Mentoring Native American Adolescents for School Success: A Teacher Inquiry

• In Event: Transformative Teacher Research: Teacher and Student Empowerment

Abstract

This study shares understandings from the first year of a mentoring group for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian (EBCI) youth at a middle school. The group, created by the first author, an enrolled member of the EBCI, and a local university faculty was motivated by the persistent achievement gap demonstrated by the EBCI youth in local schools. While too early to note any improvement in test scores qualitative results indicate that these students often feel misunderstood by peers and teachers. Data also suggest that a personal relationship with teachers is highly valued and the group offered a sense of belonging. We feel this teacher research project could be instrumental in the education of future Native American students in our schools.

Authors

• Ashley McLendon, Swain County Schools

• Carrie Ann Barnes Rogers, Western Carolina University