New Teachers (Anchorage, Sand Point: how much, to buy, school districts)

[AlleninAlaska]

I can see by some of the threads being posted that several School Districts are hiring a bunch of new teachers to teach in the Bush. Any and all new teachers if you plan on changing the way things are done, that will be Strike 1 against you. If you are white, that will be Strike 2 against you. It won't take long for the community members to find a reason to get Strike 3 against you. I do hope you all enjoy your stay up here but please remember that the people living in the Bush are living in the Bush for a reason. To get away from the way things are done in the cities of the Lower 48 States.

[itdincor]

I agree with Allen. Here in Sand Point, we've had seven principals in nine years. Last year seventeen teachers left, district wide. Borough School Administrators sign on for two year contracts. It is uncommon for them to last more than one year.

Figure it out.

I live literally next door to the housing provided for borough school district administrators, have formed friendships with all but one of them, and heard considerably more than I wanted to. All negative, save for the present administrator, who doesn't talk, but merely growls when the school board is mentioned.

The school board here, so far as I can see, is entirely reprehensible.

Of course, teachers from Outside do not tend to involve themselves in the community, nor make much effort to make friends, but rather tend to project an air of superiority and arrogance. That does not help.

I arrived here in 1988. It took over ten years for me to be accepted; now I'm just part of the furniture, and considered a local. Yet, in all that time, only two households have invited me over for dinner. I can only ass-u-me it's my blue eyes.

An "insular attitude" would be the best description. Also, Alaskan Natives decry racial prejudice, yet altogether too many practice it themselves every day. That's just a fact.

Figure it out.

And I don't care who knows I wrote this.

Kenneth Johnson
Sand Point Alaska

[WriterofWords]

No wonder your area is short of teachers,, you are trying to run them off before they ever get there. Maybe if you change your attitude towards "outsiders" and try welcoming them in you wouldn't have such a hard time. It is very hard for someone to teach in a new location when they are going up against people like you who dislike them before they get there. I'm used to being hated because I'm white, I live on the border with Mexico. So hey, if they can hate me here, they can hate me there, they only thing is I don't let hate get to me. [moderator CUT]
Kat

[justonlyme]

Racism is taught, eh?

[Rance]

Why can't we all just...get along?

[Alaska Deb]

Originally Posted by AlleninAlaska

I can see by some of the threads being posted that several School Districts are hiring a bunch of new teachers to teach in the Bush. Any and all new teachers if you plan on changing the way things are done, that will be Strike 1 against you. If you are white, that will be Strike 2 against you. It won't take long for the community members to find a reason to get Strike 3 against you. I do hope you all enjoy your stay up here but please remember that the people living in the Bush are living in the Bush for a reason. To get away from the way things are done in the cities of the Lower 48 States.

I am moving to Alaska in two years, and plan to teach. I'm in the process of taking the Alaskan Studies and Multicultural Courses.

I'm not being anything but curious here, but would really like a further discussion on this.

I've taught in two, very different school systems, and the first thing a teacher learns is: "I am the new person...*I* must adapt to their ways because I am the newcomer.

I understand the concept of Bush (type) living... I was born and raised in the 'woods' of Vermont. In Vermont, people (well, the Vermonters) don't want other people's opinions pushed on them, and they certainly wouldn't push their opinions on others!

Your post ran a chill down my spine. I'm a *good* teacher who loves teaching, is used to teaching in a multicultural atmosphere, and just wants to move to Alaska, not step on anyone's toes, be myself, and enjoy all that Alaska has to offer. But, from your post, I *think* I glean that this would not come close to being enough.

How much truth is there to the thought that because I am white and an Outsider that I would be rejected out of hand?

I'm new to the forum, and it was this particular post that made me register. I'll have more (many more) questions on some regions I have my eye on.

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts on this matter.

[Georgia]

Funny, Alaska and Vermont are my two favorite states, nothing like either one of them anywhere!

With this said, Alaska and Vermont share one thing, natural beauty.
As far as "Bush" living, Vermont does not come close in comparison to Alaska on that aspect.

I will say one thing, a Vermonter as a teacher would stand a much better chance than one from Jersey or California, thats for sure.

In closing, I will just go sit down now and be jealous of you both

[mountainme]

I'm wondering if anyone here can tell me about the realities of living and teaching in a bush community, Sand Point for example. My husband is the teacher, I'd be with him most of the year, for about 4-5 months I work in the summers in Montana. Basically, unfriendly people aren't that big of a concern, I'm a hermit so its ok with me. Thats why we're considering moving from MT to AK, theres too many people in MT nowadays. But I'm a big outdoors person, like to hike, ski, are there many opportunities for that? I mean as in hiking trails, walking through trailless nasty blowdown isn't so fun. Also whats the housing like? Pricey I'd bet, compared to what I know. I guess just anything to give me the mental picture of potential life there will help!

[mal_flisk]

Housing for teachers in the bush is usually provided by the school district. If you intend to teach in the Bush, ask for an upfront allowance to make a Costco pr Sam's Club run in Anchorage before you go out to the village. It is cheaper to buy your bulk food items and fly them out than it is to purchase it in the village.

[Rainy]

What Allen said is the truth whether anyone wants to hear it or not.

Of course, teachers from Outside do not tend to involve themselves in the community, nor make much effort to make friends, but rather tend to project an air of superiority and arrogance. That does not help.

And this is also a general truth, though there certainly are exceptions.

I think that a big part of the problem lies in that there are a lot of teachers and others coming up here for the wrong reasons.

How much truth is there to the thought that because I am white and an Outsider that I would be rejected out of hand?

It's nothing but the truth. Of course, how you initially handle that is up to you and will determine the quality of the rest of your stay here.