Ann Renker PhD
OSSI Continuous Improvement Partner (for OSPI)
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Ann Renker was born and raised on New York’s Long Island and has lived in Neah Bay, WA (Makah Reservation) for 39 years. Her PhD work (American University, Anthropology 1987) concentrated on American Indian language studies and applied linguistics/bilingual education. After working at the Makah Cultural and Research Center for many years, she began a 20 year commitment to the Cape Flattery School District as an ESL/bilingual teacher and ultimately as the principal at Markishtum Middle/Neah Bay High School. Ann has also worked as an Assistant Superintendent and an improvement coach for OSPI.
Working with Indigenous Languages from Guatemala
An increasing number of families from Guatemala are attending WA schools, and a significant number speak an indigenous language from the Mayan and/or Uto-Aztecan language families, among others. As we teach English, working with these speakers can be more effective when sociolinguistic and sociocultural information is incorporated into student and family services and interventions. Special attention will be directed to increasing staff knowledge of an indigenous language's phonetic inventory and morphemic/syntactic structures. In addition to providing more effective language bridging for these learners, increased awareness can also reduce the number of inappropriate referrals to SWD programs (before EL opportunities are exhausted). Additional attention will be directed to linguistic resources so staff can access highly vetted information when working with these indigenous languages.
Ann Renker PhD
OSSI Continuous Improvement Partner (for OSPI)
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