Diné Language Cultural Educator - Part-time / Term Limited

About the NACA Inspired Schools Network (NISN)

The NACA Inspired Schools Network is building schools of excellence and relevance in Indigenous communities. Based on a community-led school development model, NISN seeks to support schools that build on community strengths and center student learning in community, holism, identity development, and academic relevance.

NISN seeks talented individuals from all backgrounds to apply. We are especially interested in self-starting individuals with a growth mindset, practicing vulnerability, deeply believing in engaging communities, and genuinely wanting to see transformation in Indigenous communities.

NISN Din Bizaad Bee Na'nitin Yhoo'aah Mentor + Apprentice Program

In 2022, the Native American Community Academy - Inspired Schools network (NISN) was awarded the NMPED-IED Indigenous Language Fellow and the NISN Din Bizaad Bee Na'nitin Yhoo'aah Mentor + Apprentice program was implemented to develop to increase the Din language teachers in network schools include NACA and Saad Ki Dily in Albuquerque, Six Directions Indigenous Schools in Gallup and Dream Din in Shiprock. Also, the program established an agreement with the Navajo Nation-Department of Din Education (DODE) Office of Standards, Curriculum & Assessment Development (OSCAD) to administer the assessment in Albuquerque twice a year in December and June. The program prepared the potential Din language teachers to obtain the 520 Native American Language and Culture Certificate by taking the OSCAD Din Language and Culture Assessment which measures the proficiency of the speaker's language and comprehension of written and reading a lesson plan in Din Bizaad.

NISN Din Bizaad Bee Na'nitin Yhooaah Mentor + Apprentice Program is seeking a Din Language Cultural Educator . The position supports the Din language speakers to become certified Din language teachers, thereby obtaining New Mexico's 520 Native American Language and Culture certification. The Din Language Cultural Educator will collaborate with the program team to prepare potential teachers through professional development training to take the language assessment administered by the Navajo Nation Department of Din Education (DODE). The Din Language Cultural educator will assist the mentor and apprentice cohorts and communities in engaging and participating in efforts to increase Din language use in schools and communities. Be available to the apprentices, attend scheduled meetings, and share cultural knowledge with apprentices.

Scope of Work :

Support a total of eight (8) apprentices to complete and attain a 520 certificate and place these apprentices in an educational setting to teach the Dine language.Provide professional development to strengthen knowledge of 520 certification standards and effective practices for teaching language and culture.

Desired Qualifications :

Minimum qualification to comprehensively speak and write / read in Din language.Familiarity with designing learning experiences for adult language learners. Knowledge of the lifeways of Din cultural and language.Experience working within a preK-12 grade classroom language setting.Familiar with computer applications such as Email, Calendar, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, Dropbox and Google Drive.

Roles and Responsibilities :

Assist in coordinating prep workshops for Din language teacher candidates. To facilitate interactive learning in the Din lifeways alignment with the land-based with a lesson demonstration in which the Navajo Nation's OSCAD five standards will be taught in hands-on activities. The assessment includes cultural han to ensure the Din language and culture teacher has knowledge and is familiar to teach youth and community. Familiar with the cultural relevant materials for adult learners. Present the oral language and culture by using interactive activities to support the potential Din language teachers. Support program team to review training materials for Din fundamental laws, Navajo Nation Government, and culturally relevant to the Din Language and Culture Assessment.For reporting, assist the Program Director with key results every quarter, including sharing lessons learned, listing recommendations, and preparing presentations.

Part-Time Term Limited :

Date of the signed acceptance letter to June 2026. Opportunity for Part-Time Term Limited renewal upon funding.Due to term-limited, employee benefits are not included with this position.Position compensation includes travel.Track hours describing produced work.Telework via zoom and phone including in-person meetings / training.

Salary Band : Min $16,319.06 - Max $23,312.94.

B. TIMELINE FOR APPLICATION PROCESS (subject to change)

PROCESS

ACTION BY : SUBMISSION BY :

A. Job Announcement

NISN

July 8, 2025

B. Application Materials

Candidate

July 29, 2025, before 5 : 00 pm (MTN) .

C. Interview Candidate

NISN / Candidate

August 4-15, 2025

D. Onboarding

NISN / Candidate

August 18-22, 2025

E. Orientation

NISN

September 2025

Requirements for a Final Selection

Announcement

NISN will post job opportunity announcements on NISN website, social media, and the designated recruitment network. If NISN does not identify a final candidate by the application material deadline, NISN will repost until hired.

Application Materials

The candidate must upload application materials to the NISN Human Resources platform on Rippling. Upload the following :

Cover letter

Resume includes a timeline of experience of up to five years.

References

Interview Candidate

Depending on the experience and qualifications aligned with the roles and responsibilities, NISN will reach out to candidates and schedule interviews. The interview committee will interview to ensure the candidate is comprehensive in the Din language. Based on the rating, the candidate will be selected for the onboarding process. For those not selected for the position, the candidate will be informed by NISN to send the candidate a letter of notification.

Onboarding

Upon completion of the interview, the NISN will send a letter of acceptance to the finalized candidate. The finalized Part-Time employee will receive an onboarding packet that includes a W-9, code of conduct, and all essential materials to begin their employment with us.

Orientation

The Din Language Program Coordinator will schedule a program orientation for all hired program part-time / term limited employees and contractors during the first week of September 2025.

We look forward to reviewing your application materials. If you have any questions, please contact Chael Moore, Din Language Program Coordinator, at 505.803.7360 or chael@nacainspiredschoolsnetwork.org.

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