Zach Hawkins

 Zach Hawkins

406-444-0708
Director of Indian Education for All

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Oversight of IEFA Unit Educational Resource Development and Dissemination
  2. Provides PD to School Staff and Educational Stakeholders
  3. Leads IEFA K-12 and RESA Grant Administration

Office Hours via Zoom Monday and Wednesday 2:30 - 4:00

(Availability contingent upon travel and work schedule)

Zach Hawkins has been Director of Indian Education for All at the Montana Office of Public Instruction since December, 2018. Prior to joining the OPI, he worked with American Indian students and school communities as a classroom teacher and Federal college access program administrator for 18 years. In previous positions, he led the Hays-Lodgepole Thunderbirds to their first football victory in five years, was chosen as a Helena Education Foundation Distinguished Educator, and co-led the National Council for Community Educational Partnerships' College and Career Readiness Evaluation Project.

As the IEFA team leader, he stresses the importance of Indigenous contributions to the Treasure State's rich history and integration of the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians into curriculum and lesson planning. He relishes any and all opportunities to work with teachers, schools, and stakeholders in their efforts to realize Montana's constitutionally mandated IEFA implementation requirement.

Zach and his wife have two boys ages 11 and 15. In his free time, he attends his boys' sporting events, skis, and explores Montana with his family.

Joan Franke

 Joan Franke

406-444-3694
Administrative Assistant

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Conference work
  2. Publications Requests Fulfillment
  3. MACIE meetings

Joan Franke has worked in OPI‘s Indian Education office as an administrative assistant for over 20 years. Her rich experiences include supporting the development of curriculum and materials, coordinating professional development events, and distribution of materials. She actively participates in Irish cultural activities and celebrations and is an avid reader.

Jennifer Stadum

 Jennifer Stadum

406-444-0725
Indian Education Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Indian Education for All Implementation Resource Development and Professional Development Provider
  2. Indian Education for All Best Practices Annual Conference Coordinator
  3. Co-leads and Coordinates IEFA K-12 and RESA Grant Administration

Office Hours via Zoom Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 - 9:00

(Availability contingent upon travel and work schedule)

Jennifer Stadum is an Indian Education Specialist at the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Over the past ten years Jennifer has worked with every tribe in Montana on culturally relevant materials and tribally specific resources for implementation across all disciplines in K-12 public education. She is currently working on virtual professional development for PK-20 Teachers across Montana that is supportive of authentic and meaningful IEFA implementation. Prior to joining the OPI, Jennifer published her Master of Science in Science Education thesis on her landscape level research on long-billed curlews and sandhill cranes at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Being able to combine her love of science with Indian Education makes her job very exciting. Outside of work Jennifer loves Montana’s seasons, gardening, and hiking.

 

 

Mike Jetty

 Mike Jetty

406-444-0720
Indian Education Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

  1. Updates IEFA lesson plans and collaborates with teachers and other educational entities to facilitate the development of culturally relevant resources.
  2. Provides on-site and in-person IEFA presentations and professional development as requested.
  3. Ongoing work to institutionalize IEFA through accreditation, content standards, and policies.

Office Hours via Zoom - Monday and Wednesday 8:00 - 9:30

(Availability contingent upon travel and work schedule)

Mike Jetty is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation and a Turtle Mountain Chippewa descendant. Mike is currently working at the Montana Office of Public Instruction as an Indian Education Specialist.

Mike has been working with Indian Education issues for the past 32 years and has teaching experience at both the K-12 and University levels. He has a B.S. in History Education, a Master’s in School Administration, and an Education Specialist Degree. Please contact Mike if you are looking for ideas and resources to support your Indian Education for All instructional efforts. In addition to his work with K-12 education, he is an active member of the American Indian and Minority Achievement Council for the Montana University System.