FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona University’s College of Education is hosting a conference to better prepare teachers of Native American students.

The American Indian Teacher Education Conference held June 12 – 13 will bring together educators, administrators, board members, tribal officials and parents to share ideas and experiences on how to better prepare teachers of Native American students.

“We need to develop teachers who can engage their students in a rigorous study of local issues that tribal communities face, while at the same time broadening their students’ horizons and engaging them to learn more about our nation and our world,” said Jon Reyhner, a professor of education. “We won’t get or keep these teachers we need unless we respect them and teach our kids to respect them.”

Reyhner is conference co-chair with Joseph Martin, an associate professor of educational leadership who recently was appointed as NAU President John Haeger’s first special adviser on Native American issues.

The conference will be held in the College of Education’s Eastburn Education Center and the Wettaw Biology and Biochemistry building auditorium. It will feature keynote speakers Bill Demmert and Thomas Peacock.

Demmert, a Tinglit and Sioux, is one of the founders of the National Indian Education Association and was the first U.S. Deputy Commissioner of Education for the U.S. Office of Indian Education.

Peacock is a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. He is the associate dean of the College of Education and Human Service Professions at the University of Minnesota and has authored and contributed to a number of books on Native education, Ojibwe history and race relations.

For information about the conference, contact Reyner at Jon.Reyhner@nau.edu or (928) 523-0580, or Martin at Joseph.Martin@nau.edu or (928) 523-0580.