinate supports and interventions and connect students with appropriate resources.
• Participate in student support, attendance, intervention, restorative practices, and problem-solving meetings as appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in education or related field, Valid North Dakota Teaching License, Knowledge of Native American cultures, histories, tribal sovereignty, and contemporary issues affecting Native American communities, Knowledge of culturally responsive instructional practices and strategies that support student engagement, achievement, and success, Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, staff, cultural communities, and community partners, Strong communication, organizational, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound professional judgment, and uphold district policies and applicable laws

Reports to

The incumbent performs tasks under the direction of a certified teacher and responds to day-to-day needs, answer questions, and responds to emergent issues. Non-emergent issues are discussed with the Teacher or Building Principal. The incumbent takes initiative to ensure completion of all tasks and will adjust priorities to accommodate competing workload demands.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.