Owayawa Cistidaƞ Wauƞspewic̣akiya Oiṭaƞc̣aƞ Akita (Kindergarten Teacher Candidate)

Title: Owayawa Cistidaƞ Wauƞspewic̣akiya Oiṭaƞc̣aƞ Akita (Kindergarten Teacher Candidate)

Wage: $25.00

Position: Full Time Temporary (Grant ends 06/30/2028)

Summary: Under the direction of the Dakota Iapi Wauƞspewic̣akiya Itaƞc̣aƞ, with assistance provided by the Master Speaker and C̣aƞṡayapi NISN School Fellows, the Owayawa Cistidaƞ Wauƞspewic̣akiya Oiṭaƞc̣aƞ Akita will learn and develop as a teacher to increase the number of Elementary Licensed Dakota Language Immersion Teachers on the Lower Sioux who will develop a scaffolded Dakota Language K Curriculum for K Learners at the Lower Sioux’s New Dakota Language Content-Based School opening in 2030. 

Duties:

1. Enroll in the Education Minnesota Native Teacher Pathway to obtain Elementary Teacher licensure by Fall of 2029.
2. Begin Teacher Pathway courses and complete all field work hours at Cedar Mountain Elementary.
3. Enroll in CWOO Dakota Language Apprenticeship Program to obtain a Dakota Language Teacher licensure by Summer 2028.
4. Begin Dakota Language Teacher Apprenticeship and complete all field work hours at CWOO.
5. Review research on best practices in indigenous and history education for K-1 learners and Develop bibliography of existing Dakota curricula and existing CWOO curriculum.
6. Visit and review land-based schools and curriculum in Minnesota, such as Red Lake and Visit sacred and historic sites around Minnesota relevant to Dakota history, culture, and language.
7. Grow knowledge of Land-based learning, the Lower Sioux 10-Year Education Plan, and the Lower Sioux K-4^th grade Implementation Plan through professional development to understand curriculum and teaching and learning for the Lower Sioux Dakota Language Content Based Learning New School.
8. Develop outline for K-1 curriculum with first-language teacher and Gather feedback from community elders, peer reviewers, and language mentors on curriculum outline.
9. Work with first-language teacher & language mentors to begin translating outline into Dakota and develop a plan for its completion.
10. Complete K curriculum, teacher’s guide, and companion adult workbook and Obtain 2 peer reviews on these Dakota language materials for K.
11. Pilot curriculum at Cedar Mountain Elementary in nearby Franklin, Minnesota.
12. Finalize K curriculum.
13. Learn Dakota Language with the Master Speaker and Dakota Language Teacher to grow fluency level to speak language with the children, families, and staff;
14. Speak Language to continue growing Immersion Capacity.
15. Work closely with the Master Speaker, NISN School Fellows, and Dakota Iapi Wauƞspewic̣akiya Iṭaƞc̣aƞ to develop curricula, Dakota language, and Teaching Practices in the classroom;
16. Obtain Mid-Year and End of Year Fluency Assessment conducted by Master Speaker and University of Minnesota.
17. Perform the functions of this position with compliance of the State Standards and Minnesota Charter School Standards and the component plans; and thorough knowledge and application of Developmentally Appropriate Practices;
18. Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the center, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children;
19. Assist with communication updates to help update School Board, Community, and Grant.
20. Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Teacher Professional Development Plan;
21. Assure that files are complete, accurate, and confidentially maintained; and
22. Perform other duties, as may be required.

Education: Degree in Elementary Education. If the Teacher Candidate does not have, the tribe will work with them to obtain this credential through enrolling them in the Education Minnesota Grow Your Own Dakota Language Elementary Teacher Pathway with Bemidji State University set to receive Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Licensure in Elementary Education by Fall 2029.

Experience:

Have knowledge and experience working in Tribal Communities, with children, and Dakota Language and Lifeways, or an interest in the principals. Proof of a physical examination within the last six months or will receive one upon hire, which includes a tuberculosis test, and comply with other background checks as required by the Agency and/or licensing respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities; and have education or experience in collaborating with parents in the education of their children.

Disclaimer:

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.  While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management and Community Tribal Council reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technical developments).     

In accepting employment, I am agreeing to perform the duties and responsibilities listed above.  In addition, I agree to adhere to any policy or procedure changes that may occur during my employment with the Lower Sioux Indian Community.