DELANA SMITH, Ed. D.

P.O. BOX 760

Red Lake, MN 56671
(218) 368-8179 

delana.smith80@gmail.com

EDUCATION
St. Cloud State University St. Cloud, MN
Doctorate May 2019
Major: Educational Administration and Leadership
Licensure:  K-12 Principal March 2021
                   Superintendent In Progress

Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN

Master of Science Degree May 2015
Major: Education
Graduate Certificate
Major: Online Teaching

Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN

Bachelor of Science Degree May 2009
Major: Early Childhood Education
Licensure: Pre-K –3

Northwest Technical College Bemidji, MN

Associate Degree September 2003
Major: Child Care and Education

Osseo Sr. High School Osseo, MN

High School Diploma June 1999

EXPERIENCE RELATED TO TEACHING

Equity Coordinator/District Dean of Students, D.R. School District, Deer River, MN Present
 Provide an Indigenous lens to the school district.
 Collaborate with the local tribe to build better communication between the school
district and the tribe.
 Develop trainings for staff development.
 Serve on the Superintendent’s cabinet.
 Collaborate and work with building principals.
Assistant Professor, Bemidji State University Fall 2019-May 2021
 Prepare curriculum for students in the Professional Education program.
 Advise and monitor student progress toward degree completion.
 Monitor student learning.
  Work with department faculty to improve the education program.
 Serve as the chairperson of the Professional Education program.
 Serve on the Indigenous Advisory Council to the BSU President.
 Serve on a subcommittee to create an Indigenous studies course requirement for all students.
 Monitor and observe student teachers during field placements.
 Develop online learning tools for student learning. 
 Present cultural teachings to campus staff and faculty. 
Adjunct Instructor, Leech Lake Tribal College, Cass Lake, MN Fall 2016- Present
 Implement online curriculum to students in the Early Childhood Program.
 Monitor students’ progress in the online process. 
 Meet with students as needed.
 Work with Student Services and faculty.
 Work with the local Head Start program to develop practicum opportunities for students.
 Redesign curriculum to improve the early childhood program.
 Collaborate with the local Head Start program to teach CDA curriculum to the program’s new
employees.  
Director of Extended Learning and Continuing Education/Faculty, Red Lake Nation College, Red Lake, MN 2017
 Design and implement a new learning management system.
 Redesign First Year Experience course to help students with their first semester of college.
 Align outcomes with the curriculum for all courses offered at RLNC.
 Create Policy and Procedure Manual to meet all HLC, BIE, and other requirements to assist in the
accreditation process. 
 Teach PSEO students from Red Lake High School.
Student Success Counselor, Red Lake Nation College. Red Lake, MN 2016-2017
 Serve as the lead Career Development staff member to direct students towards a four-year
educational program or job placement. 
 Coordinate and lead the Success Mentor Program, (Take a Student to Lunch) program. 
 Provide individual and group student success training and counseling on life coping skills and
problem-solving skills.   
 Maintain complete student files on all students and attempt to reach out to all students for
counseling and support. 
 Cooperate with and assist all RLNC staff with HLC Accreditation tasks and duties.
 Participate on the HLC Accreditation Committee.
 Manage the monthly Happy Birthday cards sent to all students, staff, faculty, and Tribal Council
leaders from the college staff.
 Teach at least one class at RLNC per semester.  
Teacher, Red Lake School District #38, Red Lake, MN 2009-2016
 Design and implement lesson plans based on MN ECIPs, Creative Curriculum, and Little
Treasures Curriculum.
 Assist with Early Childhood Family Education.
 Supervise paraprofessionals assigned to my classroom.
 Organize bus routes for my classroom and Kindergarten Jump Start program.
 Report student observations in TS Gold Reporting System.
 Generate student reports through TS Gold Reporting System.
 Assist in planning for ECFE, Early Childhood reports
 Assist Special Education staff.
 Assist in pre-school screening.
 Get parents involved in the school district.
Infant/Toddler Student Teaching, Campus Childcare, Bemidji, MN   Fall 2008
 Assist teachers at campus childcare.
 Design and implement lesson plans developmentally appropriate for toddlers.
 Generate daily reports for staff and parents.
Infant/Toddler Practicum, Campus Childcare, Bemidji, MN                     Spring 2008
 Bring projects for toddlers to Campus Childcare.
  Assist teachers with the toddlers.
Cultural Teaching Internship, Lincoln High School, Thief River Falls, MN 2005-2006
 Teach students about Ojibwe Culture and History.
 Choreograph cultural dances for students.
 Hold rehearsals for students. 
 Assist Choir Director in performances.
 Chaperone while on tour.
 Work with musicians and performers from the Jewish and African cultures.
 Supervise drum group.
Teacher, Red Lake Head Start, Red Lake, MN 2001-2007
 In charge of the food program with the state.
 Submit all food data and reports for food reimbursement from the state. 
 Assist director in developing a master plan for the head start program. 
 Assist the director on the GABI reporting system for the National Head Start.
 Assist with the budgets and other reports for the state and Red Lake Tribal council.
Dance Team Volunteer, Red Lake Middle School, Red Lake, MN 2000-2002
 Assist coaches at practices.
 Assist in choreographing the dances for the students.
 Attend and run practices when coaches were unavailable.
 Assist in all performances.

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Sales Associate, Vanity, Bemidji, MN      Summer 2003
 Assist customers with purchases.
 Design displays.
 Assist in store cleanliness.
 Assist in making bank deposits.
Office Assistant, Division of Rehabilitation Services, Red Lake, MN 2001-2002
 Various duties at the Red Lake Head Start Program.
Cashier, Beaulieu’s Store, Red Lake, MN 2000-2002
 Assist customers.
 Maintain a clean store. 
 Balance cash and till print out.
Credit Operator, Value Vision, Eden Prairie, MN      Winter 2000
 Assist customers with questions.
 Add reports into the computer system. 
 Release and verify customer orders.
 
ACTIVITIES AND RECOGNITION
Other: Miss Indian World 2004                        
  Miss Red Lake Nation 1998-1999
Motivational Speaker and Youth Leader/Teacher, Montana Native Youth Leadership Academy,
summer 2005-2010
President, BSU American Indian Alumni Chapter 2012-2016
Board Member, Region 2 American Indian Anishinabe Art Initiative Council 2012-Present
Board Member, BSU American Indian Advisory Council, 2016-Present
Chairperson, Bemidji State University AIAC Scholarship Golf Tournament 2013, 2014
Blandin Reservation Community Leadership Program 2017
Delta Kappa Gamma, MU Chapter of International Society for Key Women Educators 2020-Present
                         
College: Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society
Dean’s List
Council of Indian Students
 Inducted Member St. Cloud State University Chapter National Society of Leadership and Success
2018
St. Cloud State University Outstanding American Indian Graduate Student of the Year 2017,
2018, and 2019

INTERESTS

I enjoy music, dancing, beading, sewing, traveling, art, creating new things, my culture, and the
outdoors. 

REFERENCES

Available upon request.