Dr. Mark W Sorensen, President

Mark W. Sorensen has been deeply involved in community based Native American education for over 40 years, as the lead administrator of Navajo schools and Native -led non-profits serving Navajo, Hopi and Apache students and families. Dr. Sorensen is co-founder and Board President of the STAR (Service To All Relations) School, the first off-grid, solar and wind powered school in the U.S., located near the southwestern edge of the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona. For the past 18 years, STAR students have learned how to garden in the several greenhouses at the school that produce many vegetables that are served to students and community members. Dr. Sorensen also is President of Painted Desert Demonstration Projects which owns and operates the community well and several water filtration projects designed to bring clean, safe drinking water to the people of nearby tribal communities. Dr. Sorensen has a long time commitment to community health as evidenced by his starting a school based primary care clinic over 30 years ago and by his efforts to create a telemedicine office in a newly renovated building at the community well.

Pauline Butler, Member

Dine' Language & Culture Instructor and Indigenous Culinary Instructor for 8 years at The STAR School but affiliated for 17 years. Navajo language proficiency with strong community and cultural ties to the tri-communities of Leupp, Birdsprings, and Tolani Lake, Arizona. A resident of Northern Arizona for most of her life with a stint in the United States Marine Corps. Educational background in Anthropology and Archaeology, having worked as a Traditional Cultural Properties Researcher for state and in the private sector. Started serving on The STAR School Board in October 2017. Current projects include instruction of middle school students in Dine' Language and Culture through immersion and place-based instruction, Participant in the Native Language Grant, and helping implement grant measures to increase Dine' (Navajo) Language use in our students through immersion practices and cultural practices.

Evelyn McCabe, Member

Evelyn McCabe is a retired schoolteacher, STAR School Board member, and Navajo peacemaker from the Ta'neeszahnii and Hashk'aahadzohi clans. A mother of two and grandmother of four, she helped establish a family-centered school culture, even assisting with early maintenance. She promotes Navajo Peacemaking to strengthen relationships, foster harmony, and support students, families, staff, and community well-being.