Lupita Litson McClanahan August 4 , 2010 Ya`aahateeh (hello), I`m

Lupita Litson McClanahan
August 4th, 2010
Ya’aahateeh (hello), I’m Lupita Litson McClanahan, I’m from Canyon de’Chelly,
Arizona. My 1st clan is Kiyaa’aanii, 2nd clan is Totsohni, 3rd clan is
Maiideeshgishni’ and 4th clan is Ta’neczani. My husband, Jon McClanahan, is a
Marine Veteran, and our daughter is married to a Marine Corporal. We have the
privilege of raising two grandsons from our extended families. They both attend a
performing plus school in Chinle Unified School District #24.
My educational experiences give me the knowledge to speak on behalf of the
people that have limited educational resources. I work with students and parents to
achieve their educational goals. Our children today need a quality education in
every aspect of learning: academics, traditional heritage, life skills and
environmental awareness.
I earned an AA Degree in Elementary Education, and have worked in many
educational fields - Language Arts Instructor for English as Second Learners, Diné
Culture teacher, Interpretive Park Ranger at the Canyon de’Chelly National
Monument, Substitute Teacher, Recreational Specialist, Agricultural Assistant and
volunteer for parent involvement. I completed a term as the Parent Advisory
Committee and Indian Education Committee Representative. My educational
experiences give me new insight into what I like to see for our student’s education.
Currently I am operating a tour business - “Footpath Journeys/Eco-Trips” at
Canyon de’Chelly. This involves meeting and interacting with people from
different areas of the world; it gives me opportunities to work with other schools
from across the USA in “work exchange projects”. I feel we have lots to learn and
share with one-another; my prime years in the education fields are just beginning.
I encourage everyone to reconnect with their valuable educational background and
share this with our youth; everyone has knowledge about their rich culture and
language through storytelling and books. I feel that every child has the right to
know who they are and where they come from. I will show our children the
essence of self pride and dignity, to become proud of their heritage so we all
become better listeners and learners. Our culture introduces us to important
valuable resources and the belief of Accomplishment against all odds; now we
need to learn and teach about living in a healthy and economical way.
As a board member I will endorse the Arizona standards (Arizona LEARNS) as a
basic guide within the district; familiarization with changing educational law that
could affect our students; promote teaching nature in the classroom; and explore
technology updates – because our students have many learning styles, visual,
auditory, and kinesthetic – that may not be currently addressed in the best way
possible.
I see in my Grandsons’ eyes excitement when they get back from school and say “I
had a good time at school, my teacher is really great!”. This excitement of learning
should be felt by all children. It will make our children strong in their journey of
education. I want this to continue throughout my grandsons’ lives and in all our
youths’ fragile years of learning.