For the second time in three years, the Northland College Educator Preparation Program has been recognized by the Association of Independent Liberal Arts College for Teacher Education as a Model of Excellence in Partnerships.

Annette Nelson, associate professor and education department chair, accepted the award in March at the AILACTE national conference in Tampa, Florida.

This national award recognizes the community collaboration between Northland College and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College in Hayward, Wisconsin, and their work to advance the Future Indian Teachers Program through advancement and extension of the Training Exceptional Educators Clinical Residency Program.

This partnership directly supports and impacts regional, state, and national efforts to increase diversity in the K-12 teaching profession as well as efforts in Ojibwe language revitalization by increasing the number of certified and licensed Native American teachers.

Under the direction of Les Alldritt, vice president of Academic Affairs at Northland College, and Diane Vertin, president of LCOOCC, together with the sponsorship of Ashland Ford Chrysler and owner Mike Mikula, the program was delivered on the LCOOCC campus during evenings and weekends in 2016.

All eight graduates of the program will participate in the May 27 commencement at Northland College.

Pictured above from left to right Professor Annette Nelson with students Dana Gordon, Mary Lou Taylor, and Brianna Cody.