Teacher around Fairbanks (Metlakatla: work, crime, move)

[guppie]

Holy cow...I think Superstition works for the Mat-Su Chamber of Commerce or something I live in North Pole and I don't know what you are talking about with the ghetto/crime/drugs talk. Fairbanks/North Pole is like any other town or city with problems here and there but you make it sound like we're all on crack and robbing each other up here.

Anyway, Robyn, I am an elementary teacher up here. The schools are great. I'm not sure how hard it will be to get in up here. As for me, this is my 4th year teaching and I subbed for a full year before I got hired on full time. Enrollment hasn't changed all that much and with your experience, I would think that it shouldn't be too hard for you to find a position. If you are looking to stay away from town a little bit, look into any positions at Weller, Two Rivers, or Salcha. I know that Salcha and Two Rivers are kind of small and have multi-age classes so it may be a little harder to get in there. Salcha is about a 30-45 minute drive from Fairbanks and Two Rivers is a little less than that. Weller is only 10-15 minutes from town.

There are plenty of places to live near those schools, if you wanted to live out there. As for housing, it is a little pricey up here, same as down in Anchorage. You aren't going to touch anything decent for under 200K. Heating bills for my 2000 sqft house run around $350/month on a payment plan that spreads it out over 10 months. My electric is around $100/month in the summer and close to $200 in the winter. I have an older house that is not real energy effecient, so I imagine if you had a better insulated house you would do better than that.

Anyway, if you have any specific questions, let me know and I'll do what I can.

[robinhood]

Thank you guppie. Since my teacher certification is with another state, do you think it will be difficult to obtain Alaska certification? I guess what I'm asking is do any school districts hire teachers and then let them teach until they have gotten the required certification, or must this be done before actually teaching in the classroom? I know all states are different.

[guppie]

I'm pretty sure they will do a 1 year temporary certificate. I know that they require 1 or 2 classes on multiculturalism and Alaska Natives. I am pretty sure they will give you that 1 year temp certificate while you get those credits. Other than that, you should have reciprocity with your certificate and I don't really forsee any major problems. You can substitute without a certificate but you get paid less and there are some limitations on how many days you can sub in one school year. (At least in my district) Also, if you have a SpEd certification you should have almost no problem finding a job here.

Just curious, but where are you now?

[robinhood]

Actually, I do have a special education certification. I have never taught in a special ed. classroom, but I did get my certification. However, even though I've not taught special ed., in my home state of Texas, our schools try to keep special ed. students in the regular classroom as much as possible, so I've really taught many students with learning disabilities. I could tell you why I wish to leave Texas, but that would require the room for a novel, instead of a post. I will say that I've always had an interest in Alaska even as a child. My aunt grew up in Alaska and she still has relatives living in Ketchikan. Throughout my childhood she would go on trips to AK and come back with fascinating stories and photos. My love further grew in the 90's with the series "Northern Exposure". Yes, I know that was only television and not a true picture, but the dream was there. Another lure Alaska gives me is cold weather. In Texas it really doesn't ever get cold. We might get as low as 27 degrees maybe once or twice through the winter. According to Alasks standards, I'm sure thats only cool. Snow is another thing I love. We used to get snow every year when I was a young child, unfortunately I never get to see it now. The Northern Lights have held my interest for years. I've read about them, researched them, but I've never seen them. Many would say I just need a vacation to Alaska. However, when I get there, I know I wouldn't want to go back(to Texas).

[Garryinnola]

Robin Hood, I realize that this is a very old thread and you have probably re-located by now. But, regarding Fairbanks, another thing to consider is the winter in Fairbanks. Unless you have lived in the Arctic or sub-Arctic, there is nothing that could prepare you for a winter in the interior of Alaska. In addition to the long winter is the darkness and the extreme cold. The extreme cold, like minus 45 F or colder doesn't happen that often but if you're not prepared for it, it could prove expensive or even deadly. Autos must be kept in a heated garage during such cold. If not, you have to have an oil pan/dipstick heater and probably an engine block blanket or you won't be able to get your car started. And if it's a diesel, it won't start at all if left out in such cold. The darkness of the winters in Fairbanks is much more than you have ever experienced and many become depressed during the very long, dark nights. In addition, children sometimes become hyperactive during the long dark winters. Just another thing to consider before you make the leap to Fairbanks.

[robinhood]

Thanks Garry, but I haven't relocated yet. I think I came to terms with all of the things you spoke of and realized that Alaska would be out of my league in terms of change from Texas. I'm not saying I couldn't do it physically, because I'm a very strong person. My problem would be financially. This wouldn't have been a problem several years ago, before our economy went to pot. Anyway, I've decided to take baby steps and move northward, but stay in the lower 48. Of course at this time I am trying to save up money for this, but gas and grocery prices are making this difficult. Who knows, if the presidential election goes the way I fear it is going, my whole family may be heading for another country completely.

[Majik_Imaje]

Can I add something ?? to just consider?

North slope Borough school district. Barrow Alaska top of the world

free housing for teachers. .free heat for eveyone in this village. natural gas. Hospital; very low crime. this is a most wonderful place 5,000 residents.

electricy is very low.. In Kotzebue we paid 800 per month up here.. 100.

clean very modern store. Barrow is a very happening place. but it is on the coast.. Fairbanks or anyplace in the interior is going to be very hot in the summer time. 90 +. People (tourists) always complain that 60 is too hot for them. (Anchorage.) The big cities are out of control with rapid rise in crime rates.

gangs are finally established in the cities. I would want to live any other place in the world than in the Arctic it is the most wonderful place on earth.

Valdez is great but it rains much in the summer time.. this has the heaviest snowfall in the entire state.

In the winter time when people go food shopping at the local super market
they leave the cars running and the doors are not locked. there is no way to steal a car in valdez they have more police per capita than any place in the state. extremly safe place to live with all you want and need and the scenery is a 10 !! Little switzerland is the nick name for this place because the mountains on all sides closelly resemble the siwss alps. and they are up close and personal !!

[robinhood]

Wow! That sounds like a dream. Do you know what the average teacher salary is for this area? I'm also concerned with my husband finding a job. He is a rural water system assistant manager and operator. I'm sure his job would be drastically different as far as experience goes moving from a grassland biome to arctic. I am jealous of you for being able to live in the perfect place for you. I agree with those that say 90 degrees is too hot. I don't like for the temps to go above 60. I'm really SOL right now in Texas.

[Garryinnola]

Robinhood, Due to the length of time from the last post until mine, I really didn't expect anyone to respond, but I'm glad you did. Alaska is a wonderful place. I have some family that live there but it takes a special type of person to move there and stay there. If moving weren't so expensive it might be worth it to give it a shot. But if you're looking for a cooler climate, more wilderness and a low crime there are plenty of places in the Lower 48 that would fill the bill. I'd consider Montana, Idaho or even Wyoming. None of those states have really big cities (yet) and are cooler and have wilderness areas close by as well as a low overall crime rate. My stepmom lives in Boise, which is Idaho's capital & largest city and growing fast and she leaves her door locks on her house unlocked most of the time and nothing ever happens. And she doesn't have a car alarm either and seems not to need one. Good luck on your search for a better place. I know you're looking for something different and better and I hope you find it.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by Garryinnola

consider Montana, Idaho or even Wyoming. None of those states have really big cities (yet) and are cooler and have wilderness areas close by as well as a low overall crime rate.

Bah humbug, I say. That just ain't much of a substitute for Alaska!