Tundra Teacher Tales

Be Happy

2009-08-16T23:03:00.000-07:00

The preparation for a new school year is always a busy time. To remain sane I keep the faith and the humor in most things. It sometimes isn’t easy in this day and age to find the bright side (even a laugh) in situations, but I can’t help myself. I’ve always been that way. A couple of recent experiences come to mind.
When I was in Bethel August 4th – 6th for the District Wide In-service there were several hundred educators roaming around. I was impressed with the organization of the event and pleasantly surprised at the learning that took place. Then the fog set in.
It wasn’t a problem at the moment because we still had another day of inservice, but we also know that the fog can stick around for a few days. There wasn’t anything we could do about it so we went about our business.
However, I never really thought about how hectic it could be at the bush airlines on days with heavy fog and they are unable to get a plane in the air. That is until my wife told me a short conversation they had with a person at one of the airlines. Apparently the person had been receiving a lot of phone calls that morning and was a bit stressed out.
My wife had called from Texas to make reservations to fly from Bethel Eek on August 17th after she would arrive from Anchorage. I don’t know if she knew it was foggy or not in Bethel, but she soon found out. When she called the person on the other end picked up the phone and didn’t say “Hello” or “Hi” or “----Air.” He just said, “We are waiting for the fog to lift.” That was it. The guy probably didn’t see any humor in it, but we did.
Then last week while my day was hectic from the pre-school opening demands I got a call from a local resident in Eek. It was the first time I had talked to him since I’ve been back. What he said after I answered just made my day – and I told him so afterwards. He said, “How is my white brother from another mother?” There was nothing odd about that coming from him. It might have offended some people, but hey – I am white, I do have another mother, and we are “brothers” in the friend sense.
After I stopped laughing we talked of how our summer went and then we got down to the business he had on his mind. I still think it was funny and probably always will when I reflect on it.
Happy people are what makes the world go around. Remember that life is what you make of it. Problems do arise, but it is how you react to them that can make the difference. Some people may think you are crazy and laugh when you shouldn’t, but in my book I like see the bright side of things and see humor in the unexpected. I’ll continue to do so.
Give humor a chance in your daily life and try to be happy no matter the situation. I bet you will feel better.

I've Returned

2009-08-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

Readers: I'm kind of opposite when it comes to weather and living. The winters are spent in in Alaska and the summers in TX. The following is my first column for The Delta Discovery newspaper (Bethel, Alaska) upon my return for another school year. It is a weekly column that I will post as I write them. Be sure and visit my other blog (kipscorral.blogspot.com) for more of your reading pleasure.
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Howdy all. I made it back for another year. Sure hope everyone’s summer went well. Ours was busy. We barely had some down time.
I arrived in Anchorage July 31st. My luggage showed up later. It wasn’t bad though. The flight from Houston, TX was an hour late to Seattle. My layover was only 1-½ hours. By the time the plane pulled up to the gate and we got off it was 12:35PM. My connection was to leave at 1:05PM. The flight attendant told me not to worry as the flight to Anchorage was only two gates away.
He was right. A flight to Anchorage was near by, but not my flight. It was then that I found out Continental had hooked up with Alaska Airlines – and the plane to take me to The Last Frontier was a terminal away. The race was on.
Running isn’t in my forte anymore so I walked as fast as I could. When I got to the correct gate it was the only time I was thankful that an airline was late. They hadn’t even begun to board yet.
Even with the delay my luggage didn’t make it on the plane with me, but it arrived on the next flight about a half hour later. No big deal.
After shopping and shipping items for a couple of days in the big city I found it was already Sunday and I was on a plane to Bethel. The flight was uneventful until we got to Bethel. The plane was coming in for a landing and then it pulled up at the last second. It made a wide circle and then finally landed. I heard two stories on why we were given an involuntary air tour of Bethel. One tale was “there was a plane on the run way.” It made sense. The other rumor was that the landing gear was not down. Now that was a bit more frightening and didn’t make nearly as much sense. I don’t know which one (if either) was true and quit frankly don’t really know if I want to.
Nevertheless, we made it safely to the terminal. The rain was falling in Bethel. No surprise there. For the last few years it has been raining the first day I arrive back to the Delta after summer break.
The next morning in Eek I was heading to the Post Office and some kids stopped me to show me something I’d never seen in my 12 years in the bush. They pointed to a telephone pole with a big transformer at the top. There, nestled and balanced next to the transformer, were crows that had been electrocuted. It was intriguing to say the least.
The week went on with work and a couple of days of inservice in Bethel. Then today, Saturday, August 8, 2009, I spotted an unusual and somewhat sad sight walking to the store. It was another first – okay second for this column. I was passing a steam house and noticed that the door had a hasp and lock on it. I can understand locking a house, a vehicle, storage sheds, and the like, but a steam house?
What can they steal? Maybe the lock is to prevent usage by other people while the owners are at fish camp or vacation or some other legitimate reason. I rightly don’t know. Now maybe locking a steam house is more common now days than I think. I can understand a latch on the inside as people are bathing, but to have to resort to putting a lock on the outside is sad in a way.
Well, it is getting late and I’d best close this article. Have a safe week, fish well, work hard, and find time to play and make time for family.

