OIE Newsletter

Hello Everyone,

We are excited to welcome the 2026-2027 school year! This year, our newsletter will move to a quarterly format, with two special editions published during the holiday season and at the end of the school year. We look forward to sharing updates, resources, opportunities, and celebrations with you throughout the year.

ADE Updates

• Highlights resources, initiatives, and opportunities from across the Arizona Department of Education.
• Features a different ADE department in each edition.
• Provides updates on programs, services, and statewide efforts that support Arizona students and schools.
• This month, we will spotlight the Office of Indian Education.

OIE Updates & Announcements

• Shares the latest news from the Office of Indian Education.
• Includes upcoming events, important deadlines, and program updates.
• Provides information on grants, student opportunities, and community engagement efforts.
• Keeps educators, families, and tribal communities informed about OIE initiatives and resources.

• Features professional development opportunities and training resources.
• Highlights instructional tools, classroom resources, and best practices.
• Shares grant opportunities, educator programs, and leadership development resources.
• Supports educators serving Native American students and communities throughout Arizona.

Resources & Opportunities (3x a school year)

• Targeted toward families, caregivers, and community members.
• Provides information on scholarships, youth programs, and community resources.
• Shares back-to-school resources at the start of the academic year.
• Highlights family support resources during the holiday season.
• Provides summer programs, enrichment opportunities, and end-of-year resources as the school year concludes.

Educator Spotlight

• Celebrates the accomplishments of educators that serve Native American students across Arizona.
• Highlights academic achievement, leadership, cultural engagement, and community service.

Hello Everyone,

This newsletter will be highlighting our unit within ADE, the Office of Indian Education, what services we provide, our current projects, and our staff. Our office and duties are established under the Arizona Revised Statutes A.R.S. § 15-244

The major services we provide include funding through Johnson-O'Malley (JOM), facilitating tribal consultation between Arizona's 22 federally recognized tribes and Local Education Agencies (LEAs), and creating professional learning opportunities that equip Arizona educators with the knowledge and skills needed to better serve Indigenous students. Our office also supports Indigenous students across the state by promoting and ensuring adherence to Indian education policies.

The Office of Indian Education hosts and facilitates the Indian Education Advisory Council (IEAC) which consists of community members, tribal leaders, and educators. Our office also provides free public webinars through OIE Connect, featuring ADE staff and community partners who share resources, information, and learning opportunities.

We invite you to join us at the 2026 OIE Annual Summit for an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn with educators, tribal partners, caregivers, and community members dedicated to Native American student success. The event features 20 breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and the return of the popular Culture Expo.

For more information about registration or other event details, please click the link below to visit the OIE Annual Summit webpage.

2026 OIE Annual Summit | Department of Education

Our first OIE Connect webinar of the 2026-2027 school year will be held on September 14th from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM MST. Moving forward, OIE Connect webinars will be hosted quarterly to provide updates, resources, and opportunities for educators, families, and community members.

Click the image to the right or the link below to register.
OIE Connect Webinar registration

Join OIE for the first webinar in our four-part Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkit Series for the 2026-2027 school year.

Webinar #1 Beginning with Understanding: Tribal Sovereignty, Arizona Law, and Graduation Planning

📅 Date: September 23, 2026

🕒 Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm MST

📍 Platform: Zoom Webinar

🎯 Audience: School and district leaders, principals, counselors, graduation coordinators, and Native American Education programs.

Register Here: https://azed-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9r7psN0bQUyh75o5ApbH2g

Participants will:

• Learn about Arizona laws protecting the right of Native American students to wear tribal regalia and culturally significant items at graduation ceremonies.
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of schools, districts, students, and families.
• Review key resources from the Tribal Regalia Graduation Toolkit.
• Explore strategies for proactive planning and positive communication throughout the school year.
• Gain newly released digital resources that you can print and use immediately.

Hoop of Learning (HOL) | Maricopa Community Colleges

Maricopa Community Colleges’ Hoop of Learning (HOL) is an early high school-to-college bridge program available at nine of their ten colleges. HOL’s intention is to reduce economic and cultural barriers that American Indian students may face while helping them transition from high school to college.

Native Services - Boys & Girls Club of Flagstaff

Boys & Girls Club has been serving Native Youth in Northern Arizona Since 2017, the program has expanded its impact through services provided to students at the Flagstaff Bordertown Dormitory, T'iisyaakin, and the Winslow Residential Halls. Native Services is the nation’s largest youth service provider for Native youth – with its essential focus on Native history and culture using outcome-driven programs to target success

Phoenix Indian Center has programming catered towards high school students. The year-round, open enrollment program is designed for students in high school to help prepare them for success in post-secondary education, the workforce and their personal lives. The program is centered around college, career, culture, and prevention. Components include college and career exploration, visits to local employers, college tours, guest speakers, and leadership training.

