Teaching in the Bush

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Alaska Teachers Chatboard

Teaching in the Bush

by Bush Teacher

Dec 30, 2012

I've tried to post this message before, but it wasn't alloweed on the board. So I am attempting again. Here is my experience of teaching in the Alaskan Bush.

I was offered a teaching position in a Bush location in Alaska. I accepted under contract at the rate of $57,466 for a contractual school year. I accepted the position on May 20, 2012, with the contract starting August 17, 2012. I was assigned to teach Secondary Social Studies to grades 7-12. I was the only female in the secondary portion of the school, which is what the secondary teachers wanted, because they only had men.

I moved to the location using my own funds, which cost near $10K.

On September XX, 2012, after the third break-in to the rental house I was residing in, I made my supervising principal aware I was concerned for my welfare in my rental house. The first break-in, August XX, 2012, was the taking of a Laptop, which was later recovered. The second break-in occurred August XX, 2012, noth...See More

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Deputy No lawyer? You should have been part of a legal organization -- i.e. monthly dues, should you need legal representation later -- before you even set foot in that "school". That way, you wouldn't have had to even talk with these snide, ugly, immature people at that meeting.

Dec 31, 2012

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Maestra "From the time your contract starts and you have out of state credentials, you have 60 days to start the application process. I was told differently and threatened with my contract being changed to a different pay scale."

I don't know about the rest of the story, but I don't think this is accurate information. You are supposed to have an A...See More"From the time your contract starts and you have out of state credentials, you have 60 days to start the application process. I was told differently and threatened with my contract being changed to a different pay scale."

I don't know about the rest of the story, but I don't think this is accurate information. You are supposed to have an Alaska teaching certificate at the time you start teaching. If you already have a "yellow card" indicating a complete application was filed, that's acceptable as well, because AK certificates are backdated to the time the application was received.

Perhaps it's 60 days from the time the contract is initially signed, rather than from the start of the contract period? But districts aren't supposed to have people in the classroom who don't have the state credentials.

On 12/30/12, Bush Teacher wrote: > I've tried to post this message before, but it wasn't > alloweed on the board. So I am attempting again. Here is my > experience of teaching in the Alaskan Bush. > > I was offered a teaching position in a Bush location in > Alaska. I accepted under contract at the rate of $57,466 > for a contractual school year. I accepted the position on > May 20, 2012, with the contract starting August 17, 2012. > I was assigned to teach Secondary Social Studies to grades > 7-12. I was the only female in the secondary portion of the > school, which is what the secondary teachers wanted, > because they only had men. > > I moved to the location using my own funds, which cost near > $10K. > > On September XX, 2012, after the third break-in to the > rental house I was residing in, I made my supervising > principal aware I was concerned for my welfare in my rental > house. The first break-in, August XX, 2012, was the taking > of a Laptop, which was later recovered. The second break-in > occurred August XX, 2012, nothing was taken, but I was > forced to use an unloaded gun to have the individuals leave > my house. On September XX, 2012, my house was again broken > into. A sum of money was taken as was my personal vehicle. > During this break-in I was physically assaulted. The > vehicle was recovered with some damage. I filed a police > report and pictures were taken of my face from the assault. > > I went to my supervising principal to inform him of the > circumstances of the instances that had happened. I > explained to him that I did not feel safe in the house I > was renting and wanted to look into finding somewhere else > to live. The same day I was informed by my principal we > would be attending a meeting at the district office to > discuss my concerns about my safety and that was the only > subject that would be discussed during the meeting. Upon > immediately sitting down at the meeting the Director of > Schools stated “I have asked you here to resign.” When I > asked why he stated, “you have no credibility in the > community.” I asked what my other options were and he > stated I had “two choices either resign or face an > investigation that would ruin my teaching career.” He also > stated, “I’m only trying to help you with your teaching > career.” I asked why he was asking for my dismissal and he > stated, “You have no credibility in the community.” I had > no idea why I would be investigated and he refused to > further explain what an investigation would entail. He > demanded my resignation, which since I was under contract > which did not include a probationary period. I didn’t > understand why I was not offered the due process as stated > in Union Negotiation Agreement. I was not offered legal or > association representation during the meeting. I was also > led to believe I was attending this meeting because I had > concerns for my safety at the house I was living in at the > time. In a 6 week period I lived there, my house was > vandalized, broken into three times, my vehicle was stolen > and the last break-in included a physical assault. > > I was forced to resign under coercion from my position with > the district, although I had a contract that stated my > employment was from August XX, 2012 to May XX, 2013, which > included a salary with benefits of $57,466. > > My contract specifically states that if either part decides > to resign there must be a 30 day notice and must be > accepted by the Board or you're in Breach of Contract. > > I didn't sign anything that stated I would resign by a > particular day and could change my mind about going through > with an investigation. I had nothing to hide from the > district or its officials. I was in such shock the, because > I was led to the meeting under false circumstances , my > mental clearness was not clear and I was in complete shock. > The powers that be in the room were forceful, bullying and > unwavering. > > Due to the events that transpired on that day I was taken > into protective custody by the police department due to the > distress and trauma from the day’s events. I told the > officer I wanted to take my life, because I was in Alaska > now without a job, far from home, without any money or > food, no money to get home, felt worthless, and didn’t > understand any of the events that had taken place that day. > The local department and a judge agreed given the events, I > needed to be involuntarily committed. I was transported to > Anchorage for further treatment due to my grave illness and > for my safety. However, I was transferred out of the area > more importantly for my protection from a parents, > community members and for my well being. I had a parent > threaten me with my own life. > > When I initially interviewed I was asked if I was married > or if I had any children. (against Federal Law0. I accepted > this position because they wanted me to coach a Varsity > team, which was a huge resume booster for me, but once I > arrived that all changed. "There may not be a team." > > During a teacher in-service a Director slept and read > magazines the entire time. > > I made a stink about not receiving paperwork for special > education students and the entire faculty laughed at me. > > I was told a specific group of people would be coming to > the area and do every year for a month. During that month > this group creates havoc. I was told that "you most likely > wake-up with them on passed out on your couch and you > better be careful, because they may even rape you." > > Once students were given computer access, they had access > to the internet and any printer in the building. I began > receiving print outs that were discriminating, demeaning, > and disgusting. > > I contacted the Union Rep and asked if I could join the > union and was told I could, but needed an application, that > my local union rep could never produce. > > From the time your contract starts and you have out of > state credentials, you have 60 days to start the > application process. I was told differently and threatened > with my contract being changed to a different pay scale. > However, I did receive my initial card and a few weeks ago > I received my official certificate for the state. > > During my few weeks there, the Police Chief left, as did > another officer and another officer was asked to resign, > because he was stalking community member. > > I sent a letter of demand to the district in question and > now I am having to go through other channels. > > Now, I have another friend in the Bush that absolutely > loves it. It's all about finding the right community. I > still have good friends in the community I lived in, but > it's been costly financially and emotionally with what > happened to me, especially (I swear on my grandmother's > grave) that I did nothing that would bring cause my > termination. > > So, if you want to teach in Alaska, the money is great. > Outsiders are not readily accepted and I recommend, unless > you're a man, don't go there alone. Go with a significant > other. Get everything in writing that is offered and if you > can afford to, visit the area you will teach in before you > accept the job.

Jan 16, 2013

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Teacher On 12/31/12, Deputy wrote: > > No lawyer? You should have been part of a legal organization > -- i.e. monthly dues, should you need legal representation > later -- before you even set foot in that "school". That way, > you wouldn't have had to even talk with these snide, ugly, > immature people at that meeting.

Interestin...See More

Apr 19, 2013

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