For the first time, Tempe high schools will offer classes to teach the Yaqui language to students.
The Tempe Union High School District Governing Board voted to approve the curriculum addition during its Sept. 21 meeting after much discussion between members of the district and the Pascua Yaqui tribe. The tribe has been in the area since 1898 when many fled their original home of Sonora, Mexico. They now predominantly reside in the nearby Town of Guadalupe and many TUHSD students count themselves as tribal members.
“It is important to our district to offer courses of study that our students are passionate about and that they want to take during their time in high school,” said Steve Threadgill, Director of Instructional Services for the district. “We also want to provide meaningful content to our students that supports them in the community that they live in.”
