Stories

Educators in their Element:
Stories from the Field

Meet the 12,000+ members who work in Alaska’s public schools.

From Napakiak, to Fairbanks, to St. Paul, Craig and everywhere in between, you will find NEA-Alaska’s hard-working members. With members in 213 of Alaska’s 229 communities, our members are the heart and soul of the union. Our differences are our strengths, and as a team, we are stronger together. This is a place to learn more about your educators, who they are, where they live, what they do, and why their membership in NEA-Alaska matters so much to them.

Our Stories

The Community School

Inside Pacific High School (PHS) in Sitka, Alaska, the walls that separate classrooms are designed to be removed, allowing for openness, robust conversations, and shared learning experiences. Once inside, it may seem like this is an untraditional education environment, but this couldn’t be further from the truth because tradition, culture, and community are the bedrock upon which Pacific High is built.

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Robert Frasher had a full career before he took an official role as a teacher in 2007 with the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC).

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The Welding Instructor

From her resource room, Leilani runs a small reading group for fifth-graders.

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The Paraeducator

Jesse Bjorkman knows to never waste food or a good learning opportunity.

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The Outdoor Education Teacher

Education support professionals are the unsung heroes of our public schools.

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The Education Support Professionals

For Kate Hamre, the classroom goes beyond her four walls.

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The Elementary School Teacher

Mandy’s work, like the work of all ESPs isn’t easy, but she finds it deeply rewarding.

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The Paraeducator

Melinda Dooley’s culinary arts program is inspiring Anchorage students and setting them up for lifelong success.

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The Culinary Arts Teacher

Glenn Charlie never expected he’d be building up his community through education instead of wood and nails.

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The Rural Educator

John Hudson's classroom shows the history and culture of the region where he teaches.

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The Alaska Native Arts Teacher

Part of what makes Julia so special not only in her school but in Kodiak are her deep community roots.

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The Forever Bear

Pete Daley instructs the Girls in Welding program in Fairbanks, Alaska.

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The Welding Instructor