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.

Aaniin (Hello), my name is Maria. I am the Grants and Accountability Manager for the school. I work with our school staff, students, families and community to help make our school building and surrounding areas a safe place to work, learn, study, and succeed.

At our school we are committed to provide a safe and secure environment which is based on our Anishinaabe values and traditions. We are fortunate to have a beautiful school building which is surrounded by trees, water, animals, plants, a garden and people. Our school is very special because of all of those reasons and more!

We strive to challenge our students with high academic expectations and encourage our students to become respectful, responsible life long learners and live their life in a good way.

If you would like to reach me please email mariadefoe@fdlrez.com or call 218-878-7259.

Miigwech (thank you) for your time, Mi ‘iw (That’s it)