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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PRESTENE GARNENEZ spent her youth running around the red sandstone bluffs of Red Lake-Navajo... truth be told, she was actually supposed to be herding her Mom's sheep. Sheepherding afforded her the opportunity to appreciate nature and all her surroundings as well as provide quiet time to read. Drawing upon her experiences, Ms. Garnenez pursued the study of science and nature (Biology/Mathematics) and later--of human nature-- a Master's degree in Planning with emphasis in Community Economic Development and Enviromental Analysis. Since returning home, she's bee a passionate advocate in the revitaliztion and balanced growth of her community, Red Lake-Navajo. She is also a founding member of the local grassroots organization, the Red Lake-Navajo Community Action Group which strives to improve the quality of life in the Red Lake-Navajo community. She also holds officer positions with two other boards/commitees: Vice-Chairperson, for a local housing non-profit and the President of the Red Lake #18 Chapter’s Community Land Use Planning Committee.
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DEAP's Governing Council
Shayla Yellowhair: MA in Special Education. Currently working as Manager of Teacher Leadership Development at Teach for America New Mexico. Ms. Cooke has taught special education in Navajo for 8 years. She has knowledge and experience in management, leadership, teaching, coaching and training. Ms. Cooke also serves as an advisor in TFA’s national Native Alliance Initiative to improve educational outcomes for Native children.
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. Contact Benita at blitson@deapschool.org.
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.
Ryan Dennison: Ryan is 26 years old and a Diné educator from Tohatchi, NM. He currently lives in Gallup, NM as an educator with indigenous communities actively maintaining, renewing and revitalizing traditional knowledge linking, food, culture, health and the environment.
McKeon Dempsey: Yá’át’ééh ałtaał’áásiiłgóó, shik’éí dóó shidiné’é, shihastóí, shizáanii. McKeon K. Dempsey dashijiní. Ádoone’é ígíí éí Kiiya’áanii Dine’é nishłí dóó Tsédeeshgiizhnii Dine’é bashíshchíín. Áádóó Tódích’íi’nii Dine’é éí dashicheii dóó Biih Bitoodnii Dine’é éí dahshinálí. Ákwót’áo Diné asdzání nishłí. I am originally from Oak Springs, Arizona. I graduated from Window Rock High School in 2008 and was then accepted into Santa Fe’s Institute of American Indian Arts where I earned by Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 2012 in Studio Arts with an emphasis in traditional black and white photography, as well as a minor in Art History. I had the prestigious honor of representing the great Navajo Nation as the 2014 – 2015 Miss Navajo Nation. I believe strongly in the resiliency of the Diné language and its inherent teachings as well as the impact that art can have on culture.
Regina Manygoats: My Name is Regina Manygoats, my clans are Tábąąhá and born for Táchii’nii. I am originally from Many Farms, Arizona and have resided in Navajo, NM for a majority of my life. I am currently employed with Navajo Tribal Utility Authority in Fort Defiance, Arizona as a Billing Clerk for 14 years. I graduated from Chinle High School in 1999. I have attended various colleges; however, I am currently in the midst of obtaining my degree with a major in Criminal Justice. I am married and have three children. I was raised with traditional values as I was growing up with a lot of teachings from my grandparents and parents. I am very appreciative for an opportunity to serve on the Governing Council. I would like for the school to succeed in many ways so our children will be able to excel in many different areas of life. I would very much love to help make a difference and develop DEAP. It is my pleasure to join the council.