Navajo Cultural Perspectives on Child Development and Teaching
Recorded April 7, 2021
During this three-hour workshop, Sandra Freeland and Verdie Martinez introduced culturally responsive teaching methods for Navajo children and families and explained how to use the Navajo language to bridge positive language development with parents and children. Strategies for engaging families in the literacy process were provided.
This workshop was presented in the Navajo Language.
View a recording of the workshop
See what participants said about this workshop
About the Presenters
Sandra Freeland, MA has 37 years of experience in early literacy education as a Gallup-McKinley County Schools and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) school administrator, teacher, and counselor, as well as a private consultant. She also served as Interim Assistant Education Secretary with the State of New Mexico Public Education Department.
Verdie Martinez, MA is an educator with 24 years of experience in early childhood education who studied Navajo culture and teachings at Northern Arizona University. Ms. Martinez also works as a culture and adult educator with the BIE system as a Family and Child Education Program (FACE) educator.
This workshop was organized by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension program Baby College 101: Courses for Ałchíní Yázhí. Funding is provided by a CYFAR grant from the US Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.