Job Description:

Turtle Mountain Community Elementary School

DEPARTMENT: Elementary Education/Cultural Studies

REPORTS TO: TMES Principal and TMCS District Administration

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT: School Year 2026/2027, 185-day school term, or as determined by the approved employment agreement and district need

LOCATION: Turtle Mountain Elementary School

EVALUATION: As required by NDSCC and Belcourt School District #7 policy

POSITION SENSITIVITY LEVEL: Low Risk

POSITION SUMMARY
The Culture Teacher at Turtle Mountain Community Elementary School provides culturally grounded, standards-aligned instruction to elementary students in grades Pre K-5th. This position is responsible for teaching Ojibwe, Chippewa, and Cree language, history, traditions, arts, and values as an integral part of the elementary curriculum. The Culture Teacher works collaboratively with classroom teachers, administrators, and community members to develop and deliver culturally responsive instruction that honors and preserves the heritage of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians while meeting the academic, social-emotional, and cultural needs of all students.

QUALIFICATIONS
Certification/Licensure Requirements

North Dakota law and the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (NDESPB) govern licensure requirements for teachers of cultural content at the elementary level. Applicants must meet one of the following:

A valid North Dakota Educator's Professional License with an endorsement in Elementary Education (K-6) and demonstrated competency in Native American or Indigenous cultural content; OR
A valid North Dakota Educator's Professional License with a content area endorsement appropriate to cultural studies, social studies, or a related field; OR
Eligibility for a North Dakota Educator's License under the NDESPB Cultural Competency or Tribal Educator Pathway, which allows individuals with demonstrated cultural expertise, tribal community recognition, and relevant experience to obtain licensure to teach Native American language and culture content in North Dakota tribal schools and schools serving tribal communities; OR
Eligibility for a North Dakota Restricted or Emergency License in the assigned content area, combined with a clear plan of progress toward full licensure, as approved by the NDESPB and Belcourt School District #7.
 
Note: Candidates who hold recognized tribal cultural expertise, fluency or proficiency in the Ojibwe, Chippewa, Cree (Michif) language, or significant experience as a cultural practitioner or educator are strongly encouraged to apply. Belcourt School District #7 will work with qualified candidates and the NDESPB to identify the appropriate licensure pathway.

Education
Bachelor's degree in Education, Indigenous Studies, Native American Studies, Cultural Education, Social Studies, or a related field is preferred.
Candidates with an Associate's degree or significant post-secondary coursework combined with substantial cultural expertise, community recognition, or teaching experience may be considered, depending on applicable licensure pathway.
 
Experience and Cultural Knowledge
Knowledge of and deep connection to the history, language, traditions, values, and contemporary life of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the broader Chippewa, Cree, and Ojibwe (Michif) cultural community.
Demonstrated experience in teaching, presenting, or facilitating cultural content for children or youth, in either a formal school setting or a community-based educational setting.
Proficiency or working knowledge of the Ojibwe, Chippewa, Cree (Michif) language is strongly preferred; fluency is a significant asset.
Knowledge of North Dakota Social Studies Standards and how cultural content aligns with and enriches grade-level academic standards.
Familiarity with culturally responsive and trauma-informed teaching practices.
Experience developing or co-developing culturally grounded curriculum, lesson plans, and instructional materials.
Understanding of Indigenous educational frameworks, including place-based learning, oral tradition, and community-connected instruction.
 
Personal Attributes
Punctuality, reliability, and positive human relations skills.
Personal conduct appropriate to a positive role model for students in areas of lawfulness, behavior, and moral character.
Deep respect for the cultural values, traditions, and sovereignty of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.
Commitment to fostering cultural pride, identity, and academic engagement in all students.
 
Communication Skills
Shows courtesy and respect to students, parents, community members, and staff in all interactions.
Ability to communicate clearly in speaking and writing with students, staff, families, and administrators.
Ability to communicate cultural content in age-appropriate and engaging ways for elementary students.
Ability to prepare lesson plans, correspondence, reports, and other written materials in a professional format.
 
Computer Skills
Ability to navigate web browsers, conduct web searches, and communicate via email.
Ability to effectively utilize office-related applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite).
Ability to use instructional technology, interactive whiteboards, projectors, and other classroom technology tools.
Knowledge of or willingness to learn student information systems used by Belcourt School District #7.
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Culturally Grounded Instruction
Plan and deliver engaging, standards-aligned instruction in Ojibwe, Chippewa, and Cree language, history, traditions, values, storytelling, arts, and contemporary Native American life to elementary students in grades PreK-6.
Develop and implement culturally grounded curriculum and lesson plans aligned to North Dakota Social Studies Standards and appropriate grade-level benchmarks.
Integrate Ojibwe, Chippewa, and Cree language instruction, vocabulary, and oral tradition into daily lessons and cultural activities.
Use culturally responsive, place-based, and student-centered instructional strategies that reflect the heritage, strengths, and experiences of Turtle Mountain students and families.
Incorporate traditional arts, crafts, music, dance, and storytelling as instructional tools to deepen cultural understanding and engagement.
Connect cultural instruction to broader academic learning, supporting literacy, social studies, social-emotional development, and student identity.
Adapt instruction to meet the individual needs, interests, and readiness levels of students in a PreK-6 setting.
 
Curriculum Development and Collaboration
Develop, refine, and maintain culturally grounded curriculum materials, instructional resources, and assessment tools in collaboration with administrators and classroom teachers.
Collaborate with classroom teachers to integrate cultural content across subject areas and support a culturally inclusive school environment.
Partner with Turtle Mountain community members, elders, cultural practitioners, and tribal programs to enrich and authenticate cultural instruction.
Align cultural curriculum with North Dakota Social Studies Standards, the district's vision and mission, and school improvement goals.
Participate in curriculum review, development, and school improvement planning as assigned.
 
Classroom Environment and Student Support
Creates a classroom environment that is welcoming, culturally affirming, and conducive to learning for all elementary students.
Develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure; maintains a fair, respectful, and structured learning environment.
Supports students' cultural identity, sense of belonging, and pride in their heritage through daily instruction and classroom culture.
Participates in Individual Educational Plan (IEP)/504 meetings as needed and provides culturally responsive support for students with diverse learning needs.
Monitors student progress and adjusts instruction to ensure all students are engaged, learning, and growing.
Provides appropriate, timely, and culturally sensitive interventions for students who need additional support.
 
Family and Community Engagement
Promotes and maintains open communication with parents and guardians regarding student participation, progress, and cultural learning.
Engages families and community members as partners in cultural education through events, activities, and ongoing communication.
Supports school-wide cultural events, community celebrations, and activities that honor Turtle Mountain heritage.
Serves as a bridge between the school and the Turtle Mountain cultural community, building positive and respectful partnerships.
 
Professional Responsibilities
Maintains accurate and complete student records as required by law, district policy, and administrative procedures.
Prepares and shares lesson plans as required by administration.
Attends and participates in staff meetings, professional development, and school improvement activities.
Is familiar with and abides by applicable confidentiality, privacy, FERPA, FLSA, and HIPAA regulations.
Demonstrates professional conduct, punctuality, and reliability.
Takes necessary and reasonable precautions to provide for student safety and to protect equipment, materials, and facilities.
Performs other duties as assigned by TMES Administration or TMCS District Administration.

RANGE OF SALARY: Based on the current Belcourt School District #7 Teacher's Negotiated Agreement and qualifications