Living the Dream

Posted on 5/25/09

To All Prospective Alaska Teachers,

Teaching in Alaska can be an amazing and rewarding
experience. However, it does have drawbacks. Uneducated,
unethical school board members are just one of the
obstacles. You also have a quagmire of tribal, local, and
state politics to negotiate. Beware the politics! Add to
all of this the high expenses involved in operating 'bush'
schools and the inevitable corruption that occurs when a
lot of money is spent with very little oversight... the
children often pay a heavy price.

Don't despair, there are also some incredibly focused
districts out there that really have it together. They
value their teachers and will move heaven and earth to help
you to be successful.

You are now thinking "How do I find one of these wonderful
districts?" That's a tough one to answer, but I believe
that teacher turnover is one of the keys. If a district is
experiencing high turnover it is often an indication that
something is amiss. I can give you the following advice
when seeking a job.

1.) Good teachers are a commodity. When you are being
interviewed by a school district, remember it is a two-way
street. You are also interviewing them.

2.) Ask about teacher turnover. Be sure to clarify teacher
turnover versus staff turnover. Some districts like to
provide the illusion of stability by including support
staff in their calculations.

3.) Watch the ATP website. If teachers are flocking away
from a district you should ask questions.

4.) With all of this in mind, high turnover can also be a
result of a cadre of teachers that have been there for
years and are now retiring. Ask questions!

Also keep in mind that a troubled district will eventually
hit bottom and it will then need good teachers more than
ever to pull it back up.

Cheers and happy hunting!

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