Jerad Koepp, MiT jkoepp@nthurston.k12.wa.us
2022 Washington State Teacher of the Year

Hoyowish nim Jerad Koepp and I'm Wukchumni and proud to be the NTPS Native Student Program Specialist. I'm a certificated History and Social Studies teacher who specialized in Indian Education while earning my Master in Teaching degree at the Evergreen State College. I'm the third generation of Indian Educators in my family and, after graduation, taught in tribal schools and high Native population public schools.

I've long been an advocate for Native education and Native students in and out of the classroom, and it is a pleasure to work for a district that is incredibly supportive, culturally forward, and academically engaging. When it comes to supporting Native students, their families, and our staff, the doors are always open. I have the joy of wearing many hats and meeting many students throughout the district in my job. Please call or email whether you're a teacher looking for cultural support or teaching materials/support, a Native student who needs help passing English, a Kindergartner who needs a box of crayons, or a senior looking for Native scholarships. I'm here for you.

Laura Bowman, BA lbowman@nthurston.k12.wa.us

Klahowya,

Sun-sai-ish unsqatch (my name is) Laura Bowman. I am the Title III Native American Paraeducator for the district. I am an enrolled Cowlitz tribal member and a descendant of Cree and Ojibwe tribes.

I hold a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington Tacoma in global studies and am currently working on my master’s in teaching at Western Governors University. I have lived in Thailand, where I taught English to 1st and 2nd grade students. I have also taught English online to children in China. In addition, I have taught English to exchange students here in the United States.

This is my 4th year (2021-22 school year) working in Native Education and my fifth year working in public education. I found my passion working with my own people and plan to retire in this position.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my children. We like to get outdoors no matter what the weather is like. My son is a passionate soccer player, and my daughter has found a new love for volleyball. We enjoy going to our tribe’s cultural and holiday celebrations. Digging camas and harvesting cedar are hobbies I have recently acquired. I also enjoy cooking and try to incorporate traditional foods when possible. Learning what is left of my language is a priority of mine. Náxʷɬqʷul'as (thank you)!

The Native Student Program is a supplemental program designed to assist American Indian and Alaska Native students with culturally unique academic needs to meet Washington State academic standards.

The Native Student Program is funded through a federal grant under Title VI of the  elementary and Secondary Act. The amount of funds is determined by the number of students officially registered in our program.

The NTPS Native Student Title VI Program is grant-funded through the Department of Education, Office of Indian Education.

"Indian Education" under the Title VI, Part A, Sec. 7402. PURPOSE

It is the purpose of this part to support the efforts of local education agencies, Indian tribes and organizations, postsecondary institutions, and other entities-

1. to meet the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of Indian students, so that such students can meet the challenging State academic standards;
2. to ensure that Indian students gain knowledge and understand of Native communities, languages, tribal histories, traditions, and cultures; and
3. to ensure that teachers, principals, other school leaders, and other staff who serve Indian students have the ability to provide culturally appropriate and effective instruction and supports to such students.

A 506 form is a federal "sign up sheet". The one-page document allows us to use federal funds to support your student's educational needs. Even if you don't think you'll ever use our services, by signing up your student, it increases the amount of federal funds available for district Native American students. You only need to fill it out once as long as your child is in North Thurston Schools.

We welcome all Native students and families. To be signed up with our Title VI program and to complete a 506 Form, the child, parent, or grandparent needs to be enrolled in a federally recognized tribe.

Your student is still eligible for many things! Your student can still attend all of our events, field trips, family nights, and still receive tutoring and support.  

North Thurston is a culturally diverse and inclusive district with many opportunities for family involvement. If you want to volunteer in school you'll need to take a few moments to fill out the volunteer application and pass a free background check. We can always use a family to would like to share or teach their Native cultures or volunteer on projects. We have nearly 50 different tribes represented in our program, and we try to honor the great diversity among Native Americans.

• Graduation regalia policy: See page 8 of Policy 2401 >>
• Land Acknowledgement Policy >>
• Tribal Flag Policy >>

Visit our 506 Form page to download a copy and get started!

The Native Student Program has an office in Portable 2 at Evergreen Forest Elementary and Portable 1 at River Ridge High School.

You can return it to the front office in any of our schools. You can also return it to the district office or even send a scanned copy to the Native Student Program specialist.

Most students are identified based on our district records. When new students register for enrollment in the district, they complete the NTPS Ethnicity and Race Data Collection Form. Students who are not listed as either by tribe or as Native American may not be readily identified.

Yes! NTPS is proud to have clear policy stating, “Traditional regalia and items of cultural significance are allowed.” See page 8 of Policy 2401 >>

• American Indian and Alaska Native Culture Card

• WashingtonTribes.org
• National Museum of the American Indian K-12 Online Learning
• Since Time Immemorial Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum
• Illuminative Native Education for All
• Illuminative's Do's & Don'ts of talking respectfully about and with Native people (PDF)
• Salmon Defense
• Washington State Treaties
• Essential Understandings from Montana Indian Education (PDF)
• Salmon Homecoming Alliance
• Salmon Activity Book (PDF)
• Traditional Games Unit (PDF)

• Tulalip Lushootseed
• Puyallup Tribal Language
• Muckleshoot Language Videos
• Chickasaw

• Indian Country Today
• PowWows.com

• NIEA K-12 Reading List
• American Indian Children's Literature
• Evaluating American Indian Materials and Resources in the Classroom

• OSPI Office of Native Education
• Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
• Bureau of Indian Affairs
• National Indian Education Association

• We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
• Frybread by Kevin Noble Maillard
• We Are Grateful by Traci Sorrel   Click HERE for an Interview with the author.
• Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Letitch Smith
• The Lover Star NMAI (CC)  Chippewa
• Quillwork Girl and Her Seven Brothers NMAI (CC) Cheyenne
• The Girl and Her Seven Brothers NMAI (CC) Arikara
• Tasunka: A Lakota Horse Legend (Dual Language)
• Turtle Goes To War (Dual Language)
• When We Were Alone (Auto generated captions)

Traditional Stories

• Hopi Origin Story (PBS). captioned.
• Crossing of Bok Chitto. (ASL)
• The Beginning They Told (subtitles) Cherokee
• The Visitor (subtitled) (dual language)

Coloring and Activities

• Native Northwest coloring pages
• Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Coloring and Activities Seminole
• Museum of Indian Arts & Culture coloring book

Laura's Reading Corner

• Canoe, Canoe, What Can You Do? (YouTube)
• In Our Canoe (YouTube)
• If My Drum Could Talk (YouTube)

• https://digitreaties.org/treaties/
• Centennial Accord

• Chinook Nation
• Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
• Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation
• Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
• Cowlitz Indian Tribe
• Duwamish Tribe
• Hoh Indian Tribe
• Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe
• Kalispel Tribe of Indians
• Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe
• Lummi Nation
• Makah Tribe
• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
• Nisqually Indian Tribe
• Nooksack Indian Tribe
• Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe
• Puyallup Tribe of Indians
• Quielute Tribe
• Quinault Indian Nation
• Samish Indian Nation
• Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe
• Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe
• Skokomish Indian Tribe  
• Snoqualmie Indian Tribe
• Spokane Tribe of Indians
• Squaxin Island Tribe
• Steilacoom Tribe
• Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians
• Suquamish Tribe
• Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
• Tulalip Tribes
• Upper Skagit Indian Tribe