Transition: Post-Secondary Readiness for High School Exceptional Students Using Diné Philosophy

Abstract

The purpose of the curriculum is to utilize the foundations of Navajo philosophy, Nitsáhákees (Thinking), Nahat’á (Planning), Iiná (Life) and Siihasin (Future endeavors) in daily transition skills for high school junior students with an Individual Education Plan. The curriculum will focus on students’ identifying their strengths, their interests and applying the transition services towards their post-secondary goals. Transition services are to prepare and provide Exceptional Students to transition towards post-secondary readiness. Daily standards utilized thinking, planning, livelihood and future endeavors from the Navajo teachings with the transition skills. The curriculum will consist of journal entries, post-secondary pathways research, life skills, weekly group counseling and utilizing the foundations of Navajo culture. The curriculum will include daily Navajo vocabulary, the English translation to the Navajo word and the transition skill it pertains to. Implementing Navajo traditional aspects with each lesson, the students will explore areas of their interests and strengths to build a goal that is relevant to themselves for their post-secondary transition.