Board of Trustees

Navajo Preparatory School, Inc. is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees. Members are elected from the Navajo Nation Agencies, in accordance with Navajo Nation Election Laws, and one member is appointed as a non-voting ad-hoc member.

Dr. Bernadette Todacheene

President, Northern Agency

Born to descendants of the fierce leader Zarcillos Largo, in New Mexico sector to the late Harriet and Clement Goodluck, Sr. of Shiprock, NM. Clans: Naneeshtzhii (Zuni) adopted by Tachiini (Red on Forehead) born for To’a’heegliini (Water-that-flows-together), Chei- taabahii (Edge Water), Nallie- Dibe tliizhii (Blacksheep).

Dr. Todacheene followed her parent's motto of “Go to School, Go to School”, attended courses from areas Colleges, and graduating from the University of New Mexico, with a BS of Elem. Ed., a minor of Bilingual Education, Doane College, attained a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. Also attended Fielding Graduate University, graduating with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Change.

Dr. Todacheene taught for Central Consolidated Schools (26yrs.) at Nataani Nez Elementary and Tsebitai Middle School, BIA 21st century grant administrator/acting Principal, Grant evaluator consultant, Lookahead Diabetes Research director, Shiprock Community Development Corp. community involvement, education representative on the Shiprock Chapter Planning commission.

Dr. Todacheene is married to Ronald Todacheene and has five children, seven grand children and one great grandson. She enjoys gardening, ranching, Arts and Crafts, sewing, reading, bowling, and out door walks with family members. Keeping updated on Educational developments in Bilingual education and new technology and business development.

Jennifer Redhouse

Vice President, Fort Defiance Agency

Jennifer Redhouse is from Navajo, New Mexico and her paternal family is from Lukachukai and Wheatfields, Arizona. Clans: Hashtl’ishnii (The Mud People), born for the To’aheedliinii (The Water Flow Together People), Maternal Grandfather- Dibe Lizhini (The Black Sheep People), and the Paternal Grandfather- Ta’neeszahnii (The Tangle People). Mrs. Redhouse was among the first cohort of high school students who walked through the doors of Navajo Preparatory in 1991. She is a proud Alumna of 1995.

Mrs. Redhouse earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in Human Resources from the University of New Mexico. Shortly after she continued to pursue higher education and earned a master's degree in public administration with a concentration in Administration Policy and Procedures. She is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management, the Human Resources Management Association of New Mexico, and the National Native American Human Resources Association.

Charley Long Sr.

Secretary/Treasurer, Eastern Agency

Charley Long, Sr. is Naakaii Dine’e, born for Ashįįhi'.  He is a lifelong resident of Coolidge, New Mexico, residing not far from his place of birth.  Mr. Long and his late spouse are the parents of eight children, and is proud of his numerous grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and four great, great grandchildren.  He began his formal education in a one room school house that was situated along the nearby railroad in an area referred to as South Guam, west of Coolidge.  He walked between two to six miles to attend class, depending on the location of his family’s seasonal residence.  Mr. Long later chose to continue his education and enrolled in what was known as the five-year program at the Intermountain School in Brigham City, Utah.  He attained his graduate equivalency degree in 1973.

Mr. Long’s humble upbringing, a vision for the betterment of his people and a strong work ethic is reflected in his many roles through the years as an involved community member, teacher, and leader.  In fact, Mr. Long has over thirty years of service and commitment to the Navajo Preparatory School since the institution’s first inception in 1991 as he was chosen as a Board of Trustee member to represent the Eastern Agency.  Mr. Long has a combined total of thirty-eight years of experience of school board membership.

Moreover, since 1974 until 1991, Mr. Long served his community of Thoreau Chapter and the Navajo Nation for seventeen years as a Council Delegate.  His vision and leadership as a member of many Navajo Council Standing Committees benefitted all Navajo people.  During his service as a council delegate, he also served as a Navajo Nation Board of Election Supervisor.

Even more so, Mr. Long served the people of McKinley County, New Mexico, and the Navajo Nation as Probate Judge for McKinley County government and as a member of the Dine Council of Elders for Peace. A program that addressed the occurrences of domestic violence throughout the local tribal communities in the Eastern Navajo Agency.

Most importantly, Mr. Long is the patriarch of a large family, some who reside alongside him in the area known locally as Tonaahakaad, where he continues his family’s ranching tradition.  Mr. Long along with his late wife have raised their children in a Christian home and continues to lead all his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren with Christian beliefs and teachings and to also respect the Dine’ beliefs and teachings.

