Indigenous Knowledge for Effective Education Program
Indigenous Knowledge for Effective Education Program (IKEEP) at the University of Idaho prepares and certifies culturally responsive Indigenous teachers to meet the unique needs of Native American students in K-12 schools. IKEEP scholars are part of a teaching cohort committed to innovation in indigenous education.
Native American/Alaskan Native youths experience greater academic success when their cultures, languages and community values are included in classroom pedagogy.
With the support of the University of Idaho’s MOU Tribes (Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Kootenai Tribe, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes and Spokane Tribe of Indians), the purpose of IKEEP is to recruit, prepare, certify and place culturally responsive American Indian educators into teaching positions in schools with high populations of Native American students. IKEEP supports scholars from additional Tribal communities as well.
“Indigenous students need to see themselves [...] in front of the classroom, in the hallways, in community, but also see how they can balance the classroom, the community, the culture.” IKEEP Alumna