We are excited to introduce Dr. Georgina Badoni (Diné) as the new Native American Education Program Manager for Seattle Public Schools. Dr. Badoni brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to Native education, having served in a variety of academic and community-based roles, most recently as the Native American Studies Program Director and Professor at New Mexico State University. Her expertise spans Native education, visual studies, community building, and Indigenous gender and sexuality studies, with a particular emphasis on the intersectionality of these areas. Her work has consistently prioritized advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, which will be invaluable as she takes on this new role with Seattle Public Schools.

The hiring process for the Native Education Manager position was a collaborative and thoughtful effort designed to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and community involvement. The process began with a series of IPAC (Indian Parent Advisory Committee) meetings in September, October, and November, where discussions took place about the hiring process and desired leadership qualities. Stakeholder engagement was a central focus, and efforts were made to involve the community, tribal leadership, and educators throughout. The position was widely advertised in collaboration with HR, and families were informed in October, with links to the job posting and hiring training options. A reminder was sent to families in November and December to keep the position top of mind.

Input was gathered from various stakeholders, including Seqacib educators, the central office Native Education team, and Indian Parent Advisory Committee (IPAC), through intake conversations with SPS’s Human Resource. The interview process involved a diverse group of stakeholders, including šəqačib educators, school leaders, and representatives from the central office Native American Education department, Special Education, student/family support services, Black Studies, Ethnic Studies, IPAC, and HR. The selection committee used a co-developed screening rubric to evaluate candidates and design interview questions, ensuring a thorough and inclusive process. We would like to extend our thanks to the hiring committee for their dedication and collaboration throughout this process.

After interviews, Dr. Badoni met with IPAC, the Associate Superintendent of Academics, and the Executive Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction. The final step in the process was a meeting with the Superintendent to ensure alignment with the district’s vision and values.

Dr. Badoni’s dedication to supporting Native students’ academic and cultural success will continue to be a driving force as she collaborates with school staff, families, and the broader community. Her extensive experience in curriculum development and her focus on Indigenous knowledge systems will enhance the district’s commitment to culturally relevant teaching strategies. In her new role, Dr. Badoni will lead the Seattle Public Schools Native Education Team to support the success of Native students, ensuring their voices, cultures, and histories are honored within the educational system.

I am proud to be a part of the Native American Education team at SPS. Not only do I descend primarily from the three tribes above, I am also descended from the Squaxin, Snoqualmie, and Stillaguamish tribes. I was born and raised on the Yakama Nation reservation, and I recently discovered from my Muckleshoot and Puyallup relatives that both my maternal grandparents descend from the House of tciaƚtsa. I am even prouder to be their granddaughter.

I finished my 30th year as a classroom teacher Spring, 2021. Writing curriculum that reflects my tribes, my culture, and my family has always been my passion. I began my journey in early 2005, writing curriculum for the Washington State Historical Society and continued into 2007 as the principal writer for Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State. I still am one of the principal writers, but with a much larger writing team these days! Some of my projects include curriculum for the State of Oregon, the University of Montana’s Regional Learning Project (Now a part of the STI curriculum), the National Park Service (Honoring Tribal Legacies) and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (Why Do the Foods We Eat Matter? and The Fish Wars). I also contributed a chapter to Narrowing the Achievement Gap for Native American Students.

Hello, my name is Khemarak Pom, known on campus as Mr. Kam. I am the Instructional Assistant in šəqačib at Chief Sealth International High School.

My job is to help students navigate the rigors of school. The goal is to give academic support for Native youth. I assist in core subjects with emphasis on science and math.

I grew up in the Southwest Seattle neighborhood and it’s been a pleasure to go back to my roots at Sealth.

I’m an avid Seahawks fan and seriously wish the NBA comes back to Seattle.

Hau Mitakuyepi,

My name is Levi Harter and I’m a first year teacher and a citizen of the Oglala Lakota
Oyate. I grew up in small town rural Illinois just north of St. Louis and after high
school began my collegiate journey at Lewis and Clark Community College. After obtaining my Associates degree I traveled around the country until I caught wind of the Water Protection occupation at Standing Rock, commonly known as the #NODAPL protests. I spent just under five months, through the winter, at the encampment which empowered and politicized me with the vigor and fervor of true Indigenous Resistance to colonialism.

