Igniting Your Personal and Professional Growth

Describe one or two, specific learning experiences from your fellowship. In words, show us this experience and explain why it was powerful.

The highlight of my Fellowship was hearing Peter MacDonald speak at the National Code Talkers Day event. Mr. MacDonald, at 94, is the youngest of the three living Code Talkers. He told the story of his enlistment at the age of 15 and the pride he felt in being Navajo and wearing the Marine Corps uniform. During his speech, he implored the Navajo youth to continue learning, protecting, and using the Navajo language despite its challenges because language is the key to sovereignty.

What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn professionally?

My Fellowship reinforced the importance of self-discovery and lessons presenting themselves. My experience initially concentrated on enhancing my understanding of Code Talkers, which evolved into a story of the preservation of language, culture, and identity that is still challenging today. When experiencing new cultures, we cannot rely solely on academics studying from a distance. It is critical to interact with communities directly to ensure that shared knowledge is culturally relevant.

What were some unplanned or unexpected experiences or outcomes of your fellowship? Or, how did the fellowship you crafted differ from the actual learning experience?

As I spoke to members of the Navajo Nation, I began to question my qualifications to teach about the Code Talkers' story. This was not due to any unfavorable reception of my fellowship; quite the opposite, everyone I interacted with was welcoming and willing to share their knowledge. My concern revolved around doing justice to their culture, community, and the Code Talkers. Ultimately, it will drive me to deepen my learning and seek experts to share their stories.

Impacting Your Classroom, School and Community

Outline specific plans you have to implement your fellowship and reach your student goals.

The experiences I have returned with will allow me to provide authentic insight and perspectives to increase and enhance my students' comprehension within our Code Talker unit. I have gathered a variety of vetted, leveled texts to enrich academic discussions among students of varying ability levels. Most importantly, I have created relationships with people who can offer a cultural background vastly different from my students and foster a climate of understanding.

What is one way you can leverage your fellowship to create one authentic learning experience for students? (e.g. hands-on learning, projects, community engagement)

Through the relationships I have made on my fellowship, my students and I will pursue a greater understanding of how the lives of the Code Talkers have impacted Navajo youth today and how the community continues to honor their ancestors and preserve their language and identity. I hope those who have offered to support my student's learning will be able to share stories and experiences virtually to create a dialogue that fosters cultural understanding and connection.

How, specifically, will your fellowship extend beyond your classroom? (e.g. families, school-at-large, afterschool groups, surrounding community, colleagues, etc.)

My Fund For Teachers Fellowship has only enhanced my desire to explore and foster a sense of intellectual curiosity with my colleagues. The opportunity it provides for teachers to enrich their learning and share the inspiration of self-study rekindles much of the excitement that brought many of us into teaching. Each time I share my experience with a fellow teacher, the response is one of curiosity and wonder as they ponder their future proposal.

Inspiring the Future

What change(s) did you make in your classroom or community this year because of your fellowship learning?

The learning and growth opportunities afforded to me by fellowship allowed my students to make deeper connections to our text Code Talker. Within the class, we were able to dive deeper into the experiences of the Navajo before WWII. This investigative process allowed my students a stronger understanding of the importance of culture and identity and how it strengthened Navajo soldiers who would serve as Code Talkers. We extended that approach to our study of Japanese Internment Camps as well.

How did your change(s) impact students?

My students learned that the book, Code Talker, is not just a war story. Through learning more about the Navajo experience they connected the historical significance of cultural pride despite governmental oppression. Students identified similarities between the Navajo experience and those of Japanese-Americans in WWII and Black Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. Most importantly, studying historical events has allowed our students to look at contemporary issues with an open mind.

In what ways was this opportunity transformative for your teaching?

This fellowship has created a new sense of cultural awareness in my teaching. At one point in my journey, I had serious questions about my qualifications to share the Navajo story. As I have always thought that important stories were intended to be shared, my time with the Navajo Nation made me aware of the importance of cultural protocols and protecting sacred practices. There is an element of consent that must be honored when sharing the experiences of others.