About me
Emily Beenen is a white, cisgender woman from the Midwest who currently teaches 8th and 9th grade ELA at Albuquerque Academy. Previously, she spent 19 years teaching primarily 11th and 12th grade AP Literature and AP Language at the Native American Community Academy. She applied to NACA because of its progressive, student-focused approach to education. As a white ally, she advocates for the school’s mission and vision in all educational spaces: to provide a culturally responsive curriculum that centers Indigenous voices, prepare students with the critical skills needed for higher education (while acknowledging the system’s institutionalized racism), and foster an environment that supports students’ holistic wellness. Emily is married to Arlyn John, an Indigenous educator, and is the mother of two biracial teenagers. Their household is filled with spirited conversations about Indigenous education and Native literature. She is also an avid runner, biker, yogi, baker, eater, and, of course, reader.
