Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University Launches New Education Degree
The Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University Ozhitamaadizoyang (making it for ourselves) Education Department will develop and implement a teacher education program and will increase teacher candidates who value Indigenous knowledge systems in our service area of Northern Wisconsin.
The Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University Elementary/Middle School Education Program will focus on preparing teachers, increasing Native American teacher retention rates in Wisconsin, increasing Ojibwe Immersion Teachers, and increasing the diversity of teachers. LCOOU Education Program will respond to under-served geographic areas (rural reservations), particularly in understaffed content areas such as mathematics and science. The Elementary/Middle School Education Program prepares teachers to plan, instruct, assess, and adjust. Teachers graduating from LCOOU Education Program will know, understand, implement, and assess the cultural experience of all children by integrating Culturally Responsive Schooling and implementing social justice education. Teachers will be prepared to assist children with space based education and land based education by being aware of our connection to the earth and the importance of protecting natural resources. A reciprocal obligation not only to our earth but to each other will be emphasized by utilizing Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Graduates with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary/Middle School Education could pursue a career as a licensed elementary school teacher, daycare administrator, preschool teacher, Ojibwe immersion teacher, or substitute teacher.
On February 11, 2025, the Elementary/Middle School (K–9) program submission was approved by Dr. Kimberly Strike, an Education Consultant with the Licensing, Educator Advancement, and Development division at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Dr. Strike stated, “I am honored to be a part of your journey, and I know the work you and your team put into this process. Please know that your dedication to the field [of education] is greatly appreciated. I look forward to the completion of our state’s first bilingual Ojibwe candidates.”
LCOOU’s President Swagger said, “This degree is very important to our people because we need to prepare our future generations for the challenges that await us. A strong teacher education degree program will be a great starting point for those changes to take place.”
An open house is planned for April 25, 2025 at LCOOU.
To learn more about this degree program or to enroll, contact the LCOOU Admissions team at 715-634-4790 or visit the website at https://www.lco.edu/admissions.