I received my Masters in Teaching from The Evergreen College in the Spring of 2022, with an endorsement in the area of secondary social studies. While at TESC I also earned my Bachelors within the Native Pathways Program, an upper level undergraduate program that emphasizes and promotes Indigeneity and critical analysis of the western framework.  Our motto was “we’re not here to study Indians, Indians are here to study.”  

As a new teacher I couldn’t be more excited to be serving our Native youth, this program and opportunity is more than I could’ve expected and am excited to bring my own Indigenized interpretation of a liberatory pedagogy to our bright young next generation. I hope to pass on the empowerment and strength that was imbued in me by many brilliant Native scholars, artists, activists, culture keepers, organizers and caretakers. Alongside a powerhouse of strong Native women already present within the Native Education department, I’m looking forward to utilizing each other’s strengths to protect and uplift our precious urban Indian Youth.

My name is Benayshe-Ba-Equay (Bird of the Water Woman) Titus, and I am excited to be back with the Native Education department after working as a tutor/mentor for Huchoosedah when I was still a college student. I am passionate about empowering our Indigenous youth and creating a supportive environment for them to realize their gifts and talents.

I have been a classroom teacher for 6th through 12th grade teaching English/Language Arts and social studies since 2004. I have a MA in Teaching from Seattle University,  a Native Education Certificate from UW, and a National Board Certification for Teaching in ELA.

I am an enrolled member of the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe (Newe) and a descendant of the Red Lake Nation (Ojibwe) and Karuk Tribe. I was raised in Oakland, CA with my dad and the Urban Indian community and attended Hintil Kuu Ca, a Native CDC pre-K-6th grade program. I was also raised on the Stillwater Indian Reservation in Fallon, NV with my mom’s family. I have lived in Seattle, WA since 1995.

Coming soon

My Name is Kurstyn. I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work and have over a decade of experience in the social services field at both the local and state government level. I chose a career in social services to educate people and let them know that with knowledge and behavior change, you can be the product of your efforts in life and not the product of where you have been. The favorite part of my job is collaborating with community members, educators, and families to positively impact the day-to-day lives of children and families. I enjoy knowing that my dedication to my clients in connecting them with essential resources, and demonstrating the important role of a social worker, can induce hope within the family and create happier and healthier lives.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, nature walks, reading, and being with my family.  I enjoy summer weather, laughing, and spending time with my 1-year-old Shih Tzu named Chachi, and I love sports, especially football and baseball.

Hello! I’m Katie Fries, the library assistant with the American Indian Resource Library. I hold a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Washington, where my studies focused on school librarianship and youth resources. I arrived at this profession after a twenty-year career in journalism, where I was a staff and freelance writer for various print and online publications. My interest in this field stems from the same place as my love for writing: the opportunity to tell, share, and preserve stories. To this end, I draw on the whole of my experiences in publishing, journalism, and librarianship to serve children and teens in library spaces. I’m excited to bring these skills to Seattle Public Schools and the American Indian Resource Library.

I enjoy reading, training for marathons, traveling (often to run marathons), and exploring our area’s trails and outdoor spaces with family and friends. I’m also learning to make my own handbound books, a fun indoor hobby to balance out all that time outside.

I live in Seattle with my husband, sons (both graduates of Seattle Public Schools), and two labradoodles.

Aloha!

My name is Kym Hogan, and I come to SPS with a 14-year background in teaching college-level English as a Second Language, academic writing, and pubic speaking. I have been lucky enough to teach English not only in the US but in other parts of the world including Indonesia and El Salvador.

I spent the last 5 years living and working in Hawaii, where I grew to love hiking and spending time in nature. As a result, I created an aina-based (place-based) writing curriculum in my college classes centered around how traditional Hawaiian values can positively impact sustainability and the environmental preservation concerns facing the islands.

I am excited to be back in Seattle to be closer to family and to be working for the Native American Education Department here at SPS to support our Native students and families. For any general questions about Native Ed, specific questions about your student’s eligibility for our Title VI grant program, or assistance in filling out the ED 506 form for eligibility, please contact me at kmhogan@seattleschools.org