Marlene Laughter

Member At Large, Western Agency

Marlene Laughter is from Chilchinbeto, Arizona and her paternal/maternal family is from Chilchinbeto, Arizona. Clans: Cliff Dweller; born for the Under his Sheaves. She is the ninth child of ten, parents are Paul and Jane Laughter of Chilchinbeto, AZ. Raised on the Navajo Nation in a family-oriented setting with the Navajo language as her first language. Her parents taught and emphasized the importance of culture, self-advocacy through both the traditional and western teachings.  Her immediate family consists of her common law spouse, Aaron Mark Begay, 2 sons, and 2 daughters. Ms. Laughter is a grandparent to her siblings’ kids and teacher mom to her students. 

Ms. Laughter has over thirty years of experience as a Special Education Teacher / Coordinator, covering FACE, grade school to High School. As a certified Navajo Special Education Teacher with 32 years of teaching and school administration work experience coupled with her master’s in special education she has 16 years of actual teaching in a classroom setting and 11 years of Special education administration work and 5 years in the regular education setting teaching middle school age students.  Her certifications include:  Standard Cross Categorical Special ED, K-12 with endorsements in the following: Gifted, K-12, Reading Specialist, K-12, and Structured English Immersion, K-12.   Ms. Laughter has worked with students and staff within schools on the Navajo Nation in the following capacities: Special Education Teacher, SPED Coordinator and Director of Special Services (FACE, SPED and G&T), SPED/GT Consultant and General Education Teacher.

Beyond her teaching and educational leadership, she also has served as a notary, Student Council Representative, Volleyball Coach, School board work at the local school as President and Vice President, an Interpreter in the Navajo language in meetings, and consultant work in SPED and GT.   She has been instrumental in leading teams and worked with various professional teachers, related service providers and principals during her career in education. Ms. Laughter attributes some great mentors who shared with her their passion for academic excellence and taught her good strong work ethnics.  Currently, Ms. Laughter works at Chilchinbeto Community School, Inc.  as the 6th grade teacher and serves on the Navajo Prep Board of Trustee representing Western Agency.  Furthermore, she enjoys spending time with family, cooking, playing Scrabble, watching movies and attending games to support her daughter games.

Ernestine Begay

Member At Large, Chinle Agency

Ernestine Begay is a dedicated public servant with 39 years of experience in various sectors, including social work, child protective services, and education. Originally from Blue Gap, AZ, she is the proud mother of three children and grandmother of four. Throughout her distinguished career, Ernestine has held numerous roles within the Navajo Nation, Tribal Schools, and related services, which have enriched her professional expertise and provided her with invaluable insights. With a deep commitment to contributing her knowledge and experience, Ernestine looks forward to both sharing her expertise and learning from her peers as a member of the board.

Bradley Redhouse

Ad-Hoc Member, Navajo Prep Student Senate

Bradley Redhouse is a young Diné man coming from the community of Dennehotso, Arizona, and was born in Tucson, Arizona. His clan is To’aheedliinii (Water Flows Together), born for Tó'dichiinii (Bitter Water); his maternal grandfather’s clan is Bit’ahnii (Within His Cover), and his paternal grandfather’s clan is Bit’ahnii (Within His Cover). Bradley Redhouse is a proud senior from the class of 2026 attending Navajo Preparatory School.

As the only son of parents both holding doctorate degrees, Bradley Redhouse has been encouraged to pursue higher education at a young age. With his older sister as his role model and a Navajo Preparatory Alumni, he follows in her footsteps by serving as the Student Ad-Hoc Board Member & Student Body President. His younger sister attends Navajo Preparatory School as a Junior while his baby sister plans to attend Navajo Preparatory School for her High School education.

Bradley plans to pursue higher education in the Arts & Humanities after graduation. While serving as Mr. Atsá Hastiin 24-25, Bradley aided in advocacy and outreach efforts for the school and his Diné heritage. Attending an International Baccalaureate school has shaped Bradley to appreciate his cultural beliefs and be open to other perspectives, with their unique contributions. Furthermore, he enjoys exploring the fiber arts, performing comedy skits, traveling to new locations, and spending time with his loving family.

If you have any additional questions, please contact April Chee (april.chee@navajoprep.com) at (505) 326-6571 ext. 142.