OCR Text |
Show Ncho WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2007 • B3 Covering what matters most Title VII success Lana Hiskey NEBO DISTRICT Title VII Native American coordinator, Eileen Quintana started nine years ago developing the Nebo Title VII Native American Program. After making home visits, she found 87 students to enroll. When she checked on their attendance and grades at school, she said, **I had a sudden jolt to get to work." The Native American students averaged only 37 percent graduation rates. Quintana started this Title VII program with only $11,000. Now, she averages about $187 per student and writes grants to fund after school programs and workshops. Quintana hired master teacher Brenda Beyal, who had great ideas and started a summer school. Beyal has taught Indian education for nine years. She has a passion for two areas — Indian education and multi-age education. She started with 13 students nine years ago and now has over 100 students in summer school. Mathematics, reading and art through culture are some of the subjects taught. Students can earn credit recovery and even graduate early from high school. When addressing the Nebo Board of Education, Beyal mentioned that the students were learning much through a service project with African children. Beyal also explained the STAR reading program. Beyal received Utah's "No Child Left Behind 2006 American Star of Teaching award this past September at a surprise assembly where NATIVE TALENT: Pictured above are Native American students and the Secretary of Education Senior Advisor, teachers. The students presented a basket dance for the Nebo Board of Norma Garze, flew out from Washington Education. Eileen Quintana, below, and Brenda Beyal, right, address the DC. to award the honor. In Beyal's final Board. words to the board, she quoted Aristotle, "Give me a firm spot on which to stand, and I will move the earth." The Native American program started an Artist in Residency class that gives the students an opportunity to perform through their own native culture. These students have performed for the 2002 Olympics, the Governor of Utah and for national conventions in the Native American community. Quintana was instrumental in the annual Nebo/Juab Title VU Powwow held each April. This event allows parents, families and youth to celebrate in a cultural activity where they can share their songs, dances and traditional teachings of Native American culture. Over 25. different tribes gather here in Nebo district to compete in dance competitions in their traditional regalia. The graduation rate for the Native American students in Nebo School District is now 97 percent under the direction of Eileen Quintana and her master teachers. Quintana received a distinguished award from Forest Ciich, director of Utah Division of Indian Affairs for her outstanding work. , Four Native American students danced a basket dance to the delight of the Nebo Board of Education and patrons. Courtesy photos / Lana Hiskey - 1 . '. •' Jj St;5 ' • ii If )rL ' - ^ » i m -If 1' T f \« ] fit-J i* ' !r f T;*' / Mf* 1 If Superintendent of the Year i Wj JE|mWSWB II EM ^ ^ 1 I 1 1 Security Insurance Keeping you jafe under any circumstance. MAN OF THE YEAR: Superintendent Chris Sorensen was selected as Urban Superintendent of the Year at the State PTA Convention this month. He was selected for his outstanding leadership in student achievement and accountability, diversity, professional development and most importantly his parental involvement. Other factors included Superintendent Sorensen's good working relationship with teachers, principals, staff and leaders as well as the promotion of public education. Drawing liy Gideon Bates, age 6 BO Courtesy photo SB! 5 = 5^^=5 fcsss^^ Q rInsurance rr^^" A'G'E'N'C'Y 290 N. Main Spanish Fork 798-3500 |