Science Team
Mr. Nicholas Dakota Begay--6th/7th Grade Science
Dakota Begay, who is half Navajo/Dine and part Cherokee, was born in Gallup, New Mexico but grew up in the Albuquerque metro area as the youngest of five. He attended the Central New Mexico Community College before graduating from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Philosophy, all the while working as a technician. He then attended Relay Graduate School of Education to obtain a master's degree in teaching with a focus in Mathematics. He joined NACA in 2021 first as a Math teacher before moving to Science. Dakota has long been a fan of science and finding ways to incorporate native stories and wisdom into his curriculum. He is currently working on a collaboration with the LANLF and NISN to create an indigenous science curriculum. His passion for teaching and working comes from a desire to help heal the wounds that education has left on Native Communities.
Mr. Brian Zimmerman--7th/8th Grade Science 
I am Dine on my mother’s side, from the walks around clan. Laguna on my father’s side, in the sun clan. I have been teaching science since 2013 When I was asked to be a long term substitute for Sanders middle school 8th grade science team in Sanders, Arizona. I have taught in small schools such as Wide Ruins elementary school in Wide Ruins, Arizona where I have sponsored a science fair. Large schools like Kennedy middle school in Gallup, NM. I appreciate teaching at Native American Community Academy where I can teach students the value of community and prayer as well as learning and being excited about science.