Mackenzi Navenma (she, her, hers)
I am Hopi/Tewa from Northern Arizona. I come from the Kookyungwungwa (Spider Clan) from my mother and Patungwungwa (Pumpkin Clan) from my father’s clan. Traditional pottery has been and continues to be a family legacy. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University and a Master’s degree in Educational Technology/Learning Design. I have been an educator for eleven years on the Hopi and Navajo reservation. My passion in education is helping my students find their strengths as an Indigenous student. We use language, culture and collaborative skills to have meaningful conversations to learn from each other. Understanding our past is an important component to create a future where my students are aware of how past and current events can affect their communities. Currently, I am the Vice President of the First Mesa Elementary school board.