PORT ANGELES — A teacher who teaches Native culture in Port Angeles schools will be recognized tonight by Washington Education Association officials for her dedication of promoting cultural awareness.
Lower Elwha Klallam tribal member Jamie Valadez will be presented the 2004 Washington Education Association Human and Civil Rights Award in the area of cultural awareness during a ceremony in Federal Way.
Valadez was selected for the award by the 77,000-member Washington Education Association.
She teaches the Klallam language at Port Angeles High School and counsels Native American students.
Valadez, 44, said she is honored to receive the award.
“It is a milestone,” Valadez said Monday.
“Not very many languages are being taught in public schools, and for an area with our demographics — 97 percent white — it was quite an accomplishment to have the Klallam language taught in schools.”