Dr. Vangee Nez

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Dr. Vangee Nez – Northern Arizona Regional Representative

Current Role / Institution
Vangee is currently an Assistant Professor in the College of Education, Department of
Educational Specialties’ Bilingual Multicultural Education (BME) Program at the
Northern Arizona University—Mountain Campus in Flagstaff, AZ. Dr. Nez teaches BME
courses to undergraduates and graduate students to support multicultural education.

Professional Background
Dr. Nez is a tribal member of the Navajo Nation. Her clans are Tachiinii, Ta’neeszahnii,
Naakaii Dine’e, and Bit’ahni. She has been dedicated to supporting Native America
language programs in the Navajo Nation and training Navajo language and culture
teachers for certification in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah and collaborated with
schools serving Navajo students to continue and develop teaching strategies for the
Navajo language proficiency. At NAU, her research explores the theoretical and
Philosophical Foundations of Navajo Epistemology and Navajo Knowledge of Sa’ah
Naaghai Bik’eh Hozhoon (SNBH) framework for cultural knowledge, storytelling, and
culturally responsive teaching. Dr. Nez serves on several committees along with the
annual American Indian Indigenous Teacher Education Conference (AIITEC) to support
Native education and language efforts, and the Navajo Nation Teacher Education
Consortium (NNTEC) to recruit Navajo students to become teachers in Arizona, New Mexico
Mexico, and Utah.

Areas of Expertise / Interests

• Bilingual/Multilingual Education
• Certification for Native American Language and Cultural teachers
• Culturally Responsive Teaching in Indigenous Communities
• Indigenous curriculum design
• Multicultural Education
• Navajo Philosophy and Epistemology framework
• Professional development and learning for Indigenous Educators
• Structured English Immersion
• Standards development for the Navajo Nation
  

AZTESOL Involvement
As an AZTESOL regional representative for the Northern AZ, Dr. Nez is committed to
adding Indigenous perspective for multilingual and multicultural learners to reach
proficiency and become knowledgeable of their histories. She aims to connect with tribal nations in Northern AZ to include their voices. Dr. Nez would like to become familiar with
Arizona policies and contribute to statewide initiatives for Native American Language
programs and Native American teachers’ certification for teaching their tribal languages
in the local community. She would like to serve on the Arizona English Language
Proficiency Standards Committee in support of Native American initiatives and provide
Indigenous perspective on policies and assessments.