{"id":2624,"date":"2023-09-07T18:16:50","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T18:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/ine\/?page_id=2624"},"modified":"2026-09-17T22:50:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T22:50:54","slug":"dine","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/institute-native-serving-educators\/dine\/","title":{"rendered":"Din\u00e9 Institute for Navajo Nation Educators (DIN\u00c9)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Din\u00e9 Institute for Navajo Nation Educators (DIN\u00c9)<\/h1>\n
<\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: left\">\n<h2>What is the Din\u00e9 Institute for Navajo Nation Educators (DIN\u00c9)?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">The Din\u00e9 Institute for Navajo Nation Educators (DIN\u00c9) is a partnership between Northern Arizona University and Navajo schools aimed at strengthening teaching in K-12 schools serving Din\u00e9 and other Indigenous students. The DIN\u00c9 began with 9 teachers in 2018, and we have had approximately 131 teachers complete the program since then.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left\">Teachers who are DIN\u00c9 Fellows participate in an 7-month Fellowship that will increase their:<\/h4>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left\">\n<li>Content knowledge<\/li>\n<li>Curriculum-development skills<\/li>\n<li>Capacity to deliver culturally responsive lessons<\/li>\n<li>Leadership ability<\/li>\n<li>Writing capacity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\">Teachers participate in a seminar group that is led by University faculty who are content experts. Teachers learn the seminar material through reading, discussion, and independent research. Each teacher writes a unique curriculum unit for use in their classroom. Curriculum units are then published online so other educators can access, adapt, and use them in their own classrooms.<\/p>\n<p>Accepted teachers will receive a scholarship covering most participation costs, along with a stipend to help offset any remaining expenses (such as travel, lodging, & meals).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Information on INE’s 2027 Professional Development programs are coming soon. <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/asehRWM5i5cfMDjm6\">Subscribe to our listserv<\/a> to be notified when applications open.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordionheader\">\n <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordiontrigger\" data-header=\"Click Here for 2026 DIN\u00c9 \u00a0Application and guidelines!_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-1-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-1-panel\">\n Click Here for 2026 DIN\u00c9 \u00a0Application and guidelines!\n <span class=\"shortcode-accordionheaderarrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-1-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-1-trigger\" inert>\n <html><body>\n<h3>Applications due: February 20, 2026<\/h3>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/iAA5dX2dSFFYmoPe8\"><b>Click here to complete the 2026 <\/b>DIN\u00c9 <b>application<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>INE Seminar schedules 2026<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/101\/2025\/12\/Website-Esparza_2026-Seminar-Description.pdf\">Track 1 \u2013 Esparza: Amplifying Student Voice, Choice & Cultural Identity through Technology<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/101\/2025\/12\/Website-Martin_2026-Seminar-Description.pdf\">Track 2 \u2013 Martin: Every Picture Tells a Story: Forest and Land Management Using Spatial Data (GIS), StoryMaps and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/101\/2025\/12\/Website-Macktima-Medinaceli_2026-Seminar-Description.pdf\">Track 3 \u2013 Macktima and Medinaceli: Native American History and Ethnoecology: The Cultural Relevance of Sustaining Indigenous Food Systems<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><em>Application Process<\/em><\/h4>\n<h5><em>Step 1: Get your principal\u2019s support<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>You will need to confirm that your principal supports your application. Please discuss this with your principal before you apply. You can strengthen your application by submitting a letter of support from your principal.<\/p>\n<h5><em>Step 2: Confirm your eligibility\u00a0<\/em><\/h5>\n<p>Please carefully read the \u201cEligibility criteria\u201d and \u201cExpectations of accepted applicants\u201d sections to confirm your eligibility.\u00a0This includes ensuring that you can attend ALL in-person and virtual meetings.<\/p>\n<h6><em>Eligibility criteria<\/em><\/h6>\n<ol>\n<li>Seeking support from your school principal to participate in the INE only ensures your successful completion of the program. Please provide them with a copy of the program description and schedule to ensure they understand the level of commitment asked of you to participate.