World Cafe

Hello, my name is Kiishynom, I am from the village of Shungopavi of the Hopi Tribe and a family member of the Snow Clan. My earliest part of my education started at the Toreva Head Start on Hopi. I completed high school at Sherman Indian High School, in Riverside, California and received my diploma in 1982. Later on I attended The Bryman School as a Dental Assistant and received my Certificate in 1994. Later in my education I attended Northland Pioneer College in Holbrook, Az. I received my associates degree in my undergraduate studies in Early Childhood Development. 

Then recently in 2023 I attended Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies and received AMI Montessori 3-6 Diploma in March of 2025. I have worked in various schools here on Hopi but was interested in children with learning disabilities, but mostly children with autism. 

Today, my mission is to reclaim our Hopi children’s education and honor our heritage by using a comprehensive cultural and academic curriculum to assist families in nurturing Hopi speaking, community minded, and academically strong students. I have been working to help create a culture of love and love for learning, unlearning, and relearning. 

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, staff and overall organization. 

Askawli 

Kiishynom