| |
|
Our
Story
The Native American Community
Academy was a collaborative effort and the dream of many educators,
parents, various professionals and leaders throughout Albuquerque and
surrounding communities.
In Albuquerque, New Mexico
there are approximately 5,500 Native American Students in the local
school system among a total of 80,000 students. This population is
steadily growing mirroring nationwide estimates that currently 66% of
all Native American families live in urban areas nationwide.
Albuquerque has a unique connection to native communities throughout
New Mexico and the United States. All who contribute to a strong
foundation for education through unique learning philosophies, diverse
cultural perspectives and an impressive network of community
organizations and professionals eager to support our youth.
NACA aims to draw upon these
strengths.
Many community leaders --
teachers, physicians, parents, community advocates and business owners
led discussions with some important educational issues in mind. How can
we begin to impact public education to embrace the future while
sustaining our identities, culture and traditions?
Answering the call, quality
educators, health professionals, community leaders, tribal leaders,
students and parents joined to begin laying the foundation for the
Native American Community Academy. They followed the dream for a
community school and that has become a reality.
The Native American Community Academy is excited to offer parents and
families of all students a unique and innovative school.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Governing Council
NACA’s governing council members offer several areas of expertise,
knowledge and skills. They are committed to NACA and our vision for
learning and student success in all aspects of their lives. Our
governing board members also serve as role models for our students and
believe in giving back to our community.
Tiffany S. Lee, Ph.D.
Native American Studies, University of New Mexico
Tiffany Lee is Diné and Lakota from Crystal, New Mexico. She is
a former high school social studies teacher, language arts teacher, and
volleyball coach at schools on the Navajo Nation and at the Santa Fe
Indian School (SFIS). She has worked with and learned from several
unique Indigenous educational programs, such as the Community-Based
Education Model at SFIS and the Tribal Resource Institute in Business,
Engineering, and Science (TRIBES). Currently, she is an Assistant
Professor in Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico
where she teaches courses related to Indigenous education, language
loss and revitalization, and research issues in Native Studies.
Dr. Ed
McKenzie, MD
Presbyterian Medical Group
“Ya at'eeh. My name is Edward McKenzie. I am a Navajo from Shiprock,
NM. I am currently employed as a Hospitalist Physician with
Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico.” After graduating
from Shiprock High School on the Navajo Reservation, Dr. McKenzie
completed a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Utah in
Salt Lake City, Utah.
“I desired to follow in my father's
footsteps (Dr. Taylor McKenzie, the first Navajo Surgeon) in the
profession of medicine and was awarded my medical degree from the
University of New Mexico.” After completing an Internal Medicine
residency at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, Dr. McKenzie
worked at the Gallup Indian Medical Center. After two years, he moved
to Albuquerque where he has worked and lived since 2002.
“I look forward to offering my experience
and guidance as a NACA board member in the coming years. I see it as a
unique and exciting challenge as a Native American parent and
professional. Thank you.”
Michael
Canfield, President
Valliant Enterprises, Inc.
Mr. Canfield has an extensive background in the area of business and
community involvement. Mr. Canfield founded First American Office
Products, Inc, in 1989 and purchased Valliant Printing Company and
merged both companies in 1993 forming Valliant Enterprises, Inc. He was
raised and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mike is a member from
Laguna Pueblo.
He presently serves on the board for the
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has served
as a board member on the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, St. Pius X
High School Foundation, a Board representative on the NM State
Workforce Development Board and is presently an active board member on
the New Mexico Youth Commission. His dedication to Native American
communities and education will strengthen the NACA community and
connect NACA students to many opportunities throughout New Mexico.
Louis Weller,
FAIA
Weller Architects, P.C.
Mr. Weller is a member of the Caddo Nation. Mr. Weller was raised in
Albuquerque, NM and is a strong supporter of public education and
Native American communities. Louis Weller, a resident of Albuquerque,
New Mexico, has made a name for himself as an architect. In 1959, he
graduated from the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture
and Planning; he was the first Native American graduate of this
program. Weller served as the chairperson of the Native American Design
Collaborative, a consortium of 23 Native-owned design and engineering
firms, and was instrumental in designing the new National Museum of the
American Indian in Washington, D.C. In 1980 he established an
architectural firm that specializes in projects for Indians. Weller is
the son of Louis “Rabbit” Weller, Sr. and Mayme Glad.
Founding Principal
Kara Bobroff is Navajo/Lakota and was raised in Albuquerque. She began
her educational career teaching behaviorally disordered middle school
students in Albuquerque. She served as Assistant Principal in APS at a
low-income urban school for two years and served for four years at a
“Distinguished School” in Marin County, CA. As principal of Newcomb
Middle School in 2003-2004, Kara served 250 Navajo students and 7
different reservation communities in New Mexico. When she became
Principal in 2003, Newcomb Middle School was recognized for its
academic achievement by the local school board.
Kara was recently identified as one of the “Best Emerging Social
Entrepreneurs” in the country and awarded a national Echoing Green
Fellowship to establish NACA as one of the first urban academies to
support language, culture, health and college preparation for youth.
Through her work, NACA has been selected as the first “Collaborative
Charter” in the state of New Mexico by the Albuquerque Public School
District.
Kara received her Masters in Special
Education and an Ed.S in
Educational Administration as a Danforth Scholar from the University of
New Mexico. As a graduate of Albuquerque Public Schools and UNM, Kara
has used her professional training and experience in public education
to develop thoughtful curricula, rigorous academic standards and real
partnerships with parents and communities. Her role models represent a
long line of educators such as her family, colleagues and gifted
mentors. She hopes that NACA can provide students with what great
teachers and mentors have provided her along the way.
|
|
|
|
|
