November Story Roundup: Indigenous Roots, Bright Futures

An indigenous teacher sits next to a students to review her work. She is smiling and wearing a brown shirt with a teal beading.

November Story Roundup: Indigenous Roots, Bright Futures

Meet five inspiring teachers making a difference for Indigenous students and communities nationwide.

Inspiring Teachers

This November, we celebrate Native American Heritage month by highlighting five indigenous educators who enrich their students’ learning by bringing their full selves into the classroom. Each story highlights how connecting learning to students’ and teachers’ cultures inspires pride, curiosity and understanding, opening doors to a brighter future for all.

1. From the Classroom to Space Camp (New Mexico)

Teacher Lorilei Chavez stands in a blue space suit standing in front of a building.

Lorilei Chavez, a social studies teacher at Bernalillo High School and member of Kewa (Santo Domingo) Pueblo, is literally reaching new heights. As New Mexico’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, she traveled to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.

Lorilei is the first Indigenous educator in the state to receive this honor. She’s using her platform to advocate for Indigenous representation, culturally sustaining education and teacher well-being. Her mission is to help every student feel seen, valued and connected to their roots in the classroom and beyond.

(Source: Rio Rancho Observer)

Native potter Clarence Cruz sits at a table making pottery.

Clarence Cruz, a Tewa artist from Ohkay Owingeh, has spent 25 years teaching ceramics at the University of New Mexico. A beloved educator, he encourages students of all backgrounds to honor their own cultural identities while learning from Native traditions.

For Clarence, pottery is more than art. It is a vessel for cultural knowledge and storytelling. As he prepares to retire in 2026, his impact on students and the preservation of Indigenous art continues to shape generations.

View on Instagram or click below for the article. (Source: UNM News)

Sophia Bagola wears a graduation cap and gown. She is standing with another woman and holding bouquets of flowers.

Sophia Bagola, a Lakota and Sioux middle‑school teacher in Colorado, brings Indigenous culture to life by teaching students the Lakota language.

Working with tribal elders, she helps students learn not just words, but the cultural and community connections that the language carries. Her approach strengthens students’ identities and ties to their heritage, making her classroom a place to preserve and celebrate Native culture.

Check it out on Facebook, here or click below to read the article. (Source: Colorado Education Association)

Fifth grade teacher Connie Michaels teaches a class of children in a classroom.

Fifth grade teacher Connie Michaels at Crow Agency Public School has received a $27,000 national grant to support her Indigenous‑focused STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art & math) program. She draws on Indigenous perspectives and local community strengths to design lessons that connect students with both traditional culture and modern technology. Connie calls her approach “indigi‑STEAM.”

Click the button below to see the YouTube video. (Source: KQTV News)

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5. Throwback Favorite from 2024 (Oklahoma)

Linette Amparan stands with another person on a stage. She is dressed in Native clothing and standing in front of colorful balloons.

For almost 30 years, teacher Linette Amparan had dreamed of earning her bachelor’s degree to help children in the Comanche Nation preserve their language and heritage. In 2024, she got her degree and passed her teacher certification tests. See how her students at Comanche Academy Charter School celebrated the culmination of her inspiring journey.

Click the button below to see the YouTube video. (Source: NBC News)

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