Questions? Please email Ms. Micaela Merryman.

Email:
Micaela.Merryman​@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 across Arizona who want to become certified K-8 teachers. PITAS Scholars will earn either their bachelor’s or master’s degree in Elementary Education and be eligible to apply for Arizona state teaching certification in approximately two years while they stay in their home communities and continue working in their communities. Classes will be delivered in a hybrid format that accommodates most work schedules, and Scholars will participate in two-weekend community residencies, one each semester, and a two-week summer residency at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

The first PITAS cohort began in October 2022 and will end in June 2024. WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING FOR THE NEXT PITAS COHORT, which will begin classes in early August 2024 and graduate in May 2026!

PITAS is designed for students to stay in their home communities while also earning their degrees to become Arizona-certified teachers! Northern Arizona University and the College of Education staff are committed to supporting each person’s successful journey through coursework, graduation, and into a teaching position.

In the past semesters, PITAS Scholars have been fortunate to receive a small stipend each semester and a personal laptop. If funding is available, future PITAS Scholars may receive a small stipend and a laptop. As an admitted student in the PITAS Elementary Education with Certification program, Scholars are eligible to participate in the Arizona Teachers Academy (ATA), which will cover tuition and mandatory fees after all other scholarships and gift aid are applied. To receive ATA this funding, you will need to complete a FAFSA application each year you are in the program. PITAS Scholars must also remain in good academic standing at NAU. Finally, as a result of receiving this funding, you will commit to teaching at an approved public, BIE, or contract school located in Arizona for the number of years you receive the funding.

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 Para-Professionals, Educational Assistants, etc., in schools on or bordering any of Arizona’s 22 Native Nations and are located in Arizona are eligible if they can provide a fingerprint clearance card and 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
  • IVP fingerprint clearance card

For the master’s degree pathway:

  • A completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
    • GPA of 3.0 = full admittance
    • Below 3.0 undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) must petition the College of Education Admissions Committee to achieve conditional admittance with allowance to achieve 3.0 in graduate-level work with the first nine (9) graduate credit hours
  • College Algebra or equivalent with a minimum grade of C
  • ENG foundation composition course(s) with a minimum cumulative English GPA of 3.0
    • If the English composition GPA is not 3.0, the applicant can complete one of the following NAU courses (or an advisor-approved writing course) with a minimum grade of B: ENG 105, ENG 205, 210, 211, 220, 270, 302W or 310W.
  • One lab science with a minimum grade of C
  • IVP fingerprint clearance card

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: Apply for admittance to Northern Arizona University.

UNDERGRADUATE students wanting to pursue the BSEd in Elementary Education should submit an application by clicking this link: Transfer Application.

  • Once you click the link above, begin by creating an account; then follow the steps to complete the application. TIP: Be sure to use a consistent email address that you will remember, and your full legal name when creating your account!
  • Within the application, select Elementary Education as your major. When it asks for “Campus,” select Statewide, and then Organizational Partnership.
  • For the PITAS/PITAS Bridge cohort that is beginning in August, select “Term” Fall 2024.
  • After you have filled out your application, please email the PITAS enrollment management coordinator at Molly.Jisa@nau.edu with a PDF copy of all unofficial transcripts. Be sure your transcripts are clear and easy to read. In your email, please indicate that you are applying for PITAS/PITAS Bridge. Note: If you do not send us an email with your transcripts, your application may take up to 6-8 weeks to process. If you have any problems during the application process, please email us or call us at 602-298-4023.
  • Be sure to check the email you used to create your account every few days in case more information is needed!
  • For general PITAS/PITAS Bridge questions, contact the PITAS Program Coordinator anytime at Micaela.Merryman@nau.edu.

 GRADUATE students wanting to pursue the MEd in Elementary Education with Certification should submit an application by clicking this link: Graduate College Application.

  • Once you click the link above, begin by creating an account; then follow the steps to complete the application. TIP: Be sure to use a consistent email address that you will remember, and your full legal name when creating your account!
  • Within the application, select Elementary Education as your program. When it asks for “Campus,” select Online.
  • If you run into problems during the application process, please email the PITAS Graduate Advisor at Amy.Faull@nau.edu
  • Be sure to check the email you used to create your account every few days in case more information is needed!
  • For general PITAS/PITAS Bridge questions, contact the PITAS Program Coordinator anytime at Micaela.Merryman@nau.edu.

STEP 2: Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA by clicking this link: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 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 3: Apply to the College of Education Professional Education Program.

  • AFTER you receive the email indicating you have been accepted to NAU, you will need to complete a second application for the Professional Education Program. This application can only be accessed by logging into your NAU Louie account, and you will receive information about how to log into NAU Louie in your acceptance email.
  • Once you get your NAU email address, be sure to check you new NAU email account every few days in case more information is needed!

STEP 4: After you have applied to the Professional Education Program (Step 4 above), email Dr. Sig Boloz to express your interest in PITAS/PITAS Bridge.

  • Your email should briefly (3-8 sentences) describe your interest and experiences within Indigenous communities, and it should state why you are interested in joining PITAS/PITAS Bridge.
  • Your email should include a letter of support from your current principal or supervisor. You may ask Dr. Boloz to provide you with a sample letter of support, which you can then give to your principal or supervisor.
  • Send these two items to Sig.Boloz@nau.edu

 STEP 5: After you are fully admitted and enrolled in PITAS/PITAS Bridge classes, you will be offered an ATA funding agreement through your Louie To Do list. Be sure to read the ATA Agreement carefully before accepting its terms and conditions and remember that you are required to teach in an Arizona public, BIE, or grant school for the number of years you receiving ATA funding.

**REMEMBER YOU CAN CONTACT THE PITAS PROGRAM COORDINATOR AT ANY TIME: MICAELAMERRYMAN@NAU.EDU. Please allow 2 business days for a response.**

PITAS schedule

Ideally, PITAS is typically a two-year program. Virtual synchronous classes on Zoom are held twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m. during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. The cohort has one required in-person weekend meeting during each of the Fall and Spring semesters and a required two-week, in-person summer residency at the Northern Arizona University campus in Flagstaff. Dates will be announced when the cohort begins.

Benefits of program participation

  • The program is designed for para-professionals and others working in Native-serving schools
  • You will remain in your community while completing your courses synchronously online (via Zoom)
  • Cohort members are eligible to apply for ATA funding, which covers tuition and mandatory fees after all other scholarships and gift aid are applied
  • If funding is available, Cohort members may receive a laptop and an $800 stipend each semester
  • All education classes will be taken with the cohort, and classes will be designed for relevance to teaching in Arizona’s Native-serving schools
  • Faculty and staff will provide mentorship and support
  • PITAS Scholars can complete their student teaching in their native communities with the local school’s approval.

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