My name is Jennifer Murray (Johnson.) I am a Fond du Lac Band Member, and I have worked for our reservation in an educational capacity for the past 17 years. I have held the following positions: lead teacher for an adolescent treatment facility, student mentor, 7-12 social studies teacher, vice principal, principal, and currently serve as superintendent.

As a teacher, I have always tried to utilize multiple teaching styles necessary to motive my students to learn and always encouraged them to do their best. As a school leader, my focus is how to best serve our students, staff, and community. I research and use multiple strategies to accomplish goals and objectives our stakeholders identify in order for our students to be successful. I have strong communication skills with adults as well as students. My passion is working with culturally and economically diverse student populations.

One area I specialize in is building relationships with at risk students. Every student needs someone to believe in them and support them. I have created culturally based curriculum at all the places I have taught. I developed cultural appropriate and relevant curriculum for the educational program at Mash-Ka-Wisen treatment center on the Fond du Lac Reservation that serviced 7-12 grade students. I continue to work at developing curriculum for the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School that aims to meet the needs of our American Indian student population.

I believe education should happen every day and all around us. We need to find our gifts and pursue purposeful careers that help and support our community. In 2000, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Johnson State in Vermont. In 2006, I earned a Master’s Degree in Education and in 2012 an Administration Certificate both from the University Duluth Minnesota. I am truly honored to work at the Ojibwe School.

Boozhoo, my name is Maria DeFoe. The students call me Ms. Maria. I am the after school activities coordinator. I coordinate other programs such as the Babaamaadiziwin Gitigaan which is a youth garden program for students 14 -17 years of age in the summer months. I’ve been coordinating the summer youth garden group for 11 years. It’s so much fun to work with the youth especially doing garden/market activities, after school programming and other special events. I’m also on various committees at the Ojibwe School and within the reservation. I’ve been working in education for about 21 years and I’m also a college student in my spare time. I always look forward to working with students and families. I would like to say miigwech and thank you for taking the time to read about me. Giigaawaabamin Naagaaj, Maria