2023-2024 Dreamstarter Teachers

Becky Vordermann

Covelo, CA

Round Valley Elementary Middle School

Becky’s dream is to help her elementary students connect to their culture and develop lifelong skills by facilitating positive learning experiences that are nature based and culturally relevant to Round Valley Tribes. Becky’s after school program will include weekly nature trips, with interdisciplinary projects and a holistic approach to learning math, science, and language.

Brooke Gregory

Puyallup, WA

Chief Leschi

Brooke’s dream is to support her students’ futures by providing enriched learning experiences, and exposure to different career paths. The Schoolwide Enrichment Model will provide students with in-school SEM days during which students can explore their talents, develop interests, and expand their skills and abilities, while preparing them to succeed in the Career and Technical Education pathways that are available to them at the district high school.

Calli Rusche-Nichsolson

Billings, MT

Billings Public Schools Indian Education Department

Calli’s dream is to provide cultural enrichment and promote a sense of belonging for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous students and their families in the Billings community. The All Nations Clubs will provide after-school enrichment activities where students and families can make their own regalia, learn traditional crafts, participate in family fun nights, and have access to a network of academic support resources to ensure student success.

Connie Michael

Crow Agency, MT

Crow Agency Public School

Connie’s dream is to engage and inspire her students through hands on and culturally relevant lessons. Standards and learning targets of 5th grade ELA and social studies will be taught through first person accounts from a Native American perspective, while Math and Science standards will be taught through place-based, and experiential lessons to better connect students to their ancestors.

Jesse Swann

Pomfet, MD

Piscataway Conoy Tribe

Jesse’s dream is to oppose cultural erasure of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe, and create opportunities for young tribal members to learn about their culture and connect with elders. Jesse’s out of school program will involve drumming, drum-making, traditional crafts and regalia making free of cost to students.

Kristina Hyatt

Cherokee, NC

Cherokee Central Schools

Kristina’s dream is to support her students, and foster connections within her community by creating an after-school Homework Club. Students and guardians will be invited to gather at a local community space to receive help from tutors, participate in group read aloud, and create a network of teachers and families that will support students reach their educational goals.

Mary Beth Lalka

Belcourt, ND

St. Ann’s Catholic School

Mary Beth’s dream is to see her students succeed in academics and provide them with the highest caliber of education available. Mary Beth will purchase new hands-on learning materials that will better engage students, and further develop science and social studies skills.

Meredith Schramm

Lehi, UT

Lehi Junior High School

Meredith’s dream is to promote cultural inclusion and representation in schools. This grant will allow Meredith to finish her second lesson plan book in Social Studies on Native American culture and acquire regalia for students to wear during presentations in school-wide cultural assemblies.

Rachel Davis

Stevens Point, WI

University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point

Rachel’s dream is for Native students to break cycles of generational trauma and have the confidence to achieve success in acidemia and beyond. Rachel will invite 5 Native students to attend the Ninth Annual Native American Leadership Forum where they can network, and learn from Native leaders.

Shannon Britton

Covelo, CA

Round Valley Elementary/Middle School

Shannon’s dream is to reduce rates of chronic absenteeism of students in her school by providing new and engaging in-school activity days. “Academics in Action” days will include a variety of themed lessons, that focuses on learning in Art and Sciences while having fun.

Tiffany Cacy

Tahlequah, OK

Tahlequah Public School

Tiffany’s dream is to practice early intervention against obesity and promote health in her community. Tiffany will purchase a verity of outdoor play equipment that will prompt active play and start healthy habits for her students as primary prevention against chronic diseases.