Post by blackcrowheart on Jun 13, 2007 14:41:30 GMT -5
Senate Bill 887 Looks to Increase Native American Teachers in New Mexico
www.unm.edu/~market/cgi-bin/archives/001746.html
<http://www.unm.edu/~market/cgi-bin/archives/001746.html>
Sen. John Pinto, a member of the Navajo Nation, recently introduced a
state bill aimed at increasing the number of Native American teachers in
New Mexico. If passed, SB 887 will provide $4 million to the University
of New Mexico to continue scholarships for Native American students
pursuing teaching degrees, administrative licenses or a graduate degree
with a concentration in Indian education.
Although the New Mexico Native American population is approximately 11
percent, only 2 percent of teachers are Native Americans. Senator
Pinto's Senate Bill 887 will continue the Institute for American
Indian Education (IAIE)
Scholarship Program, which began in 2004. IAIE is housed in the
Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies Department of the College
of Education. IAIE is funded by grants from the State of New Mexico.
After a concentrated three years of undergraduate and graduate
education, approximately 50 Native Americans teachers who received IAIE
Scholarships are now class room teachers or administrators or soon will
be.
The IAIE Scholarship Program fills a needed gap in assisting New Mexico
Native American college students financially. Most of the Native
American students pursuing careers in teaching and education are older,
non-traditional students. They range in age from 25 to 58 years of age.
Many of them have been in the classroom for many years working as
Teachers or Educational Assistants. They are now under a severe deadline
to meet No Child Left Behind requirements.
As older students, they do not qualify for the New Mexico Lottery
Scholarship Program. Due to limited outreach to native communities on
Scholarship opportunities and the lack of Internet connectivity in
tribal communities, many native students do not have access to
scholarship applications.
In addition to providing scholarships, IAIE provides mentorship
opportunities for Native American students. IAIE is comprised of 6
Native American faculty and 2 emeriti Native American faculty. Mentoring
services are key factors in retention and academic success. Numerous
studies indicate that awareness of opportunities and mentoring leads to
successful outcomes at all levels of education.
One of the most innovative and effective mentoring activities is the
IAIE Saturday Scholar Classes, which is a combined
undergraduate/graduate class. The Saturday classes cover current trends
and issues in Indian Education, such as the Indian Education Act, Native
American Language Act and Native American Charter Schools, and the Self
Determination Act. The Saturday Scholar classes provide a forum for
discussion and dialogue between faculty and students.
Sen. Pinto is a graduate of UNM receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree
in 1963 and a Masters Degree in 1970 in Elementary Education. He was
elected to the New Mexico Senate District 3 for San Juan and McKinley
counties in 1976. He has served on the Senate Indian and Cultural
Affairs, Conservation, Economic and Rural Development,
Telecommunications and the Welfare Reform Oversight Committees.
Currently he is the Chairman of the Indian and Cultural Affairs
Committee.
Sen. Pinto has been responsible for legislature initiatives from highway
construction, education, health, water development, treatment centers
and a ban on uranium mining on the Navajo reservation. He also supports
environmental issues, family and children issues, government reform,
labor, business, consumers, animal protection and wildlife issues.
This year Sen. Pinto is honored for his 30 years as a New Mexico Senator
and his service to the people of New Mexico. Gov. Bill Richardson, Lt.
Gov. Diane Denish, Veronica Tiller and Michelle Brown-Yazzie will honor
him at a dinner later this month in Santa Fe. Several IAIE students and
faculty will attend the event thanking him for his leadership.
www.unm.edu/~market/cgi-bin/archives/001746.html
<http://www.unm.edu/~market/cgi-bin/archives/001746.html>
Sen. John Pinto, a member of the Navajo Nation, recently introduced a
state bill aimed at increasing the number of Native American teachers in
New Mexico. If passed, SB 887 will provide $4 million to the University
of New Mexico to continue scholarships for Native American students
pursuing teaching degrees, administrative licenses or a graduate degree
with a concentration in Indian education.
Although the New Mexico Native American population is approximately 11
percent, only 2 percent of teachers are Native Americans. Senator
Pinto's Senate Bill 887 will continue the Institute for American
Indian Education (IAIE)
Scholarship Program, which began in 2004. IAIE is housed in the
Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies Department of the College
of Education. IAIE is funded by grants from the State of New Mexico.
After a concentrated three years of undergraduate and graduate
education, approximately 50 Native Americans teachers who received IAIE
Scholarships are now class room teachers or administrators or soon will
be.
The IAIE Scholarship Program fills a needed gap in assisting New Mexico
Native American college students financially. Most of the Native
American students pursuing careers in teaching and education are older,
non-traditional students. They range in age from 25 to 58 years of age.
Many of them have been in the classroom for many years working as
Teachers or Educational Assistants. They are now under a severe deadline
to meet No Child Left Behind requirements.
As older students, they do not qualify for the New Mexico Lottery
Scholarship Program. Due to limited outreach to native communities on
Scholarship opportunities and the lack of Internet connectivity in
tribal communities, many native students do not have access to
scholarship applications.
In addition to providing scholarships, IAIE provides mentorship
opportunities for Native American students. IAIE is comprised of 6
Native American faculty and 2 emeriti Native American faculty. Mentoring
services are key factors in retention and academic success. Numerous
studies indicate that awareness of opportunities and mentoring leads to
successful outcomes at all levels of education.
One of the most innovative and effective mentoring activities is the
IAIE Saturday Scholar Classes, which is a combined
undergraduate/graduate class. The Saturday classes cover current trends
and issues in Indian Education, such as the Indian Education Act, Native
American Language Act and Native American Charter Schools, and the Self
Determination Act. The Saturday Scholar classes provide a forum for
discussion and dialogue between faculty and students.
Sen. Pinto is a graduate of UNM receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree
in 1963 and a Masters Degree in 1970 in Elementary Education. He was
elected to the New Mexico Senate District 3 for San Juan and McKinley
counties in 1976. He has served on the Senate Indian and Cultural
Affairs, Conservation, Economic and Rural Development,
Telecommunications and the Welfare Reform Oversight Committees.
Currently he is the Chairman of the Indian and Cultural Affairs
Committee.
Sen. Pinto has been responsible for legislature initiatives from highway
construction, education, health, water development, treatment centers
and a ban on uranium mining on the Navajo reservation. He also supports
environmental issues, family and children issues, government reform,
labor, business, consumers, animal protection and wildlife issues.
This year Sen. Pinto is honored for his 30 years as a New Mexico Senator
and his service to the people of New Mexico. Gov. Bill Richardson, Lt.
Gov. Diane Denish, Veronica Tiller and Michelle Brown-Yazzie will honor
him at a dinner later this month in Santa Fe. Several IAIE students and
faculty will attend the event thanking him for his leadership.