In his role as the Native Student Program Specialist, Jerad provides cultural and academic support for about 230 Native American students from over 50 tribes, nations, bands, and villages. Jerad offers training and support to colleagues, is growing his district's Native studies program, and serves as the liaison to local tribes. He has played a key role in creating district policies supporting Native education, culture, and students. His most recent project was working on a bill requiring training in equity and government to government relations for educators and administrators.
Jerad says, “My advice to new teachers was the theme of my graduate cohort: teach the child in front of you. This involves adapting pedagogy, materials, relationships, supports, everything to each child and each class. Each new student is a new relationship and culture to learn from and use that knowledge to inform instruction, content, and inspire critical evaluation of curricula. Learning from and adapting to students makes us better teachers.”
