2016 Special Recognition award: Katie Hurin
The Montana Indian Education Association’s Special Recognition Award is an honor that recognizes individuals who work tirelessly in the advancement of Indian Education and is open to all persons; regardless of profession, culture, or ethnicity. This award is presented to someone who has encouraged and promoted Indian education in the state of Montana and whose example inspires others.
Katie’s dedication to advocating for Indian Education is unceasing. She has led professional development meetings within the 21 schools throughout the Great Falls district, at both the Elementary and Secondary levels, as well as across the state of Montana. With Katie’s guidance, teachers are beginning to realize the importance of Indian Education in the classroom and are given creative opportunities to infuse lessons with Native American culture throughout all aspects of their teaching.
Not only has Katie immersed herself in educating others about the value of Indian Education, but she also continues to challenge herself by gaining knowledge within the Native American community. While doing so, she has become a welcome member of the Native community, which speaks to how highly respected she has become among Native American people.
Katie Hurin is an extraordinary and enthusiastic educator and one of the most prominent promoters of Indian Education for All in Great Falls and Montana. Katie has served the last four years as a co-instructor for a unique graduate studies program with Salish Kootenai College and the Great Falls Public Schools. This seven-course (14 graduate semester hours) American Indian studies program is offered to a cohort of 20 Great Falls Public School (GFPS) teachers to more deeply inform educators about American Indian history, culture, heritage, literature, and Native science. This provides a deeper understanding and base of knowledge to teachers for IEFA inclusion in their classrooms and schools. Katie has proved to be a wise, encouraging, and thought-provoking professor in her leadership in this program.
Mrs. Hurin has also been the coordinator and co-leader of a Teachers Summer Camp program with GFPS. This three-year cycled program takes GFPS educators on the road to the seven tribal Nations reservations in Montana to meet with tribal leaders and members. Teachers learn directly from tribal leaders and members about the unique and distinct character of each tribal nation’s cultural heritage, language, culture, history, educational institutions and governments. Katie’s hard work and dedication in this program has inspired many of her colleagues to become fellow promoters of IEFA within their schools and the district.
Katie’s dedication to advocating for Indian Education is unceasing. She has led professional development meetings within the 21 schools throughout the Great Falls district, at both the Elementary and Secondary levels, as well as across the state of Montana. With Katie’s guidance, teachers are beginning to realize the importance of Indian Education in the classroom and are given creative opportunities to infuse lessons with Native American culture throughout all aspects of their teaching.
Not only has Katie immersed herself in educating others about the value of Indian Education, but she also continues to challenge herself by gaining knowledge within the Native American community. While doing so, she has become a welcome member of the Native community, which speaks to how highly respected she has become among Native American people.
Katie Hurin is an extraordinary and enthusiastic educator and one of the most prominent promoters of Indian Education for All in Great Falls and Montana. Katie has served the last four years as a co-instructor for a unique graduate studies program with Salish Kootenai College and the Great Falls Public Schools. This seven-course (14 graduate semester hours) American Indian studies program is offered to a cohort of 20 Great Falls Public School (GFPS) teachers to more deeply inform educators about American Indian history, culture, heritage, literature, and Native science. This provides a deeper understanding and base of knowledge to teachers for IEFA inclusion in their classrooms and schools. Katie has proved to be a wise, encouraging, and thought-provoking professor in her leadership in this program.
Mrs. Hurin has also been the coordinator and co-leader of a Teachers Summer Camp program with GFPS. This three-year cycled program takes GFPS educators on the road to the seven tribal Nations reservations in Montana to meet with tribal leaders and members. Teachers learn directly from tribal leaders and members about the unique and distinct character of each tribal nation’s cultural heritage, language, culture, history, educational institutions and governments. Katie’s hard work and dedication in this program has inspired many of her colleagues to become fellow promoters of IEFA within their schools and the district.