K-12 Curriculum Writer

National Indian Education Association; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Indian Education Association seeks Curriculum Writer(s) for projects aimed at developing K-12 lesson plans that emphasize Indigenous perspectives and cultural accuracy. Key tasks include crafting engaging, standards-aligned materials for diverse audiences in collaboration with local schools. Writers will play a crucial role in enriching educational experiences for both teachers and students within the region, focusing on a culturally responsive approach to learning.

Qualifications

• Experience in K-12 curriculum development.
• Knowledge of Minnesota’s Indigenous Education for All standards.
• Ability to create culturally responsive materials.

Responsibilities

• Develop lesson plans for K-12 teachers and summer youth programs.
• Collaborate with cultural knowledge keepers.
• Ensure curriculum meets state educational standards.

Skills

Curriculum Development

Cultural Competency

Indigenous Education

Collaboration

Education

Experience in K-12 education

Job description

Request for Proposals (RFP)

Seeking: Curriculum Writer(s) and Project Manager(s)

1. Overview

Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi is encouraging qualified curriculum writers to submit a proposal for one or both projects listed below. This request for proposal includes:

• Project #1: K-12 lesson plans for 90-minute field trips to Wakan Tipi that meets the Minnesota Department of Education’s Indigenous Education for All standards
  • The curriculum writer will develop a suite (minimum of 3) of free, downloadable lesson plans for K-12 teachers to utilize for self-guided field trips to Wakan Tipi (aka Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary)
• Project #2: Curriculum and lesson plans for WTA’s summer youth program that incorporates Dakota and Anishinaabe perspectives across one or more subject areas and meets credit recovery standards
  • The curriculum writer will develop a 3-week Indigenous Youth summer program curriculum for WTA
  • The curriculum will meet requirements for high school credit recovery in one or more core subjects and will be developed in coordination with Saint Paul and Minneapolis Public Schools

Both projects will be developed in collaboration with Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi staff and identified cultural knowledge keepers and will facilitate the curriculum concept and theme development to ensure cultural accuracy, relevance, and place-based learning.

2. Projects

Project #1: K-12 Field Trip Lesson Plans | Minnesota Indigenous Education for All Standards-Aligned Lessons

Scope of Work

Audience: Minnesota K-12 Teachers and Students

The curriculum writer will create engaging and standards-aligned lesson plans for one or more of the following core subjects:

• Arts
• English/Language Arts
• Math
• Physical Education
• Science
• Social Studies

Lesson plans should:

• Incorporate Indigenous perspectives, histories, and knowledge systems
• Support place-based and experiential learning connected to Wakan Tipi and other metro-area culturally important sites
• Include student assessments, hands-on activities, and digital resources
• Be adaptable for diverse learning styles and classroom environments
• Provide educators with teaching and facilitation guides and student materials

Project Deliverables

• K-12 Package that includes a minimum of 3 lesson plans and facilitation guides for educators that include identified subject area(s) and meet state and district standards. Grade level(s) selection is dependent on the curriculum writer’s expertise and preferences.
• Final Report & Resource Guide detailing lesson plan development process and recommendations for implementation

Project #2: Summer Youth Program Curriculum and Lesson Plan Development | Credit Recovery-Approved Curriculum

Scope of Work

Audience: American Indian High School Students

The curriculum writer will develop a 3-week, standards-aligned curriculum for high school students needing credit recovery in:

• Math
• Social Studies
• English/Language Arts and/or
• Science

The summer program curriculum should:

• Integrate Indigenous knowledge and culturally responsive pedagogy
• Be developed in coordination with Saint Paul and Minneapolis Public Schools
• Include lesson plans, student assessments, project-based and experiential learning, and digital resources

Project Deliverables

• High School Summer Program Package for credit recovery that includes curriculum, lesson plans, and facilitation guides for WTA’s program staff
• Final Report & Resource Guide detailing curriculum development process and recommendations for implementation.

3. Qualifications

• Experience in K-12 curriculum development
• Knowledge of Minnesota’s Indigenous Education for All standards and legislation
• Experience working in collaboration with Indigenous cultural knowledge keepers
• Familiarity with Dakota and Anishinaabe cultures, histories, and educational approaches
• Ability to create engaging, place-based, experiential, and culturally responsive materials
• Experience working with Saint Paul and Minneapolis Public Schools (preferred)

4. Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested applicants should submit a proposal including:

• Letter of Interest detailing experience in curriculum development and Indigenous education
• Resume or CV demonstrating relevant experience
• Up to 3 Work Samples (lesson plans or curriculum examples)
• Proposed Work Plan & Timeline (including how they will collaborate with Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi staff and cultural knowledge keepers)
• A detailed budget
• 2-3 references from past clients

All submission requirements should be compiled into a single PDF and named “WTA Curriculum Writer Proposal_ [Applicant Name]”

5. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Related experience and quality of previous K-12 curriculum
• Cultural competency and understanding of American Indian communities in Minnesota
• Feasibility and clarity of the proposed project approach
• Cost-effectiveness, value, and proposed project timeline
• Experience working on American Indian or Tribal-led focused projects

6. Proposal Submission Deadline

All proposals must be submitted by the extended deadline of June 30th, 2025. Submissions should be sent via email at [e-mail] with the subject line “Curriculum Writer Proposal – [Applicant Name]”. For any questions, please reach out to Louisa Harstad, Director of Programs, via email at [e-mail].

7. Project Timeline for Project #1

• RFP Released: week of May 5th, 2025
• Proposal Submission Deadline: June 30th, 2025
• Interviews: Week of July 21, 2025
• Selection Announcement: week of July 28th, 2025
• Project Kickoff: week of August 4th, 2025
• Final Deliverables Due: November 10th, 2025

8. Project Timeline for Project #2

• RFP Released: week of May 5th, 2025
• Proposal Submission Deadline: June 30th, 2025
• Interviews: Week of July 21, 2025
• Selection Announcement: week of July 28th, 2025
• Project Kickoff: week of August 4th, 2025
• Final Deliverables Due: February 28, 2026

9. Contact Information

Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi

332 Minnesota St Suite W1520

Saint Paul, MN 55101

[e-mail]

10. About WTA

Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi is a Native-led nonprofit dedicated to the stewardship of natural and cultural sites, including the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary (Wakan Tipi) in Saint Paul. Our work focuses on traditional ecological knowledge education, Indigenous land stewardship, and cultural connections and healing.

Tagged as: curriculum, dakota, education, ojibwe