Ita Lavayi

LEAD GUIDE

Joannie Takala, Hopi Speaking Primary Montessori Guide. I am from the village of Shungopavy, of the Snow Clan. My earlier part of education started at the Toreva Head Start, and completed my high school at Sherman Indian High School in Riverside, CA, where I received my high school diploma in 1982. Later in my education, I attended Northland Pioneer College and received my Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Development. After working in the Phoenix area for a few years, I returned home to the Hopi reservation. I started my Work in special education, helping children with autism at the various schools on the Hopi reservation. In 2023, I became a teacher assistant at Hopitutuqaiki-Language Immersion School. Not long after that, I went to school at Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies, where I received my certificate as a Montessori guide in June of 2024. As a guide at Hopi Language Immersion School, my mission is to reclaim our children's education and honor our heritage by using a comprehensive cultural and academic curriculum to assist families in nurturing Hopi speaking holistically healthy community-minded and academically strong students. Changes and transitions have been a constant since the inception of the Hopi Language Immersion School. We will always be learning and trying to do better as we continue to focus on revitalizing our language and the development of our children, our staff, and our overall organization. As a lead guide and teacher, I have worked to help create a culture of love and a love of learning, unlearning, and relearning, building a safe environment for our children and our community. The work is hard to do alone. We know we can't do it without the support of our board directors, Tribal leadership, funders, and all our supporters whose commitment to Hopi language immersion school helps us attain our mission. 

Askawli,

Kiishynom

TEACHER ASSISTANT

Leann Lomatska, a proud member of the Koykangwungwa clan (Spider clan) from the village of Hotevilla, is deeply rooted in her culture. She currently serves as a teacher assistant at the Hopitutuqaiki Language Immersion School (tsasak’hoymuy kii’am) and is studying to be Montessori-trained, all while maintaining her strong connection to her Hopi heritage.

Today, Leann's dedication is evident as she takes care of her mother in Hotevilla Arizona, while also finding time to create yungyapu (Hopi wicker plaque) in her spare time.

“Nu hapi I’muy tsatsak’hoymuy ow ha’lai’ii, It hopi lavayi tuqaivani. Ovi ima tastasyom hapi qa ita’ lavayi qa sutok’nayani. Pay yan’tani asqualli.”