Nicole Real Bird Cummins, a member of the Crow Tribe, has been named Indian Teacher of the Year by the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

Real Bird Cummins teaches kindergarten at the Crow Agency School on the reservation. "I have high expectations of my students even when they're just 5 or 6 years old," she tells The Billings Gazette.

Real Bird Cummins emphasizes Crow and English in her lessons. She expects students to be bilingual.

Get the Story:
Indian Teacher of the Year: 'I expect the best' (The Billings Gazette 8/22)

Relevant Links:
Big Horn Teacher Projects - http://www.msubillings.edu/bighornteacherproj
Montana Indian Education Association - http://www.mtiea.org
Montana Office of Public Instruction - http://www.opi.state.mt.us

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