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Through a partnership with Anawakalmekak World School, the US Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education, the Claremont Graduate University (CGU), School of Educational Studies, the Tzicatl Community Development Corporation (Tzicatl) will select candidates from federally recognized Indian tribes located in California with a generous support package to help prepare Non-Traditional Educators for Teaching and Certification via the American Indian Language / Culture Credential (AILCC) in as little as 12 months.
The AILCC award provides students full tuition, a $1,800 monthly stipend for living expenses for the first year, and two years of school-based mentoring. Selected candidates who complete the program will emerge as certified American language prepared with the skills needed to promote their language and culture in their home communities and anywhere American Indian students are taught in California public schools.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must be from a federally recognized Indian tribe located in California and be recommended by an individual for the American Indian Languages Credential if the individual has demonstrated fluency in the tribe’s language based on an oral and written assessment developed and administered by the tribal government. Follow the link to the Bureau of Indian Affairs website listing the federally recognized Indian tribes located in California.
In accordance with AB 544, each tribe should consider the following factors in the development of the oral and written assessment:
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The dialects of the tribal language will be included in the evaluation.
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Whether the tribe will standardize its writing system.
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The standard of knowledge and fluency required to qualify for an American Indian Languages Credential.
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Standards for effective teaching methods to be evaluated in the classroom.
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Assessment design and administration decisions are to be made by the tribe and will not be reviewed or approved by the Commission.
Two-Year Preliminary Credential
Issuance of a two-year preliminary American Indian Languages Credential requires passage of the assessment in the language of the recommending tribe, submission of an Application for Credential Authorizing Public School Service form (41-4), the appropriate processing fees, and fingerprint clearance via submission of a Request for Live Scan Service form (41-LS). Completion of the American Indian Languages Credential Recommendation Form (CL-894 link available in the References section) by a tribal official verifies the applicant’s fluency in the American Indian language indicated. Links to the 41-4, 41-LS, and Fee Schedule (CL-659) forms are also available in the References section. Possession of a bachelor’s or higher degree and passage of a basic skills examination are not required for the issuance of an American Indian Languages Credential.
Three-Year Preliminary Credential
A three-year preliminary American Indian Languages Credential may be issued to an individual who previously held the two-year preliminary credential and obtains a recommendation from the tribal government (CL-894 link available in the References section), submission of an application form (41-4 link available in the References section), and the appropriate processing fees.
Five-Year Preliminary Credential
An individual is eligible for a five-year clear American Indian Languages Credential at the end of the three-year preliminary period with the recommendation of the tribal government (in consultation with the applicant’s public school employer), submission of an application form (41-4 link available in the References section), and the appropriate processing fees.
APPLICATION PROCESS
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
Applying to the Anahuacalmecac American Indian Teacher Fellowship (AAITF) involves:
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Completing online application.
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Submitting two letters of recommendation.
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Submitting a short statement of purpose (essay).
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Completing Supplemental Application Form
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Providing documentation that one meets the definition of “Indian” provided by the US Department of Education for this program. (Applicants will be asked to show that they, their parents, or their grandparents are members of a federally or state-recognized tribe.)
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Signing a “service/payback obligation agreement” saying that one understands the terms of the Payback Obligation.
All teacher candidates will also be asked to show that they do not have tuberculosis and have a “clean” DOJ/FBI record. TB and DOJ/FBI clearance need not be provided as part of the admission process.
For more information about applying, contact Marcos Aguilar (sembrador@dignidad.org).
Applications are due by July 1, 2022. The earlier one applies, the better the chance for funding.
References Page
References: American Indian Languages Credential Leaflet: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl893.pdf
American Indian Languages Credential Recommendation form: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl894.pdf
Application for Credential Authorizing Public School Services (414): http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/414.pdf
AAITF FAQ
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Fellows receive a 100% tuition fellowship and a monthly living stipend to complete coursework to support earning an AILCC.
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The program can be completed in as little as 12 months….and online from one’s home community.
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Fellows are also provided funding to come to CGU’s main campus in Southern California for intensive, face-to-face learning seminars that complement online instruction and build community among fellow students and our faculty.
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After completing coursework from CGU, Fellows will receive support to work as a teacher at one of Anahuacalmecac International Preparatory of North America (Anahuacalmecac) three campuses and receive two years of post-graduation job mentorship to ensure their success.
Does the Anahuacalmecac American Indian Teacher Fellowship (AAITF) provide full tuition and a living stipend to selected candidates from federally recognized Indian tribes located in California who want to earn the American Indian Language / Culture Credential (AILCC)?
Yes.
Through a partnership with the US Department of Education’s Office of Indian Education, the Claremont Graduate University (CGU), School of Educational Studies, and Tzicatl Community Development Corporation (Tzicatl ) is able to award selected California enrolled Native Americans with a generous support package to help them earn an AILCC.
