Alaska Teachers Chatboard

Join Teachers.Net

Chatboards

Recent Groups

AK Teachers

MEMBERS

3 Members

+ Join Group

Pinned Posts

ALLAll Teachers

Teachers.Net LIVE CHAT Support group - Tues eve!

Featured Jobs

Full-timeMontessori Teacher

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

TemporaryTeachers, rural schools

Peace River North School District

Full-timeHead Teacher: 2nd/3rd Grades – Mills College Children’s School

Mills College

Teaching Jobs on Teachers.Net

Featured Job special only $39!

https://teachers.net/jobs

Become a Teachers.Net sponsor!

Alaska Teachers Chatboard

Hey, Alaska, you get Palin back!!!

by lj/CA

Nov 5, 2008

Well, if you want her. I think she is convinced she is a new media darling instead of a has-been. I actually feel sorry for all of you Alaskans up there. Just like I feel sorry for us Califourneeans who have to put up with Schwarzenegger. Good Luck!

Comment

(7)

report post

view previous comments

IUFan Sorry, you're wrong! I happen to be fortunate enough to live in a very conservative community. Almost half of my students are Amish. I am open and honest with them, and it has worked for twenty-seven years!

On 12/04/08, AK Teacher wrote: > Sorry..but i call the BS card on that. I don't believe you tell your > students that at all. &g...See More

Dec 5, 2008

report post

Creed Wow. I hope Barbara is NOT a teacher. She (or he?) cannot spell nor punctuate correctly. Yet she is "Enlightened".

On 12/04/08, IUFan wrote: > Nope! It isn't the trees that are evil! They do provide oxygen for > us, but you are fogetting that they also provide building materials, > heating supplies, paper for standardized tests, a...See More

Sep 24, 2011

report post

Re: Considering Relocating

by teach1234

Nov 7, 2008

I've taught in Alaska for 5 years and it is a hard and rewarding experience. However, the only district large enough and with sufficient turnover to employ 2 music teachers are going to be Mat-Su and Anchorage. Anchorage is, in my opinion, a rude town, as used in the classical sense of wilderness. There are no operas. A couple good theatre companie...See More

Comment

report post

What is the demand for teachers in Alaska?

by Ann

Nov 9, 2008

Hello, after doing a web search I came across this site. I'm a 47 y/o mother and grandmother who is starting her degree to become a teacher. I'm interested in teaching only grades K - 4th. Is there much of a demand for teachers in Alaska? What is the starting pay for teachers fresh out of school up there? My husband is retired and we very much desi...See More

Comment

(2)

report post

ann Addition to post. I am just starting my education and it will be at least 4 years before I'll be able to even consider working as a teacher. Realizing things will change in the course of 4 years can someone respond or email me what the min education requirements are for a teacher to be certified? (Just to start) Is there a teaching program at the U...See More

Nov 9, 2008

report post

Mark Harnum On 11/09/08, ann wrote: > Addition to post. I am just starting my education and it will > be at least 4 years before I'll be able to even consider > working as a teacher. Realizing things will change in the > course of 4 years can someone respond or email me what the > min education requirements are for a teacher to be certified? >...See More

Nov 11, 2008

report post

Scottish Physical Educaiton Teacher

by Mhairi

Nov 11, 2008

I am looking for a teaching job for the next school session. I am currently teaching in Edinburgh, Scotland. My partner is coming to Anchorage with his oil company and I would like to come also. Doe anyone know of any possibilities for me. I am 28 with and I have been teaching for 1 year. I have 4 years of Marketing and Events experience behind me ...See More

Comment

report post

Teaching in Alaska

by A. Grund

Nov 13, 2008

Good Evening-

I am a junior in college at this time and I would really like to teach in Alaska when I finish student teaching. I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what I would have to do. I am getting my licensure in Minnesota and I would also need to know if I have to get any other extra training. My degree would be in Element...See More

Comment

report post

Re: Teaching in Alaska

by teach1234

Nov 23, 2008

One of the great things about Alaska is you don't need to complete your student teaching in the conventional sense to get a teacher's certificate. Alaska now has a 3-level teaching certification system that makes a lot of sense, at least in my opinion. If you have completed a bachelors, passed the Praxis I and are enrolled in a teaching program (th...See More

Comment

(2)

report post

ABC teacher It's my turn, folks...this is my third year in AK, mostly teaching in the bush, NSBSD, Tanana and now in the Gateway School district in a small village where the kids do not respond to traditional teaching methods. Their SBA scores are so low, lowest in the state and this is the sixth year that they have not made AYP. I started this year with new p...See MoreIt's my turn, folks...this is my third year in AK, mostly teaching in the bush, NSBSD, Tanana and now in the Gateway School district in a small village where the kids do not respond to traditional teaching methods. Their SBA scores are so low, lowest in the state and this is the sixth year that they have not made AYP. I started this year with new principal, who moved here from some Washington DC suburb, and no experience as administrator. We clashed instantly and now I am looking for a job...signed agreement to end of my contract over this personality conflict. There was no consideration for the children and the fact that it takes many months if not years to make relationships work. This district has a very low morale and makes decisions that keep their own adminsitrative pockets full of money. They pited this rookie administrator to get me out and now this is where I ended. My old job is up for grabs but I will warn you that this administration are evil ones and make the teachers do extraordinary tasks to keep the school going...but no money for vocational training, just big bucks for teaching these kids to perform like uptown kids when it is very difficult to even get them to read. There have been no high school graduates for the past four years, only a hand full of certificates of attendance. I don't know why the state doesn't take over in situations like this, when its obvious that the administration can do what they want to keep their jobs viable and no consideration given to the welfare of the students and their future.