<\/li>\n<li>Employed as a K-12 teacher full-time in a school serving Apache students<\/li>\n<li>Employed in a publicly-funded or tribally-funded school in Arizona<\/li>\n<li>Completed at least one full year of teaching<\/li>\n<li>Ability to attend ALL meetings in-person and online meetings<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h6><em><b>Time Commitment\u00a0<\/b><\/em><\/h6>\n<p>Professional development hours are earned by completing the following activities:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Attending and participating in each of the online seminar meetings<\/li>\n<li>Attending and participating in the scheduled INE summer residency on NAU Flagstaff Campus<\/li>\n<li>(3) 1-day Saturday seminar meetings (1 at NAU\u2019s Flagstaff campus, 2 on Tribal Homelands)<\/li>\n<li>Attend the American Indian\/Indigenous Teacher Education Conference<\/li>\n<li>Attend 1-day in-person Showcase in November at NAU\u2019s Flagstaff campus<\/li>\n<li>Scheduled time for\u00a0reading\/writing each week<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><b><i>Step 3:<\/i><\/b><b><i> Submit your application<\/i><\/b><\/h5>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><b>The application includes two questions that should be answered in 300-600 words. <\/b>The questions are:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPart of the INE\u2019s mission is to work with teachers who are leaders in their schools or communities. How do you demonstrate leadership in your role as a teacher?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlease explain why you are interested in your FIRST choice seminar track topic, and describe a specific way you could integrate this seminar topic into your teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h5><b><i>Step 4: Notification of acceptance<\/i><\/b><\/h5>\n<p>The Institute for Native-serving Educators will inform you of your application status.\u00a0 If you are selected to be a fellow of DIN\u00c9 in 2026, you will receive information about this year\u2019s seminar topics.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordionheader\">\n <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordiontrigger\" data-header=\"2026 INE Seminars_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-2-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-2-panel\">\n 2026 INE Seminars\n <span class=\"shortcode-accordionheaderarrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n <div class=\"shortcode-accordionbody\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-2-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-2-trigger\" inert>\n <html><body>\n<p>In 2026, the Institute for Native-serving Educators (INE) is sponsoring 3 seminar tracks for the DIN\u00c9 Institute for Navajo Nation Educators. This year the INE is offering 3 different tracks for educators to choose from:<\/p>\n<h5>Track 1: Amplifying Student Voice, Choice & Cultural Identity through Technology with Ashley Esparza<\/h5>\n<p>Discover how digital tools can support and honor Indigenous students\u2019 voice, cultural knowledge, and ways of knowing. This seminar will explore practical strategies for using technology to create learning experiences where students can share their stories, connect their cultural identities to academic content, and experience agency in learning. Participants will examine digital platforms and multimedia tools that enable students to express their learning in a variety of ways, from digital storytelling that incorporates tradition and self-expression to collaborative spaces that center Indigenous perspectives.<\/p>\n<h5>Track 2:Every Picture Tells a Story: Forest and Land Management Using Spatial Data (GIS), StoryMaps and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).<\/h5>\n<p>This seminar with look at how tribes are asserting their skills, knowledge and rights to the management of their natural resources using spatial data tools.\u00a0 Using a variety of data collection methods, INE fellows will learn how natural resource data attributes are applied to spatial data analysis tools to develop natural, culturally appropriate management approaches and practices. The content will be adaptable across academic subjects while aligning with educational standards. This seminar will include selected reading materials and presentations to create a meaningful learning experience for teachers to create a curriculum unit unique to the students they serve.<\/p>\n<h5>Track 3: Native American History and Ethnoecology: The Cultural Relevance of Sustaining Indigenous Food Systems<\/h5>\n<p>This seminar will focus on Native American communities, starting with a historical approach to build awareness of the Southwest region of tribal communities. A key goal is to provide teachers with foundational knowledge of Native American history, especially on important topics like boarding schools. After establishing this foundation, the seminar will transition into discussions about Indigenous food systems, food sovereignty, and ecology. Activities may explore how food and ceremonies historically intersect and how these traditions have evolved over time. The content will be adaptable across subjects such as social studies, English, and science, while aligning with educational standards. This seminar will include selected reading materials, presentations to create a meaningful learning experience for teachers to create a curriculum unit unique to the students they serve.