Mailing Address: PO BOX 156 Navajo,NM 87328
Physical Location: Shepard Springs Boulevard/Mill Road Navajo, NM 87328
Phone Number: (505)777-2053
Physical Location: Shepard Springs Boulevard/Mill Road Navajo, NM 87328
Phone Number: (505)777-2053
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KAYLA DAWN BEGAY is an emerging leader and Diné woman from the community of Navajo, NM. She is Tódích’íi’nii born for Táchii’nii. She earned her B.A. in Sociology and Education from Occidental College and M.A. in Elementary Education from UNM. As a product of Navajo, NM, Kayla returned to fulfill the desire of Diné Nation’s wish that Navajo students go and get an education and return to make their communities better. Kayla has taught at Navajo Elementary, a school she went to. Her experiences enabled her to be a role model for her students, staff and community members in her actions and mindsets of hope, strength, perseverance, and belief that anything is possible. In the classroom, Kayla is able to build and maintain strong relationships with her students and their families and convey her love and belief in their ability to succeed despite so many obstacles against them. Her work with the community of Navajo and partnership with the NACA Inspired Schools Networkto create a school based in the community vision speaks volumes to her understanding and deep belief that all students deserve an education that allows them to be firm in their identities and reclaim their rights as Native people on a sovereign land. Kayla is currently a NACA Inspired Schools Network Fellow, W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellow, Teach for America Alumni, and serves on the Red Lake-Navajo Community Action Group council.
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DEAP's Governing Council
Benita Litson: MS in Environmental Resource Management, BS in Agribusiness and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Currently, the Director of Diné College-Land Grant Office, Ms. Litson has served in this capacity for 9 years. She has provided professional experiences in project development for Navajo Ranchers and Farmers by offering technical service around rangeland management, conservation planning workshops, and various extension and outreach programs. In addition to her responsibility to the Navajo Communities, she has developed a Natural Resource Certificate Program and serves as an Instructor for the program’s courses at Diné College.
Michaela Shirley: Michaela Paulette Shirley is Water Edge, born for Bitterwater. Her maternal grandfather is Salt and her paternal grandfather is Coyote Pass. She was born in Fort Defiance, AZ and grew up in Kin Dah Lichii (Red House), AZ. She received her bachelor’s in urban planning from Arizona State University, and a master’s in community and regional planning from the University of New Mexico. Michaela’s background is in urban planning, community planning, and Indigenous planning, with research interests in community development, community-school relationship, youth engagement/development, biographies of landscape, decolonization, and Navajo feminism/cultural studies. Shirley’s master’s thesis, entitled, “The Role of Schools in the Community Development of Kin Dah Lichii, Arizona”, will provide the foundation for her PhD work. Michaela is the Program Specialist for the Indigenous Design and Planning Institute(iD+Pi). Shirley plans and coordinates the development and implementation of subprograms, special projects, and other initiatives to achieve the overall mission of iD+Pi. Shirley oversees the day-to-day operations of the various iD+Pi programs and activities. Michaela serves as a primary liaison for the iD+Pi and represents the University with respect to program activities on a local, regional, national, and international basis.
Gavin Sosa: Gavin moved to New Mexico in 2002. He taught English/Language Arts for 6 years in the small town of Navajo, NM. He was also a successful cross country and track coach with his girls and boys teams winning numerous State Championships. After leaving the classroom in 2008, Gavin attended Stanford University's Graduate School of Education, earning his master's degree in education leadership. After completing his degree he returned to the Southwest, working as a Leadership Fellow at the Native American Community Academy (NACA) in Albuquerque. As a NACA Leadership Fellow, Gavin worked with NACA's founders and administrators to learn about the charter school start-up process and school leadership. In 2012, he moved to Shiprock to coach the Dine College cross country and track programs, and to work with the Dream Dine Charter School founding team. Along with working with the students, staff, ad families of Dream Dine as Director of Operations, Gavin was also involved with various community projects across Shiprock. After leaving Dream Dine in 2016, Gavin got married to his beautiful wife and moved to Kayenta, Arizona where he worked as a classroom assistant and continued coaching. In July 2018, he moved to Houck, AZ where he works as the Native American Baha'i Institute as the Operations Manager. He continues to volunteer in his community, working with children, youth, adults, and elders while also serving as a member of the DEAP Governing Council.
