Lela Schwitzer is excited to be in the TTAL program at UWM so that she can earn her Director of Instruction license. With this new knowledge and license, she will have the opportunity to guide school districts in fully implementing Wisconsin Act 31 as it was intended. As a mentee of Alan Caldwell, Wisconsin Act 31’s primary author and fellow Menominee, Lela advocates for the teaching of American Indian history to ALL Wisconsin students.  

Lela was one of 13 Native women who received their undergraduate education degrees with UW-Oshkosh through the U.S. Department of Education Indian Education Grant in 2006. She also earned a Master of Science in Education: Reading Specialist with UW-O in 2013, as well as a 2004 Bachelors in Management from Holy Family College (formerly Silver Lake College), and a 2002 Associates Degree in Business Management from the College of Menominee Nation.  She currently serves as a 1st grade teacher/AGR Math Coach K-1 at Bonduel Elementary School and has taught 4th-6th grades in the Shawano and Gresham districts. As a wife and mother of three adult sons, she continues to find joy in her family and learning new things.