Re: Future Teachers of Alaska

Posted by Sara on 8/11/06

More | Report Post

I live in Nome, Alaska. If you get in a boat and attempt to head
to Russia it's 35 miles across the Bering Strait.

They pay certified teachers, that are willing to substitute $150 a
day. They are constantly looking for full time seasonal subs that
will cover the vacants that come and go.

We have a scanner channel here that advertises job positions
through the school district. They are looking for a teachers aid,
full time, and the salary is anywhere from $22 to $31 an hour,
depending on experience.

I moved here from Florida in 2004 after getting married (husband
is a native) and subbed till I had our 1st child. I haven't
returned to the classroom since his birth. Will when he starts
school.

As for the cost of living, the average rent on a small 2bedroom is
$1300.00 a month (fuel/heating is paid by the owner) Gas for your
truck is $4.00 a gallon. Milk cost 2/$11.00 when on sale or $7.00
normal each. Diapers are $50 a case.

I think you get the point. If you are on your own, no family you
can get a small 1 bedroom for $800, don't expect room for more
than a full size bed. You can sub full time and average $3000 a
month/$45,000 a year.... full time sub(certified teacher).

The weather drops to 40 below and will snow for days on. I've
manage to have to CAT the drive 3 times a week in the middle of
February when it would drop 8 inches in one night. It happens.
The winters can be very windy and that addeds to the drop in the
temperature.

If you can't handle darkness then you don't want to take a chance
with a place like Nome. The heart of winter might give you 4
hours of dusk. On occassion you'll get a sunshine through.

NOW, don't take this as the entire state of Alaska. I live in
Delta, near Fairbanks 2 years before moving to Nome. That was
quite different than here. You had Fairbanks, which is a bigger
city within an hour and half drive. Up here in Nome you are stuck
in and you have to fly out.

My suggestions to people who are considering Alaska.... It's not
for people who can't handle the survival of the state. You can't
come here with the mentality that you'll live like it's paradise.
Summers are beautiful, but they don't last long. Winters are
hard, but they can have their rewards. Cost of living is very high.

I love it here, wouldn't trade the culture, people, and scenery
for anything. I'm not native, my hubby is. There's so much to
learn and explore from hunting (which does save you money) to
beading and crafts (which the natives are always willing to teach
you) There's a lot of learning here so don't expect to become a
teacher and be the only one teaching!!

It has it's rewards and I love it. Look forward to returning to
the classroom when my baby boy is old enough to enjoy it too.
Meanwhile, I'm a SAHM!

Goodluck in your decisions to relocate to Alaska. Just be sure
it's something you are willing to put time and effort into. They
don't call us "The Last Frontier" for nothing!

God Bless,
Sara


On 5/07/06, former bush AK teacher wrote:
> There are no $175,000 teaching jobs anywhere in the state of
Alaska. All school
> districts have their salary scales posted on district websites,
and while they pay more
> than the lower 48 the cost of living is much higher as well.
Some positions do involve
> traveling, but those teaching positions don't necessarily pay
anymore than any other
> teaching position. I taught in a district like this for 3 years.
As in any other school you
> get paid based on years of experience and degree.
>
>
>
> On 4/08/06, V. Chandler wrote:
>> Can you imagine the competition for a $175,000.00 teaching
>> job?!!!
>>
>>
>>
>> On 11/11/05, laststraw wrote:
>>> $175,000.000? Hey, everybody! Let's move to Alaska! Now.
>>> Today. Yesterday?? It sure is beautiful country up there.
>>> I like cooooooooooooooooooooooold weather and snow. Anybody
>>> want to go with me??
>>> Packin' my bags!
>>> laststraw
>>> On 11/10/05, Nichole wrote:
>>>> I have heard about teaching positions in Alaska that start
>>>> out at about 175k per year. I have heard that this entails
>>>> being flown via helicopter from one school to the next. Is
>>>> this true? And if so, where could I go to get more
>>>> information regarding this?

Posts on this thread, including this one

• Potential Alaska teacher, 11/10/05, by Nichole.
• Re: Potential Alaska teacher, 11/11/05, by laststraw.
• Re: I really don't think this is true....., 11/11/05, by where do people get this stuff?.
• Re: Potential Alaska teacher, 11/25/05, by Diane Van Dyke.
• Re: THE TRUTH About ALASKA, 1/09/06, by Melissa Hill.
• Re: THE TRUTH About ALASKA, 2/04/06, by Austin .
• Re: THE TRUTH About ALASKA, 3/26/06, by JTC...in the Bering Sea.
• Re: Potential Alaska teacher, 4/08/06, by V. Chandler.
• Re: Potential Alaska teacher, 4/08/06, by V. Chandler.
• Re: Potential Alaska teacher, 5/07/06, by former bush AK teacher.
• Re: Future Teachers of Alaska, 8/11/06, by Sara.