Culturally Responsive Schooling (CRS) with/in Indigenous Communities

Culturally Responsive Schooling (CRS) with/in Indigenous Communities Professional Development Program

The Culturally Responsive Schooling (CRS) with/in Indigenous Communities Professional Development Program is a 6-month program for PreK-12 educators that will grow their capacity and effectiveness in working with Indigenous students. The program focuses on increasing educators’ knowledge of key ideas/issues, and also educators’ ability to use and apply that knowledge to their everyday work with students. Open to educators in a variety of roles (i.e., teachers, paraprofessionals, principals, residential coordinators, etc.), the program focuses on increasing educators’ knowledge of key ideas/issues, and also educators’ ability to use and apply that knowledge to their everyday work with students.

Educators participate in a seminar group that is led by University faculty who are content experts. Educators learn the seminar material through reading, discussion, and independent research. Each educator writes a unique curriculum unit/guide for use in their school/classroom. Curriculum units/guides are then published online so other educators can access, adapt, and use them in their own schools/classrooms.

Certificate of completion with seat hours noted for professional development
Stipend for $500 upon completion
Professional development hours certificate for 35 hours
Self-authored curriculum or practice guide is published on INE website
Connection to a diverse community of educators with a shared commitment to culturally responsive schooling

We are no longer accepting applications for our 2024 CRS seminar cohorts. If you are interested in INE’s 2025 professional development seminars, please fill out this form and we will contact you when 2025 applications are available.

Participants in the CRS are motivated, intellectually curious educators who want to improve their content knowledge and have high expectations for their students.

Eligibility criteria

Employed full-time in a school serving over 25% Native students
Employed in a publicly-funded or tribally-funded school in Arizona
Employed in a role that works directly with students and/or families (i.e., teacher, educational assistance, residential coordinators, instructional coach, family engagement coordinator, etc.)
Ability to attend ALL meetings CRS schedule 2024

Expectations of accepted applicants

Attend all virtual and in person meetings, including the final Showcase and Open House on December 7, 2024, in Flagstaff CRS schedule 2024
Submit all writing assignments on time, including the final complete curriculum unit that meets program specifications
Maintain regular communication via email and/or phone with the program staff
Improve content knowledge in the relevant area
Grow capacity to engage students using the principles of cultural responsiveness

Application process

Step 1: Get your principal’s support.

You will need to confirm that your principal supports your application. Please discuss this with your principal before you apply.

Step 2: Confirm your eligibility

Please carefully read the “Eligibility criteria” and “Expectations of accepted applicants” sections to confirm your eligibility. This includes ensuring that you can attend ALL in-person and virtual meetings.

Step 3: Submit your application

The application is completed via Google forms, which requires you to complete and submit the entire application at one time. Please be sure you allow sufficient time to do this; we recommend approximately one hour.

The application includes one question that should be answered in 150-300 words. The question is, “Please tell us why you are interested in joining this professional development program. What do you hope to learn or gain through this program? What strengths or assets will you bring to this program?”

It may be helpful to draft your response in a Word/Google Document (or something similar) then copy and paste your response into the application when you are ready to submit.

Step 4: Notification of acceptance

The Institute for Native-serving Educators will inform you of your application status by March 27, 2024.

Ready to get started?

Apply to CRS!

Click the link above or scan the QR Code below with your mobile device to be taken to the application page.

CRS schedule for 2024

Download the CRS schedule 2024

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