Candidate for Window Rock Unified School District, School Board Member ‐ Statement of 500 words
By Dinah D. Wauneka
My name is Dinah D. Wauneka, I was born and raised in Fort Defiance, Arizona. I am married to Jonah
Wauneka, we have two adult children they are Dr. Jacquelyne D. Wauneka and Darren O. Wauneka, and we have three grandchildren. We all attended Window Rock Unified School District in Fort Defiance,
Arizona. My immediate family all reside in Fort Defiance, Arizona my siblings are Katherine, Eva, Wilson, and Rodger.
My education includes attending elementary, middle, and high school within the Window Rock Unified
School District. I continued my education at Eastern Arizona College, in Thatcher, Arizona and Northern
Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona majoring in Elementary Education. At the present time, I am employed with the Navajo Nation, I serve as the Director of the Office of Miss Navajo Nation. My educational experience includes teaching Pre‐School at Ganado, Arizona, Greasewood, Arizona, and
Wide Ruins, Arizona. I taught 5‐7th grade at Cottonwood Day School, Tselani, Arizona. I have served as
Governing School Board member for Hunters Point Boarding School, Hunters Point, Arizona, also Fort
Defiance Agency School Board member, and a member of the Navajo Nation Executive School Board. I am also an active church member of the Window Rock United Methodist Church, Window Rock,
Arizona, also an active Fort Defiance Community Member.
At a young age I was influenced by my parents Wilson and Louva Dahozy, Sr. to become an educator.
My parents determination to raise a family on a farm and to build several business encouraged me to work hard for my family. In my family education has been a top priority. I have raised my children utilizing 4‐H and Rodeo as life’s lesson to compete. I have passed on to my children education begins in the home with parent involvement and faith in God. I have had excellent role models to help and guide me to achieve my goals.
Student safety is my top priority, whether it is bullying or drugs and alcohol our students deserve to be safe. Parents, teachers and staff need to be trained and cognizant on the dangers of bullying. Bullying can greatly affect the mind, body and well being of a student. If we work together and address the bullies and discipline them accordingly only then can our students feel safe. Drugs and
Page 2 Dinah D. Wauneka – statement alcohol greatly affect our great Navajo Nation it has no place in our school system. I support tough discipline regarding drugs and alcohol.
Window Rock Unified School District has (7) schools, how many of them have made AYP? As community members of Window Rock Unified School District we must hold key administrators accountable. Our children deserve the best education. We are not job employers for incompetent administrators. Our administrators must be held accountable. Gone are the days of unlimited spending and top level administrators traveling. Teachers must teach to standards and have high expectation for students.
Student must be ready to learn and work for it.
We must ask ourselves, how many Chief Manuelito Scholarship and Athletic Scholarships have been awarded to Window Rock High School students? Are we actively seeking scholarships to assist our students and athletes to college level performance?