Two amazing educators from Farmington Municipal Schools (FMS) have been honored by the National Johnson-O’Malley Association (NJOMA) for their outstanding dedication to education. Ms. Grace Blackwater has been named NJOMA Teacher of the Year, and Ms. Carmelita Lee has received the NJOMA Honorary Teacher of the Year award during the national conference held from September 11-13, 2023, in Chicago, IL.
“You have to ask the students what their thoughts are. When I see a student struggling with an assignment, I sit down with them and we start nitsáhakees. We start thinking. They are always able to give me more after we do that,” said Ms. Blackwater regarding her philosophy for teaching.
Ms. Blackwater is known for her interactive and collaborative classroom, where students are encouraged to express their creativity and stay connected to their cultural roots. She has been teaching Navajo Language and Culture courses at Farmington Municipal Schools since 2006. Currently, she teaches at Farmington High School and has recently introduced Navajo Government and History classes.
“Our Diné language is a part of us, and it’s our responsibility to keep it alive. It hasn’t disappeared; it’s still here, and so are we. We should always be motivated to teach our young Navajo students about their culture,” emphasized Ms. Carmelita Lee, highlighting the importance of preserving the Navajo Language and Culture.
Ms. Lee, with more than 27 years of experience at Farmington Municipal Schools, plays a significant role as an educator for fellow teachers. She actively contributes to the development of Navajo Language Resources to make learning the language more accessible. Ms. Lee began her journey with FMS in 1998 as a teacher at Mesa View Middle School and in 2016 took on the role of Bilingual Facilitator at the FMS Multicultural Department.
"Ms. Blackwater and Ms. Lee consistently go the extra mile to create exciting and inspiring learning experiences for our children. This recognition truly reflects their exceptional skills as educators and their unwavering commitment to our students. Their dedication to nurturing our kids' potential is truly commendable, and we're fortunate to have such outstanding teachers guiding our children's educational journey," praised Dr. Geraldine Garrity, FMS Assistant Director of Native American Programs.
The Johnson O'Malley Program is authorized by the Johnson O'Malley Act of 1934. As amended, the Act authorizes contracts for the education of eligible Indian students enrolled in public schools and previously private schools. Johnson O’Malley programs offered to American Indian and Alaska Native students vary and may include such programs as culture, language, academics, and dropout prevention. For more information, please visit our website.