- Please email Sig Boloz .
- sig.boloz@nau.edu
Preparing Indigenous Teachers for Arizona Schools (PITAS)
Preparing Indigenous Teachers for Arizona Schools (PITAS) is designed for para-professionals, educational assistants, and others in Native-serving schools in Arizona and surrounding communities who want to become certified teachers. PITAS Scholars can earn either their bachelor’s or master’s degree in either Elementary Education (K-8th grade) or Early Childhood/Special Education (preK – 3rd grade).
PITAS Scholars will stay and work in their home communities while earning their degree. Classes will be delivered in an online/zoom format that accommodates most work schedules. Scholars will participate in one weekend residency in Flagstaff each Fall and Spring semester, and a two-week summer residency in Flagstaff. We provide lodging and meals during all residencies.
We are currently recruiting for the next two PITAS cohorts. Those pursuing the Early Childhood/Special Education (preK-3rd grade) bachelor’s degree will begin classes in May 2026, and those pursuing either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Elementary Education (K-8th grade) will begin classes in August 2026. Both cohorts will graduate in May 2028.
The PITAS program covers all tuition costs, and Scholars are required to teach in a Native-serving school upon graduation. PITAS also provides all Scholars with a laptop and a small stipend each semester. To be eligible for funding, Scholars must complete the FAFSA and remain in good academic standing every year of the program.
A word of caution: consider your options carefully, as withdrawing from the classes after established university deadlines may result in personal responsibility for tuition and fees.
PITAS was developed because Indigenous leaders and educators requested a pathway for community members to become certified classroom teachers. Housed in Northern Arizona University’s College of Education, PITAS centers on Indigenous educational approaches and knowledge. Our goal is to prepare culturally responsive teachers for schools serving Arizona’s 22 Native Nations.
Eligibility criteria
Individuals working as Paraprofessionals, Educational Assistants, and in similar roles on or bordering any of Arizona’s 22 Native Nations are eligible if they can provide a fingerprint clearance card, official transcripts from an accredited institution, and a certificate of Indian Blood (CIB). In addition, applicants must have the following verified by a College of Education Academic Advisor:
For the bachelor’s degree pathway:
- 45 units of completed coursework
- ENG 105 or equivalent
- MAT 150 or equivalent
- MAT 155 or equivalent
- 2 lab science courses
- EDF 200 or equivalent
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5
For the master’s degree pathway:
- A completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0
For the full list of requirements and instructions about how to apply, please refer to the “Get started now!” tab.
Get started now! Accordion Closed
STEP 1: Complete a short PITAS Interest Application HERE.
This is how we first get your name and contact information so we can be sure to support you while you are applying to PITAS. This step is VERY important so that we know you want to be in PITAS when you apply to NAU in Step 2.
STEP 2: Apply for admittance to Northern Arizona University.
- If you have some college classes completed, but you do not yet have a bachelor’s degree, apply to NAU by clicking this link: Transfer Application. Within this application, select either Early Childhood/Special Education (“Term” should be summer 2026) OR Elementary Education (“Term” should be Fall 2026) as your major. When it asks for “Campus,” select Statewide, and then Organizational Partnership.
- If you have a bachelor’s degree already and you are applying for the PITAS master’s degree, apply to NAU by clicking this link: Graduate College Application. Within this application, select Elementary Education as your program. When it asks for “Campus,” select Online.
STEP 3: Complete the FAFSA by clicking HERE.
Have your FAFSA sent to NAU by selecting Northern Arizona University at the end of the application. If selected for verification, your FAFSA file must be verified. You will receive an email to your NAU email if verification is required.
STEP 4: Complete an interview with the PITAS Anchor Faculty, Dr. Sig Boloz
Dr. Boloz will contact you to set up a short interview via zoom or phone.
Important Tips:
- Once you get your NAU email address, be sure to check your new NAU email account every few days in case more information is needed.
- Should you have any questions about the Financial Aid process, please contact financial.aid@nau.edu.
- If you already have a bachelor’s degree, and you run into any problems while applying for the PITAS master’s degree in Elementary Education, please contact amy.faull@nau.edu.
- If you have some college classes completed, and you run into any problems while applying for the PITAS bachelor’s degree in either Early Childhood/Special Education OR Elementary Education, please contact mike.werner@nau.edu.
- If you have general questions about PITAS, please contact sig.boloz@nau.edu