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Articles
Sept. 3, 2002
ONE OF FIRST P.I.T.A.S. STUDENTS NOW TEACHER
When Barbara Cadiente-Nelson began an internship for aspiring teachers at a Juneau school recently, she literally turned heads as she walked among the students.
"The Native children would do a double take seeing me in the classroom and in the hallway," said Cadiente-Nelson, an Eagle, Bear. "The children would look twice, which says to me they needed that affirmation. They needed to see other Natives have been successful in the system and that they too can be successful."
Cadiente-Nelson completed the internship, earned her masters degree in teaching, and in summer 2002, she accepted a teaching job at Juneau-Douglas High School. The feat made her the first Alaska Native to become a teacher through Preparing Indigenous Teachers for Alaska Schools, or P.I.T.A.S., a program sponsored by SHI and the state University of Alaska Southeast.
One goal of the program is to grow the number of Alaska Native teachers by offering financial assistance for tuition and other college expenses at UAS to aspiring Native teachers. For Cadiente-Nelson, who had accrued debt earning her bachelor’s degree, the P.I.T.A.S. program made it feasible to pursue a longtime dream of teaching in a public school.
"I probably would not have pursued this degree considering the cost for tuition, but that’s not all; I support and laud the vision of the P.I.T.A.S. program. It’s been part of my vision," said Cadiente-Nelson, referring to a component of the program that teaches Native traditions and values to P.I.T.A.S. students.
SHI President Rosita Worl and Tlingit cultural leader David Katzeek of the Shangukeidi Clan taught that component of the program in August at UAS during a two-week summer institute, primarily attended by students in high school or recently graduated from high-school and pursuing degrees in education.
The Tlingit culture portion of the summer institute focused on how traditional values, stories, and morals are still relevant to the culture that the young students are living in today. The traditional Tlingit morals, including respect, nobility and responsibility, were illustrated during P.I.T.A.S. through telling of traditional Tlingit stories, such as the Killer Whale story, and the Raven, Rock and Salmon story, in keeping with the Tlingit oral tradition. The P.I.T.A.S. students also learned several traditional blessings and chants, all in the Tlingit language. Other topics covered during the institute included traditional Tlingit clan structure, traditional property rights, and the importance of working together as a culture to get things accomplished.
"It enhances education of Native children to be taught by someone from their own culture who shares their Native values and worldview," said Worl, who hopes to attract more students next year.
Many students who attend the summer program are awarded UAS scholarships, ranging from $6,900 to $8,900 for tuition, fees, books, supplies and room and board. An estimated 32 P.I.T.A.S. students will receive scholarships in 2002 – up from 23 last year. People interested in this program are encouraged to call Program Coordinator Rhonda Hickok in Juneau at 465-8757.