<\/p>\n<h5>Benefits of program participation<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>Increased knowledge of best practices in culturally responsive curriculum development<\/li>\n<li>Completion of a published, self-authored curriculum unit for use in your classroom<\/li>\n<li>Recognition by the school\/district of their accomplishments<\/li>\n<li>Faculty affiliate status at Northern Arizona University during the program dates, which gives full access to Cline Library resources<\/li>\n<li>Receive a certificate of completion indicating the number of hours earned<\/li>\n<li>Access to colleague\u2019s self-authored curriculum units for use in your classroom<\/li>\n<li>Networking and learning from other educators in Native-serving schools<\/li>\n<li>A stipend of $1500 provided upon program completion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/body><\/html>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordionheader\">\n <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"The DIN\u00c9\u2019s three guiding principles:_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-3-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-3-panel\">\n The DIN\u00c9\u2019s three guiding principles:\n <span class=\"shortcode-accordionheaderarrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n <div class=\"shortcode-accordionbody\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-3-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-3-trigger\" inert>\n <html><body>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1. Din\u00e9 and other Indigenous youth, teachers, elders, and communities are rich sources and sites of knowledge.<\/p>\n<p>2. Culturally responsive schooling is a best practice, and the DIN\u00c9 integrates Navajo traditional knowledge throughout all aspects of our teaching, learning, and leading.<\/p>\n<p>3. Initiatives that strengthen teaching through culturally responsive professional development will in turn improve the educational attainment of Din\u00e9 and other Indigenous youth, which is a necessary component for tribal nation (re)building goals of sovereign Native Nations in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n<\/body><\/html>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n <h4 class=\"shortcode-accordionheader\">\n <button type=\"button\" class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"The DIN\u00c9\u2019s three broad goals:_0\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-4-trigger\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"shortcode-accordion-4-panel\">\n The DIN\u00c9\u2019s three broad goals:\n <span class=\"shortcode-accordionheaderarrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\" id=\"shortcode-accordion-4-panel\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"shortcode-accordion-4-trigger\" inert>\n <html><body><div style=\"text-align: left;\">\n\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">1. Establish sustainable partnerships between Navajo schools and NAU that empower teacher growth and foster mutually beneficial cultural and content knowledge between the partners.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">2. Build capacity for culturally responsive, academically rigorous curriculum development and delivery among all teachers in Navajo schools.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">3. Enhance and promote teacher leadership and student achievement within Navajo schools.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Would you like to stay up-to-date on all things related to the Institute for Native-serving Educators? If so, please subscribe to our email list! We will periodically send out updates and announcements through this system. <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/asehRWM5i5cfMDjm6\">Click here to subscribe to INE’s email list<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Din\u00e9 Institute for Navajo Nation Educators (DIN\u00c9) What is the Din\u00e9 Institute for Navajo Nation Educators (DIN\u00c9)? The Din\u00e9 Institute for Navajo Nation Educators (DIN\u00c9) is a partnership between Northern Arizona University and Navajo schools aimed at strengthening teaching in K-12 schools serving Din\u00e9 and other Indigenous students. The DIN\u00c9 began with 9 teachers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2740,"featured_media":2872,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ring_central_script_selection":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2624","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/institute-native-serving-educators\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/institute-native-serving-educators\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/institute-native-serving-educators\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/institute-native-serving-educators\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2740"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/institute-native-serving-educators\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2624"}],"version-history":[{"count":78,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/institute-native-serving-educators\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2624\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4163,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/institute-native-serving-educators\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2624\/revisions\/4163"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/institute-native-serving-educators\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/institute-native-serving-educators\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}