My class will be reading the story the Gingerbread Man and doing a project with it. I am asking if anyone would mind assisting with this... if you would like to please email me at [email removed].
Project letter: My name is the Gingerbread Man, my friend in CLass 2H was reading a story about me and i jumped out of the storybook to visit you. My friend at school is wondering where I have run to. Please help them by sending them a picture postcard showing them the area where you live. This postcard will be posted on a large map of the world outside of my classroom. This will help the children by showing them how different parts of the world look. I know my friends will enjoy hearing from you and learning where I have run! Thank you for your help! Got to go! The Gingerbread Man
** If you would like to help my class please email me at [email removed].
Found a fantastic new chapter-book series for ages 7-9 that the kids in my class are thrilled about. It's called the Incredible Journey Books and it has fast-paced worldly adventures filled with geography facts. The plots are interesting and the series has done the trick to get my third-grade class interested in exploring the world map. The books have a great site that has an Africa unit along with puzzles to go with each book. Go to [link removed].
We are finally going to make a dream come true and visit Alaska this summer. We have been looking a couple of different itineraries and are trying to decide which is a better choice. One starts in Fairbanks, travel by train to Denali, Anchorage, and Seward and a bus to Moose Pass. This trip is 11 nights. The other is a cruise on the Inside Passage. Need suggestions and recommendations by those who are familiar with either of these itineraries.
On 12/31/07, Heading there this summer wrote: > We are finally going to make a dream come true and visit > Alaska this summer. We have been looking a couple of > different itineraries and are trying to decide which is a > better choice. One starts in Fairbanks, travel by train > to Denali, Anchorage, and Seward and a bus to Moose Pass. > This trip is 11 nights. The other is a cruise on the > Inside Passage. Need suggestions and recommendations by > those who are familiar with either of these itineraries.
If you don't have to be part of a specific tour, I would recommend that you take the train from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Then, you could rent a car and drive to Whittier, Seward, and Homer. There are a lot of motorhome rentals in Anchorage also, if that would interest you. If this is your only trip to Alaska, you really should see the inside passage too. An economical way of doing this is to take the ferry. It's the same beautiful scenery, you just don't get the high luxurious service of a cruise ship. Check out their website: [link removed]
If you have more specific questions, you may email me.
On 12/31/07, AK teacher wrote: > On 12/31/07, Heading there this summer wrote: >> We are finally going to make a dream come true and visit >> Alaska this summer. We have been looking a couple of >> different itineraries and are trying to decide which is a >> better choice. One starts in Fairbanks, travel by train >> to Denali, Anchorage, and Seward and a bus to Moose Pass. >> This trip is 11 nights. The other is a cruise on the >> Inside Passage. Need suggestions and recommendations by >> those who are familiar with either of these itineraries. > > If you don't have to be part of a specific tour, I would recommend that you take > the train from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Then, you could rent a car and drive to > Whittier, Seward, and Homer. There are a lot of motorhome rentals in > Anchorage also, if that would interest you. If this is your only trip to Alaska, you > really should see the inside passage too. An economical way of doing this is to > take the ferry. It's the same beautiful scenery, you just don't get the high > luxurious service of a cruise ship. Check out their website: > [link removed];
I've been thinking about making a change, but I have some questions and concerns.
Are contract negotiations going on for Mat-Su yet? I tried looking it up on the internet, but I don't see any info about it. At ASD we have to fight for our contracts. I don't know if Mat-Su is the same way. I'm wondering what their past history is on this.
I'm sure the supply of elementary teachers is much larger than the demand. Do you know if there is a large enough pool of local teachers seeking jobs, or if Anchorage teachers have a chance of getting in?
When do they typically open up jobs and hire? Are there some schools that tend to have more openings than others?
Are there any elementary schools that I should stay away from?
What kind of professional development is offered? We have so many opportunities with UAA and APU being right here.
I will be taking a cut on the pay schedule, as I see they only offer 2 years of experience. I see that there is a 0 step. Would I start at a step of 2 or 3?
What math and reading curriculum is used in the regular (non charter) schools?
What are typical class sizes? Do teachers usually get choice at which grade they teach, or is there a lot of movement each year?
Anybody have any other pros/cons of moving out there and teaching? I live a pretty quiet lifestyle (don't go out much and rarely go to restaurants, so that's not a big factor).
How easy is it to get an elementary teaching position in Alaska? What are the advantanges and disadvantages to teaching in Alaska? Thanks for any help or hints.
This is my fifth year teaching Kindergarten. I just mailed in my application for a Alaska license and now looking at the next step in the process. I'm ready for a change. Alaska really caught my eye and I think I'm up for the challenge. I have checked the website and noticed the job fairs. You've answered my next question about how important they are. What are the negatives in Alaska school systems? Thanks!
On 1/08/08, ASD primary teacher wrote: > Alaska is a huge state, with most of our school districts off the road system. > Are you a first year teacher, or do you have experience? What do you teach? > > You should be licensed and highly qualified (probably will mean passing scores > on a Praxis test) in AK before you try to get a job. > > Most likely you would be able to get a job here, but you would have to make > sure that the setting is suitable for you. I would recommend going to one of the > ATP job fairs. Check out the website for a lot more info on our school districts, > job postings, and job fairs. > > The cost of living is high here too, so our salaries really aren't that competitive > with other districts in the Lower 48. > > The retirement for new teachers is pretty crappy too. Hopefully our governor > can get that turned around though. > > Why are you interested in Alaska? > > Check out the website and ask more questions. > > > > >
I think the negatives totally depend on your personality.
