To the Central Consolidated School District Board of Education,

We, the undersigned members of the Shiprock and Northern Agency communities families, alumni, educators, and supporters express our deep concern regarding the reduction of the gifted program at Tsé Bit’Aí Middle School (TBA).

For over 15 years, the TBA gifted program has provided culturally relevant, student-centered learning that empowers students through hands-on, community and career driven education. This program has provided the following educational opportunities, but is not limited to:

• The Breast Cancer Awareness Run, promoting wellness and service by TBA XC.

• A practice-interview where students prepare for real-world careers.

• TBA Silhouette Play, celebrating Diné heritage and student creativity;

• A Dinner for the elderly, supporting intergenerational connection.

These activities are more than school events, they bring back alumni to assist, they are community traditions that enrich learning and strengthen cultural identity. The loss of this program impacts student opportunities to thrive academically, socially, and culturally. We are also concerned that the TBA gifted program has been receiving an unusual level of scrutiny for the past year disrupting the established student programming. Strong programs should be evaluated based on their impact and student benefit, not sidelined without transparency. 

We respectfully call on the Board to: 

• Return the gifted program at TBA to its original teacher who will continue to be student-centered and culturally responsive;

• Remain transparent in decisions impacting our students and programming;

• Support educators in the classroom who are committed to our students’ success, without fear of retaliation.

Apart of this matter, which goes hand in hand, a former female TBA gifted teacher, has been targeted since February of 2024 by Tsé’bit’aí Middle School administrators. TBA administrators’ actions resulted in the filing of a grievance, which then led to retaliation against former female gifted teacher. Said teacher was forcefully transferred to three elementary schools, fired from being TBA cross country coach with 15 years of experience and no reason for termination. Not only is this about defending equitable, meaningful learning opportunities for our students but also about defending pillar matriarchs who have paved a way for underprivileged students, such as myself and others, in this community. We ask you to stand with our community in protecting programs AND people that build pride, leadership, and academic success.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 



Respectfully,
Concerned Students, Friends, and Community Members of Shiprock, Northern Agency and Navajo Nation.