Sec. 427 of GEPA
Northern Arizona University does not discriminate on the
basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability in its
admissions, employment or educational activities. It abides by the requirements
of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 Title XI and Title XII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. Northern Arizona
University's Safe Working and Learning employment policy further guarantees
equality in the workplace. The Graduate Minority Opportunities Programs and
the Native American Institute at NAU assist students from diverse backgrounds
to achieve their academic, social and cultural goals.
A new bilingual teacher is not always a young one. Mentor
teachers and project staff will support bilingual fellows of all ages as they
make the transition from the role of paraprofessional to the role of teacher
in their community and assist them with gaining a sense of empowerment in their
new role as a bilingual professional.
The Master's program in Bilingual Multicultural Education
at Northern Arizona University was established in 1980. Currently the Center
for Excellence offers coursework leading to an endorsement in Bilingual Education
(21 hours). This coursework can be applied to an M.Ed. in BME with a bilingual
emphasis (36 hours). Since 1995 Northern Arizona University has awarded a M.Ed.
in BME to 27 Native American students. Currently 261 students are enrolled in
the graduate program. 43 of these Master's students are Navajo bilingual teachers.
In 1994 and 1995 the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Language Affairs
sponsored two Stabilizing Indigenous Languages symposiums at Northern Arizona
University. At these two symposiums teachers and community activists spoke about
bilingual education programs in Native American communities.
Two mentor teachers will be selected from each of the consortium
sites and will meet monthly with Bilingual Fellows and the project staff to
develop Navajo language curriculum using the Diné Language and Culture
Framework. By meeting on a regular basis with project teachers and mentor teachers
in a community-based setting, the program will enhance the skills and knowledge
of higher education faculty to better prepare all teachers in content and pedagogy
related to the needs of LEP students.
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