Our Team

Rebecca Goff, Co Founder - Executive Director


As Executive Director, and Co-Founder Rebecca Goff oversees the company, serves as primary client contact,  leads workshops, and presents at conferences, schools, and tribal council meetings.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota  and a Master of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Montana at Missoula. She has been invited to speak at conferences and present workshops in several states about linguistics and Native Teaching Aids.   She and her husband, Brandon, are avid board game players and strongly believe in the power of games to teach concepts, critical thinking and communication.

Brandon Goff, Co Founder, Creative Director

Brandon Goff is the co-founder and Creative Director of Native Teaching Aids. As Creative Director, he is the head of our graphic design, IT, and production teams. His main focus is on new educational product and material development. 

Brandon started as an independent contractor and web developer starting in 1995.  He co-founded Meta-Forge in 2001, a Minneapolis, MN based multimedia web development firm for advertising agencies and government contracts for educational software development.

Thomas Koefod - IT Manager

As head software engineer, Thomas develops and designs digital learning tools such as apps, websites, and games.

He has over 10 years of experience in coding, stays ontop of the fast changing world of web-app development, and enjoys board and video games!

 

Ana Alonso - Content Director

 Ana came into contact with Native Teaching Aids in 2016 while she was studying abroad at Salish Kootenai College. She has a keen interest in language revitalization and traditional ecological and holds a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Ana worked with Native Teaching Aids off and on while she was pursuing her undergraduate degrees, but was overjoyed to join our full time staff after completing her Masters of Science in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania in January 2023.

Ellie Costilla, Graphic Design Manager

As our Lead Graphic Designer, Ellie Costilla makes all of our products look amazing!  Ellie is responsible for designing our products, working with our communities to ensure the integrity of the design, and collaborating with designers in other communities to incorporate their work into the products.  

Ellie Costilla recieved her Associate of Arts degree in Graphic Design from the Salish Kootenai College.

Spencer Kittle, Lead App Developer

Spencer Kittle is a mobile app developer who works with Native Teaching Aids to create web and mobile apps focused on learning native languages. Spencer is, along with many other ethnicities, Metis-Cree, German, and Irish. Spencer holds an Associates Degree in Media Design from Salish Kootenai College. Spencer has found a passion in game and app development and looks forward to releasing his own games.

Tristen Teeple, Production Manager

As our Production Manager, Tristen oversees our physical product development.  He is responsible for printing, and assembling our games, posters, books, etc, and is in charge of our shipping department.  He is an avid photographer and videographer and assists Native Teaching Aids with the occasional video project! 


Interns, Collaborators and Alumni

Avery Old Coyote - Game Developer of Cards for Decolonization

Jesse DesRosier - Freelance Artist, and Blackfoot Language Consultant

Kaylene Big Knife - Freelance Graphic Designer

Mikalen Running Fisher - Linguistic Intern

Josiah Murphy - Linguistic Intern