The biggest negative would be the cost to travel outside of the state.
The retirement could also be a big factor for you. Oh, and new employees have to submit 45 minute videos of their teaching within the first 2 years of teaching here.
Some places have months of darkness. Some places are very cold. Many areas are in the state are -10 to -20 or colder right now. In Anchorage we have been in the single digits to low teens. Southeast Alaska has temps in the 30's right now.
If you decide to teach in a village, you will probably be assigned a roommate. You need to be pretty easy going. If you have a very active social life and like to go out frequently, then don't even think of moving to a village. Most don't have restaurants. You probably won't have a vehicle. The stores have minimal amounts of food and are quite expensive. You will probably have food shipped in from Anchorage or Seattle. You aren't allowed to have as much weight in a small plane, and overage charges are pretty high. Most people ship their stuff up parcel post. You will need to bring all your basic household needs (you will have a bed and maybe a couch). Mail can be slow, so you need to bring the essentials you need for a week or more. Medical issues can be a concern too. Sometimes you can get stuck in the village for a few days due to weather. Most have a clinic with basic services.
Some villages are not safe, but most are, as long as you aren't wandering around at night all alone. In many places you can feel pretty safe leaving your doors unlocked.
There are drug, alcohol, and child abuse problems throughout the state. Suicide rates are much higher up here. In the villages, a small percentage of kids graduate. Kids can act like they totally hate you all day in school, and then they are your best friend when you are walking around the village after school or on weekends.
Many villages are dry (no alcohol allowed).
Avoiding the North Slope Borough School District would be wise for right now. I'm sure you've read the posts. You don't want to be part of politics and hostility.
Of course, our state is huge, so each region is a little different, so what may be true of one village, may not be true of another.
Anchorage is a city, but folks still complain of missing certain restaurants and stores that are in the Lower 48. Our population is about 280,000. The state population is about 700,000.
Kindergarten teachers have a half day assistant in Anchorage.
There are many positives of living up here. Right now I have a moose in my yard.
If you want to go to the job fair in Anchorage, there are several youth hostels (one about two blocks from the Capt. Cook Hotel). That will save you a lot of money. It's pretty run down, but seems safe, and there will probably be a few other job fair people there.
Hello all, My husband has been stationed to Ft. Richardson. My sons (7 and 9) and I will be coming as well. I am Pk-12 certified as a counselor and I am currently in VA. How are counselor's utilized in that area and would going thru the website be a good way to find a job? We won't be arriving until July 08. Is ASK the only school system that serves that area? Thanks-J
The Anchorage School District is where you will want to look. I doubt you would want to commute to Mat-Su. The highway can get really slow when it's icy.
ASD covers from Chugiak to Girdwood.
There is a school right at Fort Rich, but I don't think it's that easy finding counseling jobs. Check out the ASD website for current openings.
[link removed]
You can also fill out the application on the online application link.
Hi all. I'm a former "Brat" and am now a grad student working toward certification. I went to FGJH in the mid 80s and was wondering if anyone from then could give me some insight into how students have changed over the last two decades. I am at an Army post now, married to one, and am curious how to reach today's "brats". I look forward to your assistance and to maybe touch base.
I had an interview with someone from the North Slope School District about a job in Barrow. Since I live in Pennsylvania, I've been doing my share of research about living in teaching in Alaska.
Are all the things people saying on here still true? I've talked to teachers who say they really enjoyed teaching there, but then I hear such negative things about the superintendent. Can anyone help me and let me know the scoop?
Does anyone in Alaska know anything about the National Postcard exchange. I can't find information on it and register my class. It would be very helpful if you could provide me with any feedback. As i understand the exchange is pre- organize so teachers won't have to worry about making time to contact people and that would be a big relief for me.
Thanks.
Nance
On 3/15/08, browerville wrote: > Pam, I wish you well if you decide to go to the Slope. Life up here is an adventure. > The students are absolutely fun. There is really nothing I would like to say about > the superintendent that I would be willing to put into writing. > > > On 2/27/08, Pam wrote: >> Hello, >> >> I had an interview with someone from the North Slope >> School District about a job in Barrow. Since I live in >> Pennsylvania, I've been doing my share of research about >> living in teaching in Alaska. >> >> Are all the things people saying on here still true? I've >> talked to teachers who say they really enjoyed teaching >> there, but then I hear such negative things about the >> superintendent. Can anyone help me and let me know the >> scoop?
Wait until the superintendent is gone. I'm sure you can find a suitable job elsewhere before then. Barrow is a much larger village than most, so has more activities available, and Alaska Air flies out of there, which is a big plus. I think you could really enjoy your experiences up there once there is a change in politics. It's hard to not accept the first job that comes your way. If you do accept the job, please write in here and let us know your experiences.
On 12/31/07, Heading there this summer wrote:
> We are finally going to make a dream come true and visit
> Alaska this summer. We have been looking a couple of
> different itineraries and are trying to decide which is a
> better choice. One starts in Fairbanks, travel by train
> to Denali,...See More