3-Vitali, F SERVICE

 My service to the community is an extension of my teaching and provides creative outlets for teacher candidates and I to learn, interact, perform, coach, problem-solve, create, alongside one another in authentic settings. Community outreach is also exposure for our program and our students. With everything we do, we know we are representing the philosophy, the face, and the branding of UNM in our communities.

Students participate in several practicum experiences where they can apply theory to practice. All teacher candidates and I Judge local and regional Science Fairs. Many invitations come from our UNM teacher graduates who are now hosting and facilitating their school’s science fairs. Oral History Family Project at McKinley and Apache Elementary School is a literacy program, where UNM teacher candidates coach third grade students through the storytelling and writing processes; Family Math Nights and Family Reading Nights at Kirtland Elementary School are opportunities for teacher candidates to plan intergenerational math and reading activities for the family; 21st Century Afterschool program grant at Blanco Elementary School focused on literacy through creative drama. These practicum experiences also balance the online courses that students are taking more of each semester. Working with students affords me the opportunity to observe them in classroom and learning settings as they draw from their own background knowledge as well as applying course content learned in methods and teacher preparation program. Teacher candidates also record their reflections on the educational EdWeb site in a closed professional learning community.

Service includes participation in:

Local and regional Science Fairs

Family Literacy & STEM Nights:

• Dream Dine' Explora Trunks-Sound Exploration (Spring 2019)

• Dream Dine' Family Poetry & Stories Family Night (Spring 2019)

• Chautauqua Performance Family Night (Fall 2018)

• Kirtland Elementary School Family Storytelling Night (Fall 2018)

• Storytelling Festival (Fall 2018)

Kirtland Elementary School Family Math Nights and Family Reading Nights

Four Corner Storytelling Festival (sponsored by Farmington Public Library) introduce master storytellers

Blanco Elementary 21st Century Afterschool Program: Creative Poetry DramaRama (see Blanco Poetry & 21st Century Community Learning below)

Oral Family History Project with Apache [2007- 2013] & McKinley [2013-present] Elementary Schools

Discovery Festival: Aviaries & Aviarists at McGee Park (October 7 & 8, 2016). First Place Health Category

Discovery Festival: a new San Juan County STEM initiative at McGee Park (December 5 & 6, 2014)

Comprehensive List of Authorship & Presentations

Books

Family Storytelling as Authentic Pedagogy: Teacher Candidates, Storytelling Coaches and Diverse Student Voices. (Vitali, 2024). Routledge Press. In Press.

Published Dissertation: Navajo Cyber-sovereignty: Digital Diné Weaving the World Wide Web into an Oral Culture, 2000 (Emporia State  University, Kansas). Available on ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Database & OCLC World Cat

Articles

Submitted  Stories from a voiceless profession: Teacher practitioner research to Language and Literacy (Canada) for peer review January 2021)

Vitali, F. (2020). Technology of Story: Documenting Culturally Sustaining Anti-Racist Teaching. Proceedings from the Document Academy, 7(1), Article 16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35492/docam/7/1/16 Available at: https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/docam/vol7/iss1/16

Vitali, F. & O'Connor, B. (2018). A Palimpsest of Diné Voices. The Proceedings of the Document Academy (DOCAM), 4(2). Retrieved fromhttps://doi.org/10.35492/docam/4/2/3

Teaching with Stories as the Content and Context for Learning. (2016). Global Education Review, 3(1), 40-59. (see GER final copy attached)

Co-published with Jean Whitehorse “Navajo Cyber-Sovereignty” in Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) (Summer 2003).  

Research Grants

The teacher documentary project is a way to capture the authentic and professional voices of teacher candidates and mentor teachers as they learn  from each other as colleagues. This research assumes a more nuanced storytelling medium in sharing what UNM teachers are learning alongside their  respective mentor teachers and on their own as they take over full time teaching.

            Reviews of grant proposals    

         Culture of Health Prize Award proposal (Nov. 4, 2019). Systems of health and wellness through a Navajo cultural perspective of K'e in building community support with city, local health, wellness, law enforcement, fire department, behavioral health authority agencies.

