Helping Foreign Teachers be Prepared to Work with Indigenous Students

Abstract

This Leadership Practice guide will focus on the needs of foreign teachers serving Native American students. This guide recommends some policy changes and professional development for districts that serve Native students to help prepare these teachers to work on the reservation and support them for the time they are employed. As general recommendations, the district must first create a plan that will help them understand where they are located and the remoteness of the reservation. Then, they need to offer professional development and mentoring support on classroom management and PBIS so they can be prepared to teach in our classrooms. Finally, they need to offer social activities to make them feel welcome within the community and at home and help them create connections to keep them supported while they are here. Only by working in a culturally responsive way can we truly meet the needs of our students and ensure they are prepared for their future.