TRANSCRIPT: 3 Strategies for Providing Culturally Responsive Education to Native American Students (feat. Tan-A Hoffman from JKL Bahweting Anishnabe School) | Otter.ai

TRANSCRIPT: 3 Strategies for Providing Culturally Responsive Education to Native American Students (feat. Tan-A Hoffman from JKL Bahweting Anishnabe School)

Kristen Crain41min

Tan-A

00:00

It wasn't until in my early 40s that I finally got rid of my "Pocahontas complex." Understanding that I am enough, even with my blond hair and blue eyes, that I am enough. I am Indian not because I'm Native American. I am Anishnaabe not because of the way I look but because of my heart and the things that I know, and because of the cultural beliefs that I then follow. And so that's a big deal. And so when we think about a classroom, erasing those stereotypes is super important. Because we are invisible in your classroom. That's one of the things that I do for sure: I wear my beaded earrings on purpose in my classroom, so my kids know who I am. I make myself visible in spaces where people need to hear the Anishinaabe perspective. It's uncomfortable, especially for somebody who does not like talking in public. So it makes it difficult but as teachers, it's our responsibility to break down those barriers to break down those walls.

Nikki

01:11

I’m Nikki Herta, and this is BRIGHT: Stories of Hope & Innovation in Michigan Classrooms, a podcast where we celebrate our state’s educators and explore the future of learning. BRIGHT is brought to you, in part, by Meemic Insurance Company, insuring the educational community for more than 70 years. Teachers and school employees, visit Meemic.com/Quote to see how much you can save. In today’s episode of BRIGHT, I chat with Tan-A Hoffman — a 2nd-grade teacher at JKL Bahweting Anishnabe School and a 2020-21 regional teacher of the year, representing her geographic area in Michigan’s upper peninsula. Tan-A shares some incredible stories, a brief bit of history, and 3 strategies for providing culturally responsive education to Native American students.

Nikki

01:11

Well, thank you for joining me for this episode of BRIGHT, Tan-A. It's a pleasure to have you on the podcast.

Tan-A

01:28

Miigwech for having me. I'm so excited.

Nikki

01:43

So we're trying a new thing this season, and we're going to start off by asking everybody: Can you tell me about the most interesting thing you're doing in your classroom right now?

Tan-A

02:28

Absolutely. So right now, I believe the most interesting thing that I'm doing in my classroom is I have a preservice teacher that I am mentoring through her internship, and that is with Lake Superior State University. So we're collaborating together to get that next group of Michigan teachers ready for the field. So I find it to be really exciting.

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