          Wrote Wells Fargo School Grant with Animas Elementary School in continuing school garden initiative started with Whole Kids Foundation Grant. (Fall 2019)

            MCCUNE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION ($15,000) GROW our OWN: Teacher Education Assistants Commence Higher (G.O: T.E.A.C.H!) G.O: T.E.A.C.H!, a rural education and recruitment initiative, provides Education Assistants (EAs), already committed and embedded in  their school communities, an opportunity to become licensed teachers. G.O: T.E.A.C.H! is a partnership with Farmington Municipal Schools (FMS) in  addressing the current teacher shortage in (FMS). This collaborative project will support a cohort of EAs drawn from the more than 100 EAs working in  21 FMS schools (K-12). 

            Unsolicited letters describing contributions to community, awarding of prizes, gratitude of students and professional colleagues, contracts for future  publications

            Presented Music & Language through Play. 3rd Annual Infant/Toddler Professional Development Seminar: “Early Experiences Matter” (San Juan College, October 25, 2019)

             Imagining America (20th Anniversary). Invited to intergenerational group of approximately 40 established and emerging leaders in the publicly engaged scholarship, creative practice, and civic engagement fields to participate in closed session: Imagining America: Artists and Scholars in Public Life (April 2019)

1. Storytelling and Chautauqua presentations in local communities and schools (2005-present)

2. San Juan College Kids Kollege Music for Fun workshop July 15-19, 2019. Presenting music, movement and poetry engagements for a diverse group of 6-12 year olds.

3. Community Outreach in local school districts in Farmington and Central Consolidated School District

   1. ·       Explora! Community Outreach Science Kits at Dream Dine' Charter School (Fall 2018-Fall 2019): Art Bots, Creature Feature & Music & Vibration Trunks presented to students

      1. ·         Family Literacy & STEM Nights:

      2. ·      Dream Dine' Explora Trunks-Sound Exploration (Spring 2019)

      3. ·      Dream Dine' Family Poetry & Stories Family Night (Spring 2019)

      4. ·      Chautauqua Performance Family Night (Fall 2018)

      5. ·      Kirtland Elementary School Family Storytelling Night (Fall 2018)

      6. ·      Storytelling Festival (Fall 2018)

4. Presented Technology of Story: Culturally Responsive Teaching at Document Academy's (DOCAM) 2020 conference (Documentary Monstrosities). Proceedings from the Document Academy will be  published in December 2020 issue.

• 1. Presented African American History in San Juan County. Leadership San Juan Multicultural Day, Shiprock, NM  (January 10, 2020)

5. Master of Ceremony for San Juan Partnership's Multicultural Conference, April 12, 2019, (San Juan College, Farmington, NM)

6. Musician (flute) accompanying Jake Sapon on published Music Album Dreams of Loss and Light (2018).

7. Cheaseboro, M. (2017 Summer). Young Writers and storytellers: Oral history project boosts kids' storytelling skills. Majestic Living Magazine, pp. 14-18, 50.

8. Presented Harriet Tubman Chautauqua, The African Diaspora to America. San Juan College, Farmington, NM (March 17, 2017) 

9. Mayeux, D. Winter 2016). Giving voice to the past. Majestic Living Magazine, pp. 34 –36. Retrieved from http://www.majesticlivingusa.com/winter-2016/

10. Oral history of African-American community in Farmington, NM 87401. (2017). Retrieved from https://storify.com/farmington/getting-started

11. Summer Reading Program projects on the Navajo Nation for Youth Workforce Development  employees (July 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017) Lower Fruitland, Burnham, Lake Valley, San Juan, Gadiiˊahi Chapter Houses)  

12. Speaker and facilitator at STEAM-H Career Exploration Extravaganza Weekend for community learning academy of k-12 educators, a collaboration with Multicultural Educational Center and Health Science Center (June 13, 2015)

13.  Nominated for the Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color (PNMGC) Faculty of Color Mentorship Award honoring faculty who have impacted students’ educational experiences  (April 9, 2015) (see jsmith letter below)

14.  Recognized by Farmington Community Relations Commission Honoring Women’s History Month “Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives” (March 2015)  

