Arizona schools chief names director of Indian education

PHOENIX (AP) – A member of New Mexico’s Laguna Pueblo has been named to oversee Native American education in Arizona.

Schools chief Diane Douglas says Nadine Groenig will help ensure students receive an education that embraces their needs.

Groenig has been with the Arizona Department of Education since 2002, working on several federal initiatives. She’s served on various committees advocating for Native Americans and is the founder of the nonprofit Southwestern Institute for the Education of Native Americans.

As director of Indian education, she’ll lead efforts to integrate tribal culture and history into classrooms.

Groenig says she wants Native American students to be well educated, healthy and confident, and have a strong sense of cultural identity.