03/17/2026
Teacher Spotlight❤️💛
Donovan is one of our Salish (Nxamxcin) language teachers but also a proud father and lifelong learner. Although he had been connected to the language from a young age, he began seriously studying the language in 2017. He shares that learning the language is a lifelong journey and that he will always consider himself a student of it. Donovan credits his grandparents for instilling the importance of culture and language early in his life. They taught him that culture is deeply tied to the seasons and to living with intention and respect for time and tradition. Those teachings continue to guide his work today. His path into teaching was not originally planned. Before entering education, Donovan worked as a laborer and eventually found himself drawn into teaching by chance. What began unexpectedly has become a calling. Through both implicit memory and intentional learning, he now helps students understand not only how to speak the language, but why it matters. For Donovan, teaching nxamcin is about helping students understand who they are and where they come from. As he often shares with them, when you know who you are, "no one can take that from you or tell your story for you."
He also reminds students that the dialect they are learning is endangered, with only a small number of fluent elder speakers remaining. A dream he once had about the language declining continues to motivate him to do everything he can to pass it on to the next generation. One of his proudest moments as a teacher is hearing students speak the language outside of the classroom, taking it home, sharing it with family, and trying even when they only know a few words. For Donovan, each effort is part of reclaiming identity and recognizing the power of speaking a language that is older than recorded history. He hopes students will continue carrying the language forward and teaching others, ensuring that it lives on.
We are proud to have Donovan as part of our school district. Through his teaching, he has created meaningful memories, built strong relationships with students, and continues to serve as a positive role model in our community.
