Last week I had the privilege of visiting the Menominee Indian Nation with Dr. Ruby Payne. Many of you know that aha! Process has been working with educators in the Menominee Indian School District, a Wisconsin public school district, and community agencies in the past several years. In fact, they are leaders in implementing our school and community-based models simultaneously!
What a wonderful experience Dr. Payne and I had as we had dinner with school board members and Superintendent Wendell Waukau, had breakfast with district principals, visited the schools, toured the College of the Menominee Nation, and ended our day with a community forum that included a time for Q & A with Dr. Payne.
Everyone throughout the nation was gracious and hospitable, but the highlight for me was listening to the principals and community representatives talk about how they have adapted and implemented aha! Process concepts and strategies and the benefits they have seen as a result. Truly the people of the Menominee Nation are to be commended for all of their hard work and efforts on behalf of their children and community!
As we move forward and they continue to build capacity to sustain the model, we recognize them as champions of the work! We also extend congratulations to each of their schools for meeting AYP (adequate yearly progress) and additional congratulations to the middle school for being recognized as a Wisconsin School of Excellence!
