Caroline Storm
As CEE’s Executive Director, I had the opportunity to travel out to Western Alaska at the end of August to engage with three member school communities at 4 different sites and meet with three district superintendents, Bethel Mayor Mark Springer, and District 38 Representative CJ McCormick.
After 22 years in Alaska, and many trips to North and Northwestern Alaska, it was my first trip to Bethel, Tuluksak, Kalskag, Aniak and Sleetmute, and I am reminded once again that each of our state’s far flung communities are unique jewels that are distinct in their culture.
I wanted to briefly note that despite each school site facing unique issues, the students were genuinely happy to be back at school and excited about learning with new and returning teachers and staff. I was flattered to have several students in Tuluksak ask if I was a new teacher.
My time in Tuluksak (Yupiit District), and Sleetmute and Kalskag in the (Kuspuk District) coincided with culture week, which are fantastic hands-on project based experiences for students. In Tuluksak specifically it was an honor to witness elders coming into the school to teach multi-age student groups, as well as the teachers, the art of designing, making and the properties of using a fish trap.
In all four sites, what I saw first hand is the unequivocal dedication, commitment and patience of teachers welcoming students back and ushering in a new school year. Conversations with superintendents covered a wide range of topics from needs to the potential for student engagement with new and innovative programs.
My discussion with school board members in Kuspuk revolved around the desire for more project based cultural instruction.
In Sleetmute, I changed my hat to professional architect and did my best to assist the district with a mitigation plan so that the students number one request be met: that they be able to use their gym again.
As a whole, the trip deepened my understanding of site to site individual needs, as well as deepened my resolve to lead CEE to advocate for and find solutions for those needs. Lobbying for adequate public education funding remains the number one priority for CEE, and now we are also looking at the potential for different support mechanisms to alleviate our most heavily taxed districts.
In the coming months I will elaborate on site specific insights from this visit. Until then, CEE will be focused on boosting the visibility of pro-education leaders with an eye to a pro-education House coalition after November 5.
