San Juan School District congratulates Christina Boone, a teacher at Montezuma Creek Elementary School, on completing the 2026 Yale National Initiative program.
Boone was one of seven teachers from school districts on the Navajo Nation selected as Yale National Fellows this year. The program helps public school teachers strengthen their subject knowledge, conduct research and develop new curriculum for their students.
Boone attended a two-day orientation at Yale University in May, followed by a two-week intensive session in July. During the session, Fellows participated in daily seminars led by Yale faculty.
Each Fellow developed a research-based curriculum unit aligned with the needs and standards of their school district. Boone will use her unit in her classroom during the coming school year. Yale plans to publish the completed curriculum units online later this month, making them available to educators in San Juan School District and across the country.
The Yale National Initiative brings teachers and university faculty together as colleagues. The program is designed to strengthen classroom instruction, increase student engagement and give teachers new opportunities to lead while continuing to work directly with students.
Boone will return to Yale on Nov. 6 and 7 for the program’s Annual Conference. Fellows will discuss their curriculum units and the results of using them in their classrooms. Students will also share what they learned from the new lessons.
Congratulations to Christina Boone on this national recognition and her commitment to creating meaningful learning opportunities for students at Montezuma Creek Elementary School.
Learn more about the Yale National Initiative and its work with teachers on the Navajo Nation at navajonationteacherfellows.com.