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Seeds of Native Knowledge: Culturally Sustaining Teaching Institute
Dates: November 12-13, 2026         Location: Santa Clara County Office of Ed in San Jose, CA

The San Diego County Office of Education, Santa Clara County Office of Education, and California Indian Museum and Cultural Center will be co-hosting a free two-day Seeds of Native Knowledge: Culturally Sustaining Teaching Institute. This in-person Teaching Institute bring together teachers, school leaders, Tribal education staff, and Tribal community partners to strengthen culturally responsive teaching and honor the sovereignty of California Native Peoples. 

Participants will gain knowledge on topics that include, but are not limited to:

  • Essential Understandings of California Indian History and Culture
  • New California Native American Studies Model Curriculum (NASMC)
  • Native California Blanket Exercise and Tribal Resiliency Talking Circle
  • NASMC Units such as Acorns to Oak Trees, CA Missions Through Native Perspectives, and Tribal Government and Civics
  • Interwoven Mathematics Curriculum
  • Native Ways of Knowing activities, place-based learning, and mock trials
  • Literacy resources like We Are the Land (Akins & Bauer)
  • Honoring Tribal Education Sovereignty Toolkit
  • Strategies for Successful Tribal Consultation and Title VI Programming
  • Voices of Our Ancestors: Revitalizing Tribal Languages in Schools

This training is developed for K–12 teachers, administrators, and Tribal education staff who will serve as leaders within their regions, sharing knowledge, resources, and curriculum with colleagues. Rooted in the theme of “Seeds of Native Knowledge,” the Institute plants ideas and practices that will take root, spread, and grow while nurturing curriculum that supports both Native and non-Native students across California. Through this work, educators strengthen pathways for truth-telling, cultural understanding, and educational equity.

The Teaching Institute supports a call for courageous teaching, collaboration, and commitment. For California schools, this is a chance to lead the nation in truth-telling and in repairing relationships with Tribal Nations through authentic educational reform. For educators and school leaders, it is an invitation to practice humility, engage in sustained reflection, and embrace necessary work of decolonizing teaching practices. For students, it is a promise that their classrooms can be places where the voices of California’s First Peoples are heard, honored, and celebrated.

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Learn more about the new CA Native American Studies Model Curriculum
Training Schedule
Thursday, November 12, 2026  
Day 1 Institute
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Optional Invitational Evening Event for Participants
An Evening of Tribal Knowledge, Place-Based Learning, and Celebration of the CA Native American Studies Model Curriculum
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Friday, November 13, 2026  
Day 2 Institute
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m


 
Important Information

Seeds of Native Knowledge: Culturally Sustaining Teaching Institute
Dates:  November 12-13, 2026         Location: Santa Clara County Office of Ed in San Jose, CA

The exact location will be shared with participants accepted into this professional learning.

This Teaching Institute will bring together K–12 teachers, school leaders, Tribal education staff, and Tribal community partners to strengthen culturally responsive teaching and honor the sovereignty of California Native Peoples.

Training Purpose

The Institute is designed to:

- Expand cultural competency and confidence for K–12 teachers.

- Support teaching of the California Native American Studies Model Curriculum (NASMC).

- Guide participants in designing local, Tribal, and tribally-authored curriculum resources.

- Encourage collaboration across schools and Tribal communities to support culturally sustaining education.

Call to Action

The Institute supports a call for courageous teaching, collaboration, and commitment.

For California schools: an opportunity to lead the nation in truth-telling and repairing relationships with Tribal Nations through authentic educational reform.

For educators and school leaders: an invitation to practice humility, engage in sustained reflection, and embrace the necessary work of decolonizing teaching practices.

For students: a promise that classrooms can be spaces where the voices of California’s First Peoples are heard, honored, and celebrated.

Participation Details

Application Process: Participants will be selected on a rolling basis.

Capacity: Each Institute is capped at 90 participants.

Cost: Free of charge.


Next Steps: Please complete this form to express your interest in attending the March 11-12, 2026 Seeds of Native Knowledge: Culturally Sustaining Teaching Institute. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis with the training hosts. Please expect to receive an update on the status of your application within a week.

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Seeds of Native Knowledge: Culturally Sustaining Teaching Institutes 
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