Still Me

2009-04-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

There was a time when most of my adventures happened beyond the village on the tundra or river. It didn’t matter if I was near or far from the house. The Lord had a way of reminding me/us of the danger that can lurk in bush Alaska. And He had let me live to relate the stories.
Then I became older, had an accident that pretty much eliminated any thought of risky behavior, and now I am a bit wiser. I still tend to attract the unusual and my eyes still observe life and the environment my way. The difference now is that the attraction is limited to home, school, and the immediate confines of the village I may be in at the time. Guess you could call me more of an introvert than an extrovert, but I’m still me. I can’t escape myself, or Murphy’s Law.
I went to Good News Bay (about a 45 minute ride in a bush plane) last Wednesday and stayed the night at the school. They offered me a choice of sleeping arrangements. I chose a couch in one of the classrooms. Slept well, but probably could have been better. The next morning they asked me how I slept.
“Y’all need a longer couch,” I joked, “but I was comfortable and got some sleep.”
“Did you know that it is a hide-a-bed?”
“No, I didn’t, but I know now.”
Have you ever been to Good News Bay? It is a beautiful place. Mountains surround the village. They are everywhere. Did you know there is even one in the sewage lagoon? It isn’t really a mountain. It’s more like a mound and no; it isn’t made up of what you may be thinking. Some maintenance was done to the lagoon and the pile is just dirt – or so I was told.
When I got back to Eek it was time to prepare for next week’s testing required by the Federal Government and No Child Left Behind. One thing on my list was making sure there were plenty of snacks and drinks for the students. It should have been a supposedly a simple, easy chore to carry out – call stores in Bethel and get the stuff flown out to Eek.
It was easy at the beginning. After phoning one store and placing an order for drinks and snacks, it was time to call a grocery store for other items I wanted. That wasn’t so easy.
Never before had I been turned down by a grocery store until now. All I wanted to buy was fresh fruit for the students’ breaks during the dreadful testing week. I called the store and said something like, “I’d like to order a couple cases of oranges and apples to be delivered to the airport and shipped to Eek School.”
Their response left me wondering why, in these economic times, would a business turn down customers? The lady told me that they weren’t taking any orders until Monday (this was Thursday) because we’re full right now. All I could mumble was, “Okay, thanks.”
Maybe I will try to order again Monday, but testing begins Tuesday. It is now Sunday afternoon and I just got my drink and snack order I placed Thursday. There may not be enough time.
It looks like I need to follow my wife’s advice. For two days I’ve been expecting the order to arrive. I was worried that I would miss the call and not be able to go to the airport and get it. Irene told me that the agent should bring the stuff to the school and to “not worry about it.”
So, I kind of didn’t worry about it and do you know what happened? The plane landed and the agent brought the order to the school. Weird, uh?

Camaii Trip

2009-03-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

Note: Camaii (pronounced Ja-my-ya) is a Yup'ik Eskimo greeting meaning "Howdy, