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Indigenous Education

IEP

Welcome to CUSD Indigenous Education

Hello and welcome to our Indigenous Education Program website.  My name is Antonette Shirley and I am the Indigenous Student Engagement Specialist. We are happy that you are part of our CUSD family. I look forward to collaborating with you so that your students can be successful. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Ahe’he’

Thank you!

Antonette Shirley, MEd.
Indigenous Student Engagement Specialist


Program Information

The Indigenous Education Program is a federally funded program to supplement academic educational support and family cultural engagement.

  • Johnson O’Malley Funds (JOM) is a federal program whose main objective is to ensure that Indian children receive educational opportunities that would not otherwise be provided through public school system. JOM is a supplemental program providing services to Indian students based on the needs of individual communities.
     
  • Indian ED 506 Title VI Grant Program is federal funding to meet the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of Indian students to meet the challenging state of academic standards, to ensure that Indian students gain knowledge and understanding of Native communities, languages, Tribal histories, traditions and cultures, to ensure teachers, principals, school staff, and leaders who serve Indian students to have the ability to provide culturally appropriate and effective instruction to support such students.

Contact Us

Dr. Korry Brenner
Director of Federal Programs & State Initiatives
(480) 224-3741

Kathrine Buchanan
Administrative Assistant
(480) 224-3741

Indigenous Student Engagement Specialist
(480) 224-3739

Lisa St. Peter
District Parent Liaison
(480) 224-3749

Visit Us!

Click on the address to get directions. We are located at:

Melinda Romero Instructional Resource Center

500 W Galveston St
Chandler, AZ 85225

Additional Information

Land Acknowledgement 2025

In 2025, the Chandler Unified School District acknowledged that the district is located on the ancestral land of the Piipaash, Akimel O'odham, Gila River, Salt River, Pima, Maricopa and Yaqui tribes.

CUSD recognizes and respects the sovereignty of all Indigenous people, and understands the importance of a high quality learning community that welcomes and connects all students to successful future pathways.

View the complete Land Acknowledgement Video below.

Follow Us On Social Media!

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The Indigenous Education Program is on Instagram @cusdindigenousep - follow us on social media. If you would like to promote opportunities, feature one of your students' accomplishments, or highlight any relevant info to Indigenous Ed. on any of our social media or newsletters, contact Antonette Shirley at Shirley.Antonette@cusd80.com or 480-224-3739. We share and repost other ideas and opportunities that come up daily, so be sure to check it out!

Indigenous Student Advisors & Clubs

The following high schools below have active Indigenous Student Advisor(s)/Club Sponsor(s) on campus. This advisor is the Native American Club/Indigenous Student Club sponsor and a student advocate- someone who monitors student's grades and attendance and provides the support necessary to ensure the student has a successful high school experience. Please feel free to reach out to these individuals, or other school counseling staff. 

GUEST SPEAKERS: If your program or institution wants to attend a student meeting, you must get prior approval from Antonette Shirley.

Andersen Elementary School

Andersen Elementary School

Club Sponsor/Indigenous Student Advisors:

Barbara Richardson

(480) 812-6046

Andersen Junior High School

Andersen Junior High School

Club Sponsor/Indigenous Student Advisor:

Jamaila Stevens

(480) 883-5380

Basha High School

Basha High School

Club Sponsors/Indigenous Student Advisors

Karla Palafox

(480) 224-2220

Bogle Junior High School

Bogle Junior High School

Club Sponsors/Indigenous Student Advisors:

Torre Valentine

(480) 883-5526

Casteel High School

Casteel High School

Club Sponsors/Indigenous Student Advisors

Sarah Marin

(480) 424-8149

Chandler High School

Chandler High School

Club Sponsor/Indigenous Student Advisor:

Rosemary Liversedge

(480) 812-7727

Brett Parks

Club Sponsor/Indigenous Student Advisor

(480) 812-7850

Conley Elementary School

Conley Elementary School

Club Sponsor/Indigenous Student Advisor:

Mary Catherine Barrios

(480) 812-6270

Frye Elementary School

Frye Elementary School

Club Sponsor/Indigenous Student Advisor:

Jacob Kasselman

(480) 224-6469

Hancock Elementary School

Hancock Elementary School

Club Sponsor/Indigenous Student Advisor

Sarah Funtowicz

480-883-5967

Payne Junior High School

Payne Junior High School

Club Sponsor/Indigenous Student Advisor:

Angela Gillette

480-224-2439

Perry High School

Perry High School

Club Sponsor/Indigenous Student Advisor

Kimberly Leas

480-224-2815