Dreamstarter Teachers Making an Impact in Native Classrooms
Running Strong for American Indian Youth® launched the Dreamstarter Teacher grant program in 2017 to empower educators and support Native American youth. With grants of up to $5,000, the program helps teachers, librarians, and other educators meet the unique needs of their Native students and enhance the educational experience in Native classrooms.
Since the program began, numerous educators have used these grants to make a lasting impact. The 2023-2024 Dreamstarter Teachers, including Shannon Britton, Connie Michael, and Becky Vordermann, have reported their recent successes, showcasing how these grants are making a difference.
Shannon Britton: Engaging Students with “Academics in Action”
Shannon Britton, the principal of Round Valley Elementary/Middle School on the Round Valley Indian Reservation in Covelo, California, has been dedicated to her community for 22 years. She used her $5,000 Dreamstarter Teacher grant to create “Academics in Action” days, designed to make learning fun and engaging throughout the school year.
• Objective: Increase student engagement and attendance by making learning fun.
• Activities: Themed days like “Science Circus Day,” where students rotate through stations to learn science skills through hands-on experiments.
• Impact:
• Increased school attendance.
• Boosted students’ knowledge in reading, science, and kindness.
• Enhanced excitement and engagement among students and teachers.
Shannon shared that the program led to a noticeable increase in student attendance and enthusiasm. “Teachers saw how eager the students were for these days,” she said. “Students even came up to me, hugged me, and told me how much fun they were having.”
Connie Michael: Bringing STEM to Life in Crow Agency
Connie Michael, a 5th-grade teacher at Crow Agency Public School in Montana, is dedicated to providing her students with enriching educational opportunities despite the high-poverty environment. Her school serves 368 students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade, all of whom are on free and reduced lunch, with 99% being Native American.
• Grant Amount: $3,000 Dreamstarter Teacher grant.
• Focus: Introduce STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education through technology, rockets, and robotics.
• Programs: Participation in NASA’s Roads Challenge for the Artemis program and the Sparx Challenge.
• Outcomes:
• Students engaged in engineering challenges.
• Interactive sessions with engineers and astronauts via Zoom.
• Expanded critical thinking and scientific understanding.
Connie expressed her gratitude for the grant, saying, “This funding allowed me to build a STEM classroom for my underserved students, expanding their ability to use technology and think like scientists.”
Becky Vordermann: Nature-Based Learning for Young Students
Becky Vordermann, also an educator at Round Valley Elementary/Middle School, used her $5,000 Dreamstarter Teacher grant to take first and second-grade students outdoors for nature-based learning experiences. She believes that environmental education can positively impact students, especially those who have experienced trauma.
• Goals: Engage students in environmental education and cultural learning.
• Activities: Exploring local flora and fauna, learning stories from Native American tribes, and a trip to the coast to study tide pools.
• Tools: Purchase of supplies, exploration kits, books, and snacks.
• Results:
• Increased student engagement and excitement for learning.
• Positive social interactions and teamwork among students.
• Safe and educational after-school activities.
Becky noted that the students were highly enthusiastic about the program. “They were constantly asking when we would meet again. They were excited to learn and participate in our activities,” she said.
By the Numbers: Dreamstarter Teacher Program Impact
• 2017: Program launched to support Native American educators.
• Up to $5,000: Maximum grant amount provided to educators.
• Three Educators Highlighted: Shannon Britton, Connie Michael, Becky Vordermann.
• Hundreds of Students Benefited: Across multiple Native American communities.
Conclusion
The Dreamstarter Teacher grant program has had a significant impact on Native classrooms by providing educators with the resources they need to create innovative and culturally relevant learning experiences. With the support of Running Strong for American Indian Youth®, teachers like Shannon Britton, Connie Michael, and Becky Vordermann are making a real difference in the lives of Native American students, fostering a brighter and more inclusive future for Native communities.