Osage employees complete year-long Youth Educator Certification

Training focus prepares staff to engage youth in learning opportunities

Left to right, Tara Gotwalt. Director of Business Development, Tri County Tech, Katura Weeden Sheppard, Cody Hammer, Ross Shimonek, Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, Herman Sleeper, Shaina Perrier, Mary WildCat, Mandy McKinley, Coley Streater, Avis Ballard, and Jennifer Holding.

PAWHUSKA, Okla. (May 26, 2016)— Osage Nation Education staff received Youth Educator Certification on May 26 at the Pawhuska Business Center. The employees have been working on the certification for a year as part of a push by the Nation to improve education opportunities and services for area youth enrolled in educational programs provided by the Osage Nation.

“The customized training was a hands-on learning experience focused on youth education, communication, and early learning policy. It was a very enjoyable experience, we all looked forward to attending each week,” said Mary WildCat, Osage Nation Education Director.

Ten Osage Nation employees were presented with their certificate and congratulated by Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear who attended the celebration and presentation.

The certification program consists of one year of customized training.The curriculum focuses on preparing participants to provide optimal learning experiences for Osage children enrolled in Osage early education and tutoring programs.Participants also learned appropriate techniques for high quality internal and external customer service such as written communication, verbal communication and teamwork.

Chief Standing Bear congratulated each of the participants and expressed the importance of their contributions to the future of the Osage Nation.

Receiving certificates at the celebration were Coley Streater, Shaina Perrier, Ross Shimonek, Amanda McKinley, Herman Sleeper, Katura Weeden Sheppard, Avis Ballard, Jennifer Holding, Cody Hammer and Mary Wildcat, Osage Nation Education Director.

Tara Gotwalt, Director of Business Development, from Tri-County Technology Center in Bartlesville, Okla., taught the course. She is a National Board Certified teacher, has a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and holds state certifications for teacher, principal and superintendent.

For more information about Osage Nation Education, call 918-287-5555 or visit them online at www.osagenation-nsn.gov.

For Media Inquiries:Osage Nation Communications | 918-287-9746communications@osagenation-nsn.gov