"Mike Jetty's knowledge of Native issues, friendly demeanor and Rolodex of jokes has made him a favorite in classrooms across Montana.
As Montana's Native curriculum specialist, he has become “the face of Indian education” in a state touted as a national leader for teaching contemporary and historical tribal timelines in grades K-12.
His commitment to help teachers infuse their curricula with Native knowledge recently earned him title to 2008 Montana Indian Educator of the Year. He stands among a cadre of educators who have worked to bring Native-based curricula to Montana schools for more than three decades.
Montana has emerged as the leader in nurturing Native cultural standards in public schools, Willard Sakiestewa Gilbert, president of the National Indian Education Association, told an audience attending the annual Montana Indian Education Association annual conference.
About 550 Native and non-Native participants pushed the recent event to record attendance.
Jetty, who works in the state's Office of Public Instruction, receives hundreds of requests from teachers, parents, school boards, curriculum developers and administrators to help them bring Native perspectives to their work."
Get the Story:Jodi Rave: Native education efforts ‘laying a foundation at every school' (The Missoulian 4/30) Relevant Links:
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