15. Keynote Speaker at New Mexico Virtual Academy Graduation (May 15, 2014 Albuquerque, NM)

16. Nominated for Lecturer's Award 2011, 2012, 2017 (see nominating letters below)

Other: 

Graduate Recruitment Grant - $800 (GRG) for recruitment of master students, implemented summer and fall of 2017 (increased our graduate enrollment in Fall 2017)

Graduate Recruitment Grant - $600 (GRG) for recruitment of master students, implemented summer and fall of 2013 (increased our graduate enrollment in Fall 2013)

EdWeb Blog Professional Learning Communities (you were sent an invitation to join edweb.net to join our community)

Graduate Student Highlight (2014-2015)

Bisti Writing Project (BWP), affiliate of National Writing Project (NWP) (see BWP Navajo Times , June 25, 2015 article below)

Course Sites 

• EDUC 513/590 Teacher Practitioners

• EDUC 400 (Semester 3)

• EDUC 400 (Semester 2)

• LLSS 315

• EDUC 450

• EDUC 438 (SP 2021)

• EDUC 438 (SU 2021)

• EDUC 438 (SP2020)

• EDUC 438 (F2020)

• EDUC 438 (SP2019)

• EDUC 438 (SU 2019)

• EDUC 438 (F 2019)

• EDUC 438 (SP 2018)

• EDUC 438 (F 2018)

• EDUC 438 (SU 2018)

• UNM San Juan Center Professional Portfolios

       Continued Research Presentations

       Presented “Technology of Story: Culturally Responsive Teaching” at DOCAM 2020 Conference: “Documentary Monstrosities” via Zoom. (article published).

       Co-presented Winter Tales & More with Chautauqua Stories (Hane' dóó bilááh) / Jeannie Whitehorse Mountains and Plains Library Association (MPLA) & New Mexico Library Association Conference (NMLA) (October 30-November 1, 2019)

       Zero to Hero School Safety, Security and Communications Assessment Strategic Report presented to Shiprock Associated Schools, Inc. (SASI) administration (collaboration with MTM Solutions) (February 2019)

        Master of Ceremony for San Juan County Partnership's 19th Creating Cultural Harmony Conference: Connections (April 12, 2019 )        

        Present Storytelling and Chautauqua Literacy presentations in local communities and schools (2005-present).

       Presented African American History in San Juan County at Leadership San Juan Multicultural Day

(Dine' College, Shiprock, January 11, 2019 )

        Co-facilitator NWP Bisti Writing Project (BWP) Invitational Summer Institute (ISI) June 4-26, 2020

        Co-facilitator Bisti Writing Project (BWP) Invitational Summer Institute (ISI), June 8-18, 2019.

        Connie Gotsch Arts Foundation Grant recipient at McKinley Elementary School: Oral Family History Project collaboration with three 5th grade classrooms, UNM teacher candidates and High School student coaches (Fall 2017-Spring 2018).

            Wrote Whole Kids Foundation & Annie’s Garden Grants for school community garden at Animas Elementary School (October, November 2018)

           Wrote Wells Fargo School Grant with Animas Elementary School in continuing school garden initiative started with Whole Kids Foundation Grant.

           Cotaught Homelessness & Social Work 435/535 (Martinez & Vitali) with Dr. Rey Martinez from New Mexico Highlands University (Farmington campus) as Special Topics course (Summer 2018)        

          Collaborated and led One Book One Community (March) Civil Rights SNCC Re-Enactment. San Juan College Mary's Kitchen (September 26, 2018)

             Presented Writing with stories is strategic learning. Third Annual NM Teacher Summit. Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM (June 18-19, 2018)

        Chaired presenters of Community Driven Politics at the 12th Annual Critical Race Studies in Education Conference (May 30-June1, 2018)  

         Guest Presenter at Northern Arizona Reading Council: Story as strategy in learning (March 24, 2018)

        Presented Digital Inclusion in Native Communities:  The Diné Experience. Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries,and Museums (ATALM), Santa Ana Pueblo, NM (October 11-12, 2017)      

          Presented  A Palimpsest of Diné Voices. Document Academy (DOCAM17), University of Indiana in Bloomington, IN  (September 29-30, 2017)

