Loren Spears facts for kids

Lorén M. Spears is a special person who is part of the Narragansett and Niantic tribes. She is an educator, an artist, and a writer. She has also served on the Tribal Council for the Narragansett Tribe in Providence, Rhode Island, where she lives.

Lorén Spears has been a teacher for more than 20 years. She taught for 12 years in the Newport Public School system. There, she helped children in first and fourth grades who needed extra support. In 2010, she was honored as one of 11 "Extraordinary Women" in Rhode Island for her work in education.

Her Education Journey

Lorén Spears finished high school at Chariho High School in Richmond, Rhode Island. She then went to the University of Rhode Island. In 1988, she earned her first degree in elementary education.

Later, she continued her studies and earned a master's degree in education. She received this degree from the University of New England in 2002.

Her Work and Achievements

Besides teaching, Lorén Spears has worked hard to bring more Native history into schools. She believes it is important for students to learn about Indigenous cultures. She once shared that in elementary school, she read history books that said her people "didn't exist."

Because of this, she has spent her adult life making sure that Native history is taught correctly. She wants everyone to know the true stories of Indigenous peoples.

Leading the Tomaquag Museum

Lorén Spears is the Executive Director of the Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum in Exeter, Rhode Island. She also helps decide what goes into the museum's exhibits. The museum shares the history and culture of Native American people.

From 2003 to 2010, the museum was home to a special school called Nuweetooun School. "Nuweetooun" means "Our Home" in the Narragansett language. Lorén Spears started this school with help from the Narragansett community and many groups.

The Nuweetooun School

The Nuweetooun School was a private school for Native children from kindergarten to eighth grade. It offered a unique learning experience. Students learned about Native American traditions and culture.

They also studied regular school subjects like Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Health, and Science. The school focused on hands-on learning and working together. It was a place where Native children could learn in a way that honored their heritage.

In 2010, the school faced challenges. A court decision reduced the land available to the Narragansett Tribe. This meant less money for the school. Also, severe floods hit Rhode Island that year. These events caused the school to close temporarily, and it has not reopened since.

Other Important Roles

Lorén Spears has also been asked to serve on several important boards. Gina Raimondo appointed her to the Board of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. She also serves on the board for The Pell Center's Story in the Public Square. Additionally, she is a board member for the South County Tourism Council.

Her Published Works

Lorén Spears has shared her knowledge and stories through her writings.

• She co-wrote an article with Amanda Thompson for a journal called Collections. This article explained how the Tomaquag Museum works to decolonize its collections. This means making sure the museum's items are presented in a way that respects Native perspectives.
• She worked with other Narragansett tribal members and artist Holly Ewald to create a book. The book is called Through Our Eyes: An Indigenous View of Mashapaug Pond. It uses collage art, poetry, photography, and stamping to tell the Indigenous history of Mashapaug Pond.
• Lorén Spears wrote an essay titled "Pursuit of Happiness: An Indigenous View on Education." This essay was published in a book called The Pursuit of Happiness: An Indigenous View: The Narragansett People Speak (2005).
• A part of this essay, along with one of her poems and poems by her young students, was also published in Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Indigenous Writing from New England (2014).

Awards and Recognitions

Lorén Spears has received several awards for her dedication and hard work.

• In June 2005, she was honored with the Feinstein Salute to Teachers, Teacher of the Month award.
• In 2006, she received the Native Heritage Gathering Award.
• In 2010, she was recognized as one of eleven "Extraordinary Women" in Rhode Island. This award celebrated her important contributions to teaching and education.