Moving to NM to...teach? (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: wedding, to buy, school)

[mesavista]

I thought I'd check in and see how it's going here and I must say I'm surprised by the number of really negative responses! I do not think you will find any more problems than you find in any group of low income folks as regards stealing, language, drugs etc. That is everywhere and in high income people too. You don't have kids I believe so that is not a factor for you and it is a good time in your life to try something like this. I would not want my kids to be the only non Navajo in the classroom. My son was a toddler when I worked on the res and he had a Navajo sitter and he learned to speak Navajo along with English, sadly he cannot remember it now. If you live WAY out on at a reservaton school like I did, you will not need an apartment, it will be supplied. You will have to learn how to shop once or twice a month and get along without the video or cable TV. That is good for anyone to try in my opinion!

I do not see it as wrong to learn to accommodate the native culture. When you teach you have to accommodate all kinds of culture. I have had anglo Jehovah Witness children that I had to not do holidays for. I have had vegan students who had to have alternate lunches. I have had students who were from conservative Christian homes and those who were from radical liberal homes...all of which required honoring and accommodating. It is the respect we give each other in the US that allows us to maintain our own faiths and cultures that makes us so interesting and I have never minded accommodating it as a teacher. Even those practices I personally highly disagree with I will honor because I want others to honor my faith adn treat my children the way I request. Most Navajo people I know really enjoy the progress of the 21st century too and have cell phones, computers and ipods. But they want to preserve their culture.

There are places where they still live in dirt floor hogans with no running water or electricity but these are fewer and fewer .

We live and work in the Central Consolidated school district...It covers Kirtland, Shiprock, Newcomb and Naschitti Schools. For kirtland and shiprock you can live in Farmington, the other 2 you live in teacher housing. They pay very well to first year teachers-$40,000 I belive. I have a friend who just did her first year last year, no teaching certificate. She taught all week at Newcomb and on Saturdays attended San Juan College in Farmington in the alternative program to get her certification. Now she has it and is fully licensed. They may have even paid for it. It was a busy year, but well worth it to her.

Good luck, I do think you shuold try to visit out here before you decide.
Mesavista

[coltraneandcoffee]

"I'm surprised by the number of really negative responses! I do not think you will find any more problems than you find in any group of low income folks..."

I am not too surprised; but usually when I tell most people what my plans are it's quiet for a minute and then something along the lines of "real Indians??" But anyway, you mentioned a friend who just did her first year with no teaching certificate: how did that work? I am looking at a lot of alt/cert programs but its hard to schedule tests and things when im still living in NY.

And again, your post was incredibly insightful and encouraging to me. I feel that American Indians are fully able to look after their own interests, etc., however like ANY under-served, high need area I know that a solid education from grassroots (ie: individuals) efforts will empower communities without some "valient" attempt to transform them into something more familar to your own background.
I would very much prefer to live in teacher housing and immerse myself more in the experiences that my students would be coming from...but Id take whatever I could get thats for sure...

[bigduly]

Hi, I'm from the Zuni Reservation and I just wanted to comment on your question. First of all Zuni is beautiful and rich in tradition, culture, and language. The school system here has been steadily improving. The elementary schools have made AYP for the past 3 or 4 years. They also built brand new housing units for the teachers. They are adobe style housing. Teaching elementary here is probably the best. Because parents are much more active with school events and meetings. Not many people here have the luxury of having computers or any modernized electronics, so when kids go to school they have the ability to play with computers and they pay attention to what is being taught. Zuni is a half-an-hour drive from Gallup and two hour drive from Albuquerque. We usually go to either town for groceries or any items we can't buy in town. As far as internet out here, because nobody can live with out the Net. We have one ISP and they provide 56K speeds, so trying to get on to this forum will take forever. But DSL is on the way. There is a panhandling problem here, well not really beggers. They are silversmiths, fetish carvers, and pottery makers trying to sell their stuff. These people make something in a hurry so they can earn their money for their alcohol. These people are denied by arab buyers and local traders, so they go to the teacherage and hospital apartments trying to sell there stuff. But this is the reservation and it's not going to be perfect. Just visit sometime, you'll have a unique experience then most reservations. We have religious events that many outsiders don't see everyday.

