Position has been filled and is no longer available.
Position Title: | Educator / Mentor | Position Type: | Salary Employee |
Posting Date: | 05/23/2022 | Application Deadline: | 07/15/2022 |
Employer: | Elderberry Wisdom Farm | Salary Range: | $4,000 mo. |
Position Description: We are recruiting a classroom educator and mentor for the Journey of Transformation Project at Chemawa Indian School, Salem, Oregon. This individual will provide culturally-responsive support to freshmen Native American students in the classroom in partnership with Indigenous Wellness Research Institute at University of Washington, Chemawa Indian School, the Chemawa Student Council, and the Native American nonprofit, Elderberry Wisdom Farm, which created the project.
Over three years, freshmen Native American students will explore traditional Native American cultural values and cultural arts in health and ecology classrooms as they learn healthy models of wellness. This culturally-rich curriculum is based on tribal and family cultural strengths, and is compatible with learning styles of students.
Lesson plans are designed to strengthen student wellness and resilience and will include traditional stories, songs and other cultural traditions of tribes which have endured despite more than a century of restrictions. They will be guided by story… traditional stories from students’ ancestry… oral history of Native elders transformed by restoring their rich cultural values and spirituality… personal narratives from vulnerable but gifted students on their journey of transformation. The Indigenous Wellness Research Institute at University of Washington is conducting this five-year research project to document the impact of the project on students using the learning model developed by the Native American nonprofit, Elderberry Wisdom Farm.
The educator/mentor will be trained to use Native American leadership qualities and consultation principles with support of a team of Native American educators, elders and cultural leaders; and partner with student leaders from Chemawa Student Council who are serving as exemplary role models to fellow students. The educator will work with certified classroom educators so a teaching certificate is preferred but not required.
Candidate Requirements:
Five years of experience working with Native American youth and/or Native communities, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Post-secondary education may be substituted for work experience.
The candidate must pass federal employee hiring requirements.
A teaching certificate is preferred but not required.
This is a research project and the candidate must be willing to protect identifying or personal information from release to other parties; and ensure that participant lists are stored properly and destroyed as identified in human subjects protocols.
Preferred skills and abilities:
Help the leadership and educational team finalize health resiliency lesson plans that best meet diverse needs of incoming Freshman students
Proven leadership skills and ability to mentor and support Native youth and elders as a member of the Chemawa Student Council in partnership with project Elders Council
Intermediate skill and proficiency in Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Proven written/oral communication skills with students, staff, elders, and partners
Excellent attention to detail, organizational and prioritization skills
Ability to prepare reports and documents and submit weekly reports
The position provides two months off in summer months (June and July) and may extend for up to three years. A teaching certificate is not required as the educator will work with a certified educator during classroom education. The annual salary for 10 months of employment, August through May, is $40,000 ($4,000 @ 10 months). To apply or if you have inquiries or questions, please contact Sara at Elderberry Wisdom Farm at elderberrywisdom@gmail.com.
Mission: Elderberry Wisdom Farm provides opportunities for Native Americans, communities of color and public audiences to raise awareness of the rich cultural heritage and Traditional Ecological Knowledge of America’s First Peoples. We work with diverse collaborative partners to provide educational and workforce opportunities so Native people can fulfill meaningful career pathway plans, strengthen health and wellness and achieve prosperity. Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all, we strive to strengthen understanding, appreciation and respect for the wisdom and knowledge of Native American elders, cultural leaders and indigenous scientists.