Re: Teaching in Alaska

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Alaska Teachers Chatboard

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 (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 w...See More

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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

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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

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