> One of the great things about Alaska is you don't need to > complete your student teaching in the conventional sense > to get a teacher's certificate. Alaska now has a 3-level > teaching certification system that makes a lot of sense, > at least in my opinion. If you have completed a bachelors, > passed the Praxis I and are enrolled in a teaching program > (think online) you can obtain a 3-year non renewable > certificate. This qualifies you to teach in Alaska. You > then have 3 years to finish the teacher prep program. The > great thing about this method is you can work under > contract, making money, while doing your student teaching > at the same time. This route is a bit rougher but exposes > teachers to situations and awarenesses that they'll never > obtain under the staid guise of an instructor. I had a > couple rough first years, but I feel I am a much more > seasoned and effective instructor because these unfiltered > experiences. There are many jobs available in Rural Alaska > and the administrators are very willing to take a chance > on an untried, untested teacher. I know--I was one of > those teachers. Right now the North Slope borough has a > starting wage of 50k. It's also a real hard place to > work; read some of the experiences on this site; but there > are many other districts as well. Alaska is the most > incredible experience and I would never advise a dedicated > person to plod through the usual student teaching career > arc. Get out and start teaching!

Dec 14, 2008

report post

Sympathetic in Alaska I am not going to make light of your situation. I have been in Alaska for several years and I too am looking for a job again.

I left my last job because of personality issues with the incoming administrator. I knew there would be conflicts and gracefully bowed out.

However, I jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. I am ...See More

Jan 25, 2009

report post

Alaska teaching qualifications

by teach1234

Nov 23, 2008

Also required for the 5 year renewable professional certificate (but not for the 3 year non renewable) are two 3 credit classes: Alaska Studies (history of Alaska) and a multicultural class. If you can complete these as electives or as part of your history requirement, you won't have to take them later on. The University of Alaska offers these cour...See More

Comment

report post

Pen pal Project

by Elizabeth Snook

Dec 2, 2008

Dear Teachers, I am a teacher in South Carolina and am looking to set up a Pen Pal project with a class in Alaska. I was particularly trying to set it up with the schools in the North Borough district but have not had much success. I teach high school resource and we already have our package ready to send off! We just need a class that is intereste...See More

Comment

report post

Ware the Slope

by Bushed

Dec 13, 2008

I appreciate the previous poster's positive approach but having been a Bush teacher for half a dozen years, teachers have a responsibility to alert each other to unhealthy and/or dangerous locations and situations. The North Slope district raised its starting wage to 50k, the primary motivation being the high turnover ratio. I have personal knowled...See MoreI appreciate the previous poster's positive approach but having been a Bush teacher for half a dozen years, teachers have a responsibility to alert each other to unhealthy and/or dangerous locations and situations. The North Slope district raised its starting wage to 50k, the primary motivation being the high turnover ratio. I have personal knowledge of some of the personnel involved, and while there are definitely advantages to Bush teaching (which is why I will never teach in a city) the North Slope district has some serious problems. I've been reluctant to disclose some of this dirty laundry--I am happy, creative and well paid in my current district, and have no axe to grind. But here are some elements that every teacher should consider before working for the North Slope district--first, do some background work on who you'll be working for--the superintendant. He was elected for a four year term as super of ed in the lower 48, and quit halfway through his term. When a teacher quits before their contract is up, they are sanctioned by the AK department of ed. This person was rewarded by being hired by the North Slope district. His wife is the head of the technology dept; I don't know her salary but it's not small. And judging from teachers' comments, she may not be qualified for the job. This form of patronage has had a negative impact on the staff and children. Teachers in the remoter villages suffer from poor moral because of the money being spent on the district in Barrow, including the football team. The team is a great idea but the funding and increased staff attention are at the expense of the villages. Some villages on the slope are, at this time, unhealthy and dangerous places. A partial list includes threats in school and parents banging on teachers' doors. Don't believe me? Talk to a teacher up there. Some villages are healthy, but the entire system is buyer beware. Some positions are great, but some will result in incidents and perceptions that have been posted on this site. Bottom line, do your homework before you take a teaching position anywhere in Alaska. The North Slope district currently has some unhealthy dynamics. Two clear indicators are the lack of knowledge and interest in filling teaching positions; there is no excuse because personnel are out "traveling"--Barrow is a large district with more than enough people to maintain awareness of current teaching vacancies and return phone calls in a professional manner. The other indicator is to look on the AK state dept of ed employment listings; the North Slope district has been averaging one teaching position every 10 days. This indicates serious turnover and should be a warning flag to prospective teachers to proceed with caution. Teaching in the Bush can be the best but it can also be a nightmare. I apologize for some of the personal remarks here but the last couple posts have glossed over some of the information that teachers have a right to know.

Comment

report post