TOCC offers a dual enrollment program that allows students in grades 9 through 12 to receive academic credit from both the college and their high school. The Dual Enrollment courses are taught on the TOCC Campus, on high school campuses, or online. Courses are numbered 100 level and above and are transferable to another post-secondary institution.

Dual Credit Program - Dine College

High school students can get an early start by earning college credits through Diné College's Dual Credit Program while still attending high school. Courses offered through Diné College vary from the General Education core in subjects like English, Math, Humanities, Fine Arts, History, and Science.

The dual credit courses may be taught on a Diné College campus or on a high school campus. Note: Contact your high school to see if they are partnered with Dine College to determine location of instruction.

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) are federally assisted meal programs through the United States Department of Agriculture, operating in public and private nonprofit schools and residential childcare institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free breakfasts and lunches to children each school day.

The link below directs you to the application for free and reduced meals.

National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program - Program Forms and Resources | Department of Education

If you have any questions, please contact Health and Nutrition Services

ContactHNS@azed.gov

(602) 542-8700

We have provided links to the Arizona Department of Economic Security's website. The department focuses on providing assistance to those in need from helping secure resources to food, housing, clothing and employment. If you or anyone you know may need these resources, please direct them to the links below.

Basic Needs | Arizona Department of Economic Security

Child and Family | Arizona Department of Economic Security

We are proud of our students for the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that have brought them to their senior year.

The link below provides scholarships and resources specifically for Native American and Alaska Native students who plan on pursuing postsecondary education.

Scholarships & Resources for Native American and Alaskan Native Students | EduMed.org

Arizona Digital Educators Library

Arizona Digital Educators Library (ADEL) is a digital ecosystem designed to provide Arizona educators with curated, standards-aligned resources that support instruction and improve student outcomes.

Resources available through ADEL are guided by carefully established principles that ensure materials are high-quality, relevant, and accessible. These guiding principles reflect the Arizona Department of Education's commitment to supporting educators with meaningful instructional tools and resources that enhance teaching and enrich student learning.

ADEConnect | Department of Education

The Arizona Department of Education provides professional learning opportunities for educators and education professionals across all areas of the school system. These opportunities are designed to support continuous growth and development, regardless of role or experience level.

Educators can explore a variety of training opportunities, workshops, conferences, and other professional learning events that promote effective practices and support student success.

Professional Learning & Development — National Indian Education Association

The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) is pleased to offer virtual and in-person professional learning and development (PD) opportunities that advance comprehensive, culture-based educational opportunities for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

NIEA trainings focus on policy, practices, research, and resources that can be used to support culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and community-based approaches in all learning systems that serve Native students. NIEA is available to provide tailored professional development sessions for your school, district, or educational organization.

The Desert Blossom Award is presented to educators who exceptionally fulfill their duties serving Native American Students across the state.

Beginning with future newsletters, award recipients will be selected through our newly established nomination process, and we will feature two educators in each edition. As this is our first newsletter of the school year and the nomination form was not yet available, the Office of Indian Education selected this edition's three recipients to recognize their outstanding contributions and accomplishments.

We would like to recognize our educators for their exceptional work in supporting Native American students and their unwavering dedication to student success.

Karla Palafox - Basha High School | Native American Club Advisor

Christina Smith - Mojave Middle School | Teacher

Martha Sullivan - Madison Elementary School District | Native American Ed. Program Coordinator

Karla Palafox has been a teacher for the past 30 years and is entering her 3rd year as the Native American Club's Advisor. She has shared that the experience has been enriching not only for the students but for herself as well. The students that started the club are now seniors and have taught Karla the importance of culture and identity. Karla shared that she is grateful to see her students learn, grow, and create space for themselves on campus.

Karla was nominated for the Desert Blossom Award because she goes above and beyond for students by connecting with families, bringing in guest speakers, and advocating for her students that are served by Johnson O'Malley and Title VI funding.

Christina Smith is a teacher at Mojave Middle School and has assisted the efforts of the Native American Program for the past few years. She is enthusiastic about her role and has made excellent connections with her students and their families.

She is a strong advocate for her students and the programs they are supported by. Christina creates a positive and encouraging environment for her students, fostering their success and helping them reach their potential. Christina is a shining example of what it means to serve our students.

Martha Sullivan serves as the coordinator for the Native American Education program at Madison Elementary School District. She has been instrumental in the program's success and day-to-day operation. Martha oversees all eight schools within Madison Elementary School District.

She is passionate about serving the community and has expressed how enriching her role has been. From organizing back-to-school supplies for her Native Students and planning cultural events, Martha demonstrates the qualities of an outstanding educator deserving of the Desert Blossom Award.

Email: indianeducation@azed.gov