The Indigenous Early Childhood Educators (IECE) professional development program is for teachers of 3-4 year olds in Head Starts and other preschools serving primarily Indigenous children. It offers a long-term, cohort-model professional development opportunity for preschool teachers serving Native students.<\/p>\n
Early childhood educators accepted into the IECE program will receive a certificate of completion indicating up to 38 hours of professional development, will write a culturally sustaining and responsive curriculum unit to implement in their classrooms. Accepted teachers will receive a scholarship covering most participation costs to help offset any remaining expenses (including travel\/lodging\/ meals).<\/p>\n
Educators in the IECE are motivated, intellectually curious teachers who want to improve their content knowledge and have high expectations for their students.<\/p>\n
IECE Seminar Schedule 2026*<\/a><\/p>\n Seeking support from your school supervisor to participate in the INE only ensures your successful completion of the program. Please provide the with a copy of the seminar description and schedule to ensure they understand the level of commitment it will take to participate. <\/span><\/p>\n Please carefully read the “Eligibility criteria” and “Time Commitment” sections to confirm your eligibility. <\/span>This includes ensuring that you can attend ALL in-person and virtual meetings. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You will earn 38.5 Seat Hours for Professional Development through the following activities:<\/p>\n 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. <\/span><\/p>\n The application includes two questions that should be answered in 300-600 words. <\/b>The questions are: <\/span><\/p>\n 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. <\/span><\/p>\n The Institute for Native-serving Educators will inform you of your application status. If you are selected to be a 2026 fellow, you will receive information about the seminar and next steps.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n This seminar supports Indigenous early childhood educators in integrating ancestral language into bookmaking with young learners. Participants will explore practical ways to weave words, stories, and kinship traditions into simple, handmade books—such as accordion folds and sewn bindings—creating meaningful, intergenerational learning tools. Activities will help children value their home language and personal stories, strengthening their identity and self-esteem. The seminar concludes with developing a long-term curriculum plan that uses bookmaking to sustain and celebrate ancestral language throughout the year.<\/p>\nApplication process<\/em><\/h4>\n
Step 1: Get your supervisor’s support<\/i><\/b><\/h5>\n
Step 2: Confirm your eligibility<\/i><\/b><\/h5>\n
Eligibility criteria<\/em><\/h6>\n
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Time Commitment <\/em><\/h6>\n
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Step 3:<\/i><\/b> Submit your application<\/i><\/b><\/h5>\n
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Step 4: Notification of acceptance<\/i><\/b><\/h5>\n
2026 IECE Seminar Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
My Voice, My Wings: Non-Textual Bookmaking to Integrate Ancestral Language and Grow Children into Language Butterflies (Jennie DeGroat, Teaching Professor College of Education)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n