1 Year Anniversary!

Yes, one year ago, I first landed in Akiak for my orientation. My, and what a year it has been! The new teachers are here now going through their orientation. They are all so much better prepared than I was as far as supplies and bringing their stuff. They brought 150 lbs of stuff per person when they came. I never thought of that....

But that's not what's been on my mind as I think about my year here and the next year to follow....but first, let me take you back:

A couple of years ago while I was working in Benicia, CA, my principal requested volunteers from each grade to head a PLC (Professional Learning Community) team for their group. I didn't really know what it was (it's basically working together to use data to help your teaching and increase test scores) but I had been teaching for 3 years and I felt ready to start working on my leadership skills. I was ready for some more professional growth.

What I wasn't ready for was the big wigs at my school district to turn me down and suggest someone with more experience should do it. I played it off like it didn't bother me, but it did. I felt rejected. And I felt that my district didn't appreciate my abilities. And my feelings about the subject weren't helped when I saw what a PLC was. I could have absolutely have ran that group. I hid my feelings, and I doubt any of my co-workers knew how I felt, but it turned me off to wanting to take on any projects with the district in the future. In fact, it made me re-think anytime there was a request for leadership....not that I didn't think I could do it, but I didn't want to be turned down again.

Okay, so I hold a grudge.

And I brought those feelings here to Akiak. I saw a lack of leadership in my school's administration and instead of me stepping up and taking the issues I could have helped with, I held back. I didn't want to hear that I didn't have enough experience, especially since it was my first year in the bush.

But here's the funny thing, in my elementary wing, I had the most experience teaching in an elementary classroom. Aside from the Kindergarten teacher (who was in another hall), I was the most veteran elementary teacher (It was my 5th year teaching). Granted, others had been in education longer, but not running their own classrooms.

But I noticed, there were a lot more opportunities for me here. Anyone could sign up for any committee. My district was grateful for the support. They didn't care if it was your first year in the bush or your first year teaching period. I got involved in a School Improvement Grant (SIG) committee. I signed up for trainings, inservices, and what have you.

And people were listening to me. I felt like I was respected and maybe even looked up to.

And then came the opportunity to teach summer school came up. And I applied....with the statement of "but I don't want to run it." I'm not kidding, I did say that. I wasn't ready for that kind of leadership. And wouldn't you know who ended up being the Lead Teacher in charge of it? Yep.....me.

And it turns out to be a really good thing for me and for Akiak, I hope. Because our summer school program is unlike anything Akiak has ever experienced. The summer school program is being planned by the Elders. They want to connect to their youth and help them. They are going to teach them Yup'ik traditions, history, and folklore. They are going to take kids out to the fish camps and teach kids how to cut fish and what you do from there. Net mending, Yup'ik crafts, identifying local plantlife & medicinal plants, etc. It's going to be an incredible experience!

This is the first time a school program hasn't been dictated by a white person. Yeah, I was put in charge of it, but I found out during the first meeting with the Head Coordinator what the community wanted, and so I just sat back and took notes. I am in charge of the 1 1/2 hours we are required to teach reading/math/writing from the state. And remember how I took training on how to teach math in a Yup'ik context using Yup'ik traditions? So that's what we are doing for math. I'm keeping it Yup'ik. There's another teacher who's going to do the reading portion (O) and he feels just as I do, sit back and help it happen.

I was honored to be invited to two (2!) meetings with the elders. True, I don't speak Yup'ik, so I missed a lot of it, but when I was asked what crafts I was planning on doing, I experienced great satisfaction of seeing their faces as they realized I wasn't doing any of the planning other than the state's requirements. At the beginning of the meeting, they thought I was going to tell them what small snippet of time I was going to give them. And the excitement increased around the room as they realized I (and the other teachers) were working for them and their summer program.

I was also nominated the spokesperson to tell the district what our program consisted of. I flew to Akiachak on Thursday. I had been asked to present to the new teachers. My topic? My experience during my first year. Thank goodness I had my blog to look back on! I stayed the night and got to know the "new kids" better. I fully enjoyed my night. The next day was a district-wide summer school meeting. I met with my "support staff" which is total crap because they came up with such great ideas and were so enthusiastic that it's clear I'll be supporting them. Which was my plan from the get go!

And when I got back, I was invited to join an Elder and his wife (both are amazing & I'm friends with their daughters!) while they took a couple of the new teachers on a boat ride. I of course said "YES!" and enjoyed the ride & the rest of my day.

Being here has opened the door to so many new opportunities for me. And I did finally get to take on a leadership role (even if it's in name only - cause I'm not running this show, I'll just take care of the paperwork & attend the meetings). Although, more and more of my coworkers are treating me like a leader....and looking to me for advice. And that's very flattering.

I know that it's easy for many people (& some administrators) to overlook me at first. I think it goes back to that quiet strength I have. I'm not flashy and many people see my weight and judge me from that. But more and more, my life is moving beyond that. People are starting to see what I do, hear what I say, and read what I write.

Oh yes my friends, it's been quite a year....