Support package includes:
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Tuition (100%)
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A living stipend while taking teacher credential classes ($1,800/month for up to 18 months)
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Student fees (both university and department)
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Support for healthcare coverage (up to $315/month)
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Laptop
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Support (transportation, hotel, and food) to attend CGU and Anahuacalmecac based sessions
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Two years of post-program job mentorship at Anahuacalmecac can be completed in 12 months or 18 months. Regardless of whether one is seeking the 12-month or 18-month path would start in August 2022.
QUESTION #1
Does the Anahuacalmecac American Indian Teacher Fellowship (AAITF) need to do something to exchange for the funding they receive? Is there a service agreement or payback obligation?
Yes. There is a Payback Obligation.
Payback Obligation requirements:
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Teaching must be done at one of Anahuacalmecac three campuses in Los Angeles (90032).
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The in-classroom instruction length must match the support received (i.e., 18 months of the Fellow’s financial support requires 18 months of teaching service).
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One’s Payback Obligation is closely tracked by the U.S. Department of State.
If the Fellow fails to meet the Payback Obligation, the total amount of funds given to support the Fellow while in the program becomes a loan that must be repaid to the Department of Education. Therefore, it is imperative that Fellows are committed to the profession and specifically to working with Native American youth for at least as long as needed to meet the Payback Obligation.
QUESTION #2
What is the American Indian / Cultural Credential?
The American Indian Language / Culture Credential (AILCC) authorizes the holder to teach the specific American Indian language and/or culture listed on the certificate. The American Indian Language / Culture Credential does not authorize instruction in any other subject or setting unless the individual holds an additional, valid teaching credential or permit that authorizes the assignment.
The American Indian Language / Culture Credential is available to an applicant who has met the following requirements:
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For the language authorization: Demonstrated fluency in the tribe’s language based on an oral and written assessment developed and administered by the federally recognized Indian tribe located in California.
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For the Culture authorization: Demonstrated knowledge of the tribe’s culture based on an oral and written assessment developed and administered by the federally recognized Indian tribe located in California.
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Complete a criminal background check conducted under Sections 44339, 44340, and 44341 for credentialing purposes.
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Submitted an application, pay fees, and obtain a recommendation for the credential to the commission through a California federally recognized Indian tribe.
Authorization
The American Indian Language-Culture Credential authorizes the holder to teach the specific American Indian language and/or culture listed on the document in departmentalized classrooms in preschool, grades kindergarten through 12, and in classes organized primarily for adults.
The American Indian Language-Culture Credential does not authorize instruction in any other subject or setting unless the individual holds an additional, valid teaching credential or permit that authorizes the assignment. In addition, the American Indian Language-Culture Credential is not an appropriate prerequisite credential for any other permit, credential, or certificate and may not be used in conjunction with the local teaching assignment options that require possession of a teaching credential.
QUESTION #3
Are there any times during the program when the Anahuacalmecac American Indian Teacher Fellows can meet face to face with each other and faculty?
Yes.
To complement the online instruction, we invite its teacher candidates to campus four times in the Fall and four times in the Spring. These optional weekend events allow teacher education candidates to “rub elbows” with each other and their faculty while engaging in relevant instruction.
Opting to not participate in these optional events will not impact one’s grades or standing in the program.
These are on-campus events. Virtual participation is not supported.
QUESTION #4
Is there time dedicated to Fellows working together, focusing on their Indigeneity, and exploring other issues unique to being a Native American cultural educator?
Yes.
Fellows will engage in seminars specifically and exclusively designed for them.
These seminars will focus on working within Indigenous communities and with Indigenous youth.
These seminars will be held at CGU (Claremont) and involve face-to-face interaction and instruction.
The structure of these seminars is still under development. One model is that the seminars will be week-long seminars – one in Fall 2022 (likely August or September), one in Spring 2023 (likely January), one in Summer 2023, and one in Fall 2023 (likely August or September). Another model is that they will be attached to the optional Saturday events described above. These Fellow seminars are a required part of the program.
Fellows will receive transportation support and room/board to participate in these campus-based seminars.
QUESTION #5
Do you need to have prior college degrees to apply to the Anahuacalmecac American Indian Teacher Fellowship (AAITF)?
To be admitted into the program, you do not need to have a college degree (associate, bachelor’s, etc.).
All candidates will be asked to show that they do not have tuberculosis and have a “clean” DOJ/FBI record.
COVID-19 vaccine requirements vary from state to state. For example, many schools in California require their teachers to be vaccinated. If you don’t have a COVID vaccine and are not planning on getting one, please get in touch with Marcos Aguilar (director@ndgnsla.org) so that she can direct you to the appropriate parties to help you understand options and accommodations.
QUESTION #1
Address
4970 S Huntington Dr.,
Los Angeles, CA 90032