ABSTRACT
Lonasee shares her story of growing up in Zuni, and as a native Zuni speaker, struggling to learn English. She was bullied and shamed when she tried to speak English in school. It was at this time she decided to be a teacher so she could help others learn. She remembered what her grandparents and great-grandparents taught her: “We, the younger ones, are to grow up to be the ones to care for the elderly and speak for them, and in return teach our young to do the same for us when we get older.” She shares her upbringing in traditional Zuni culture, including prayers, songs, and planting. Lonasee, an early childhood educator, explains how she learned project-based learning from Zuni: Engaging Teachers and Community (ZETAC) and now incorporates the Zuni language, songs, and prayers when teaching her preschoolers, during her Heritage Seed Project. As a ZETAC participant, Lonasee is also working toward her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She shares how important ZETAC has been in her success as she works toward her ultimate goal of being a licensed early childhood teacher.