            Presented Teaching with stories Telling like it is. Educators Connect for Success Conference, Columbus, Ohio: Ohio State University (June 7-8, 2017)

            Co-presented with Maria Winfield Teacher practitioner research: Social justice action in the classroom. Global Conference on Education Research (GLOCER), Association of North America Higher Education International. Sarasota, Florida: University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (May 22-25, 2017)

            Presented Stories from a voiceless profession. Athens Institute of Education and Research (ATINER), Athens, Greece (May 16-17, 2017)

           Co-presented with Jean Whitehorse & Michael Thompson: Developing a Culturally Appropriate Children's Literature Collection at International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Tribal Libraries, and Museums (ATLAM, October 11-12, 2016) 

             DIGITAL DINE' Book based on dissertation and newer research: UNM Press contract in 2006 and let it lapse; now updating to resubmit for publication

Facilitated Panel Discussion Teacher Practitioner Research: Learning from our Classroom Stories, with Alyse Spencer, Briana Frentzko, Clark Rathe Juanita Begay at SHARED KNOWLEDGE Conference (April 23-24, 2015 Albuquerque, NM) 

Facilitated Panel Discussion Teacher Practitioner Research: Stories from our Classrooms with Devin Bozzelli, Amanda Champany, Mary Durfey, Melissa Hughes, Rita McGrath & Dana Murray at Graduate Student Colloquium (2014 UNM Albuquerque, NM)

Co-presented with Jean Whitehorse Who's Telling your Story: Authenticity in American Indian Children's Literature at International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Tribal Libraries, and Museums (ATLAM, June 10, 2014 Palm Springs, CA) (see handout below)

Co-presented with Jean Whitehorse Oral History of Digital Dine': Bridging the Digital Divide in Navajoland at International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums (June 7, 2012 Tulsa, OK)  (see oral history digital dine' handout below)

Co-presented with Susan Watson Teacher Practitioner Research: Story from a New Mexico Classroom at 10th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education (HICE) (January 5, 2012 Honolulu, HI)  (see HICE presentation handout below)

Presented Telling our own Stories: An Oral Family Writing Project at 2011 Collective Voices/High Desert Writing Project Conference (October 29, 2011 Albuquerque, NM) 

Co-presented with Daniel Tabor Learning beside your students with Digital Portfolios at MNSTE 2010 Innovations in Leadership & Learning Conference (April 23, 2010 Albuquerque, NM) 

Co-presented with LaVelda Charley Culturally Relevant Teaching: Honoring funds of knowledge ascontent and context for teaching and learning at NMCTE (October 3, 2010, Albuquerque, NM) 

Member of the Recruiting for Diversity of National Writing Project (NWP)  (June 2010, Minneapolis, MN)                                                                               (see https://sites.google.com/site/nwpr4d/home)                                                                      

Co-presented with Alexa Parker Rethinking American History using Children’s Literature at New Mexico International Reading Association (NMIRA) Regional Conference (April 11, 2008 Albuquerque, NM)

Presented with Gladys Tracy & Teacher Practitioner Voices: Celebrating Classroom Stories of Change Panel Discussion at NMCTE Annual Conference (Sept. 28-29, 2007 Las Cruces, NM) 

Facilitated Teacher Practitioner Research panel Honoring Navajo Culture and Language with Marlena Shepard, Judith Benally & Gladys Tracy at the 16th Annual Navajo Studies Conference (November 2006 UNM Albuquerque, NM) (see INLP Navajo Studies Conference 2006)

Teacher Consultant for Bisti Writing Project (BWP) affiliate of National Writing Project (NWP) since 2005 in planning and supporting teacher professional development institutes,  workshops throughout academic year and during Invitational Summer Institutes as co- facilitator 

Producer of oral dramatic reading of Navajo Creation Story, River of Separation performed at the Farmington Public Library (November 2003 Farmington, NM)

Panel member presenting Overview of New Mexico State Library and Bill & Melinda Gates Partnership in the Eastern Navajo Agency at the Navajo Studies Conference (2003 Diné College, Tsaile, AZ) 

Co-presented with Jean Whitehorse Digital Diné at the 11th Annual Navajo Studies Conference (2001 Northern Arizona University, AZ)