We’re working harder in Oregon schools to broaden the perspectives of staff and students and explore history and culture from underrepresented points of view. With that goal in mind, Clackamas ESD is offering a new workshop series to help elementary school educators better incorporate indigenous perspectives into their lessons.
Five years ago, a new state law – Senate Bill 13 – directed the Oregon Department of Education to develop a comprehensive K-12 curriculum related to the Native American experience in Oregon, and make it available to school districts. This year, Clackamas ESD launched a four-session pilot project to help a cohort of 23 K-5 teachers from the Estacada, Colton, Gladstone and West Linn-Wilsonville school districts become familiar with new lessons crafted in cooperation with Oregon tribes in multiple subjects, from social studies to math, and to begin integrating them into their day-to-day teaching.
The workshops also help teachers improve their understanding of Tribal history, current events and culture. That task involves integrating Oregon’s Indigenous Essential Understandings, which cover nine categories: since time immemorial; sovereignty; history, Tribal government, identity, lifeways, language, treaties with the U.S.; and genocide, federal policy and laws. The cohort’s work strives to maintain a framework of the “Six P’s” designed by Indigenous educator Leilani Sabzalian: place, presence, perspectives, political nationhood, power and partnerships.
“Every citizen needs to deepen their knowledge about Tribal history and culture, and to understand Tribes are sovereign nations we engage with,” Robi Osborn, Clackamas ESD assistant director of teaching and learning, commented.
The workshops are being facilitated by Cari Zall, an assistant professor and the social studies content coordinator in the teacher education program at Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education & Counseling.
“Elementary educators have unique opportunities to teach young students about the rich Indigenous heritage of Oregon in a way that will resonate throughout their years in Oregon schools,” Zall said.
By the end of the workshop series, teachers will have collaborated together to create and present a lesson or activity that they will use in their classrooms.
Osborn says Clackamas ESD will use learning from the pilot workshops to refine the sessions and offer another K-5 educator cohort next school year.
“We’re excited to support Clackamas County teachers in doing this important work,” Osborn said. “This is a long-term commitment, and we’re just getting started.”