[coltraneandcoffee]

Thanks for your reply to my post
What you are describing is exactly the situation I want to teach in ...no matter how far from home that takes me. Since you are living on the Zuni Reservation, and it seems that you know a lot about the interworkings of educational system there, etc, how would you suggest I pursue an elementary teaching position there? Is there a need for teachers in those grades?

I am planning on visiting NM in January when I go to take a Basic Skills Test--as far as visiting Zuni from the perspective of a potential teacher, not just a tourist, how should I structure a visit? Sorry for all of the questions, and thanks for all your insight.

Danielle

[mesavista]

Contact San Juan College in Farmington and they can fill you in on how to start teaching with out the papers all in ect. My friend did it thru them. I believe it is www.sjcollege.edu (broken link) if not try a search. She taught all week and on Saturday attended seminars at the college. No free time but she got full salary and in one year was fully certified too! She had a ba in music. No education hours. She loves it and teaches music in the elementary school.
Mesavista

[coltraneandcoffee]

Originally Posted by mesavista

Contact San Juan College in Farmington .... No free time but she got full salary and in one year was fully certified too!
Mesavista

this is EXACTLY what I need. thank you!!
Danielle

[nm_photojournalist]

As so many others have suggested, "respect" for one another's cultures is the best way to open doors between one another. New Mexico has such a rich, and ancient mix of cultures, and to me at least, that is one of it's greatest "enchantments."

First of all, I admire you for even considering such a bold move. You might want to consider living "on the edge" of the Native American reservations as an alternative. By that I mean getting some experience in Farmington, or Gallup schools, which have many Native American students, yet remain in more of an Anglo/Hispanic community during transition.

My sister was a Special Education teacher in Bernalillo, just 15 miles north of Albuquerque, when she first came to NM, and had a rich mix of Anglo, Hispanic, and Native American students. The latter came from the nearby pueblos of Zia, Santa Ana, and San Felipe. She was invited to many of their homes, and since she was respected, she in turn returned that respect. The culture clash was very demanding on her in some ways however. Notably, the Native American students being absent at times because of special ceremonies at the pueblos. Lesson planning was an on-going restructuring.

She lived in Albuquerque, and commuted each day. You might consider the same either here in Albuquerque, Gallup, or Farmington...to get your feet wet so to speak. Then take on the reservation schools. I had an Anglo female friend who was a nurse at Window Rock, on the Navajo Reservation, and she confided that it could be pretty lonely sometimes, with the isolation especially...the Navajo Reservation in NW New Mexico, and NE Arizona is a vast area.

I wish you luck, and admire your "youthful" enthusiasm. I had that once, but learned a little procrastination to gather as much information, and view points can't hurt either. Follow your heart, and you may find your dreams. Who knows, you may even make this a better world than you found it! :-)

Along with San Juan College, you may want to take a look at the offerings found through Central New Mexico Community College (formerly Technical Vocational Institute - TVI) here in Albuquerque: About CNM
And, the University of New Mexico Education Dept., also here in Albuquerque. University of New Mexico

[coltraneandcoffee]

just a quick update to everyone who so kindly responded to me...

I was offered a position through Teach for America this week as an elementary teacher in New Mexico for Fall 2008--though the interviews with school districts still needs to take place Im hoping to live in a teacherage for Zuni or Navajo Nation schools. Im very excited and appreciate this forum for all the insight about NM that it has given me. Im graduating from college in 4 weeks and its nice to know that I ATLEAST have the next two years planned. whew!

Danielle

[penelopelp]

Congratulations! Let us know how it goes.

[Towanda]

Hey coltraneandcoffee:

Congraulations on your job offer.

It sounds like just exactly what you want! Can't get any better than that!

I agree ~ keep us informed on how it goes.