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.

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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.

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Jennifer Redhouse

Vice President, Fort Defiance Agency

Jennifer Redhouse is a proud alumna of Navajo Preparatory School (Class of 1995), having been part of the historic first cohort of high school students to walk through its doors in 1991. Originally from Navajo, New Mexico, her paternal roots extend to Lukachukai and Wheatfields, Arizona. She is Hashtl’ishnii (The Mud People), born for To’aheedliinii (The Water Flow Together People). Her maternal grandfather’s clan is Dibi Łizhiní (The Black Sheep People), and her paternal grandfather’s clan is Ta’neeszahnii(The Tangle People).

Mrs. Redhouse brings extensive human resources leadership and administrative expertise to the Board. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources and a Master of Public Administration in Administrative Policy and Procedures, both from the University of New Mexico. For nearly four years, she has served as the Human Resources Professional and Adjudicator for a tribally controlled grant school. Her professional credentials include a New Mexico Public Education Official School Business License, Tribal Human Resources Professional (THRP) I & II certifications, and active memberships in the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the HR Management Association of New Mexico, the National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA), and New Mexico Association of School Business Officials.

In addition to her public service, Mrs. Redhouse co-owns and operates Spear Electric LLC alongside her husband, Aaron Begay (Navajo Prep Class of 1993). Deeply grounded in Diné culture and language, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, sewing, baking, hiking, and assisting on the family ranch. Jennifer and Aaron are the proud parents of three daughters and grandparents to two grandchildren.

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

 

 

 

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Octavia Redhouse

Ad-Hoc Member, Navajo Prep Student Senate

Bio coming soon

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