Fort Belknap College announces new teacher education program

FORT BELKNAP — Fort Belknap College announced the creation of its new Nee-tha-hatsa-nak/Wa'Uspe-Wicakiya teacher education program. Classes will be offered via Vision Net videoconferencing in collaboration with Fort Peck Community College in Poplar and Montana State University-Northern in Havre.

The college has successfully collaborated with FPCC on teacher education in the past. In fact, this is the third teacher education program the federal Department of Education has approved and funded through FBC. The new program builds on the success of past programs with the added convenience of the videoconferencing option for elementary education students. Students in the secondary education program will attend classes at the MSU-Northern campus.

"We're very pleased to offer this new program and encourage students to take advantage of this great opportunity to continue their education," said the project's director, FBC Dean of Students Clarena Brockie.

The program will offer bachelor's degrees in elementary and secondary education to a total of 30 students - 15 attending FBC and 15 attending FPCC.

To qualify for the program a student must be tribally enrolled, maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or better, and complete his or her associate's degree by the fall semester of 2010.

Preference will be given to students from tribal colleges and those in the elementary education program. All students must complete their bachelor's degrees in elementary education or secondary education by the spring semester of 2012.

Program director Annette Young and proctor Jessica Stiffarm will staff the project at FBC with Brockie. Young is a doctoral candidate in teacher leadership and holds a master's degree in English and bachelor's degrees in elementary education and English. Stiffarm has a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Brockie recently completed the coursework for a master's degree in American Indian studies through the University of Arizona. The FBC team will collaborate with Vicki Hayes at MSU-Northern and former FBC president Dr. Margaret Campbell at Fort Peck Community College.

FBC is accepting applications for the new program. Interested students are encouraged to call (406) 353-2607, ext. 260.

Fort Belknap College is a fully accredited tribal community college providing higher education to tribal and non-tribal members.

For more information or interview arrangements, please contact Wendy Warburton at (406) 262-3185 or e-mail triciastrader.central@yahoo.com.