KarunaNews Story

The Cherokee language is blended into the school day at the tribal-controlled Cherokee Central School in North Carolina. Consuela ‘Consie’ Girty, who has been with the district for over 20 years and superintendent since June 2023, is excited about the cultural immersion opportunity. “We’ve got a real push on culturally responsive instruction, and I feel like it’s going to make a huge impact with our kids, because that’s what they need, that’s who they are,” she said. The school has shifted to a “co-teaching model,” with language teachers assigned to grade blocks who flow in and out of classrooms. Richard Bottchenbaugh teaches Cherokee I, Cherokee II, and Cherokee Immersion to high schoolers. In Cherokee Immersion, students converse in Cherokee, and go on nature walks to identify plants, go swimming, dance, sing, and play Cherokee games.