Nakia Academy is an ongoing professional learning community by and for BIPOC educators, offered in partnership with the OSPI Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST), Office of Native Education (ONE), Washington Education Association (WEA), and Washington School Counselor Association (WSCA). Nakia Academy includes five cohorts: three general BIPOC cohorts, one School Counselor cohort, and one Indigenous Educator Cohort.

Nakia Academy provides the equivalent of BEST’s Mentor Academy 101 and Mentor Academy 201, with the learning intentionally facilitated within communities of BIPOC educators. Now entering its second year, the Indigenous Educator Cohort creates dedicated space for Indigenous Educators across Washington to strengthen mentoring and leadership practice, build relationships, and learn in community with one another.

The Indigenous Educator Cohort supports the intent of RCW 28A.300.105 by contributing to the development and retention of educators who serve American Indian and Alaska Native students while advancing culturally responsive mentoring and honoring Tribal sovereignty, language, culture, identity, and community. Over four months, participants engage in the Nakia Academy learning experience, strengthen mentoring skills, build relationships, and develop their capacity to support Indigenous Educators and Native students. Beyond the Academy, participants become part of a growing statewide network of Indigenous Educators committed to supporting one another and the success of Native students and communities.

Cohort E (Indigenous Educators) – Saturdays, 9:00–12:00 PM

Session 1: Kickoff/Community Building, September 26 (In Person, Muckleshoot Tribal College)

Session 2: Attending Fully and Listening with Grace, October 31

Session 3: Turning Inward: Attending to the Mentor, November 14

Session 4: Mentoring in White Spaces, November 21

Session 5: Building the Mentoring Relationship, December 5

Session 6: Conversations Count, January 9

Session 7: Conversations Count (continued), January 16

Session 8: Celebrate! Show Them Who You Are, February 27 (In-person, Washington Education Association)