Article #4 >>>>> >Journal of the K-12 Revolution: Essays and Research from Minneapolis, Minnesota<, Volume XIII, Number 3, September 2026

Department of Indian Education

 

With regard to fundamental skills of students at the Minneapolis Public Schools, note that proficiency rates for American Indian do not top 25% throughout the years 2014-2025 and in 2025 do not exceed 19% in any category  >>>>>

 

American

Indian

 

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2021 2022  2023  2024    2025

 

Math            

 

23%  19%  19%   17%  17%  18%   9%    9%  10%  12%     13%

 

Reading      

 

21%  20%  21%   23%  24%  25% 20%  22%  19% 18%      19%

 

Science        

 

14%  16%  13%  12%  14%  17%     9%   9%    7%  12%        6%

 

 

These staff members of the Department of Indian Education bear specific responsibility for the low academic proficiency levels of Native American students at the Minneapolis Public Schools:

 

Jennifer Simon, Director

(Cheyenne River Dakota)

 

Christine Wilson, Program Coordinator AIPAC & Family Engagement

(White Earth)

 

Aquila Tapio, District Program Facilitator (DFF), Staff Training * Special Education Lead

(Oglala Lakota)

 

Patrick Engrav, Program Coordinator PreK Middle Schools

(Bois Forte)

 

Alex Dauenhauer, Social Worker on Special Assignment (SWOSA(

(Standing Rock)

 

TBD, CEIS Coordinator, Positive Behavior Support in Special Education

 

Kayelynn Younkin, SSPA Elementary Schools, Ashinabe Academy

(White Earth)

 

Gary Smith, SSPA PreK-8 Schools, Seward, Dowling, Folwell, and Andersen

(Mille Lacs & Red Lake)

 

Alyssa Parkhurst, SSPA PreK-8 Schools, Hiawatha/Howe, Northrop, Keewaydin, Wenonah, and Sanford

(Red Lake Nation)

 

TBD, SSPA PreK-8 Schools:  Marcy, Pillsbury, Pratt, and Waite Park

 

Amanda Turbett, SSPA PreK-8 Schools:  Mona Moede, Bethune, emerson, Kenwood, Bryn Mawr, Nellie Stone Johnson, and Anwatin

(Red Lake)

 

Alejandra (Ally) Moreno, SSPA PreK-8 Schools:  Bancroft, Whittier, MPS Online, K8:  Ella Baker, Sullivan

(White Earth & Red Lake)

 

Simone Rask, SSPA Prek-8 Schools:  Hall, Cityview, Hmong IA, Jenny Lind, Loring, Lucy Laney, Olson

 

Ambersky Stevens, SSPA PreK-8 Schools:  Green Central, Burroughs, Hale, Lyndale, Barton, Field, Jutice Page, and Franklin

(Oneida, Oglala & Turtle Mountain)

 

Hopa Stevens, SSPA Prek-8 Schools:  Las Estrellas, Armatage, Kenny, Windom, LH Lower, LH Upper, Anthony, Franklin

(Oneida, Oglala & Turtle Mountain)

 

Madison Smith, SSPA High Schools:  Longfellow, Roosevelt, Southwest, Washburn

(Oneida Nation) 

 

Justis Brokenrope, SSPA High Schools:  Stadium View, Edison, Camden, North, FAIR 

(Sicangu Lakota)

 

TBD, SSPA High Schools:  South, MPS Online 9-12, Transition Plus & CAP Schools

 

Ojibwe Language Teacher:  Northeast, Edison, MPS Online, & language table

(Fond Du Lac) 

 

Dennis Gilbert, Jr., Ojibwe Language Teacher:  Anishinabe Academy, Roosevelt, Takoda Prep, & language table

(BridgePort Paiute, Lac Du Flambeau, Leech Lake)

 

TBD, Ojibwe Language Teacher

 

Carmen Gavin-Venegas, .4/Parttime Ojibwe Language Teacher:  Anishinabe Academy

 

Aaron Vizenor-Hammerly, .4/Parttime Ojibwe Language Teacher:  MPS Online 6-12th grade

(White Earth)

 

Shiela Zephier,  Dakota Language Teacher:  Andersen, South, MPS Online, & language table

(Oglala Sioux, Turtle Mountain) 

 

Justin Kurta, Dakota Language Teacher:  Anishinabe Academy, Sanford, Edison, Takoda Prep, & language table

 

TBD. Language Teacher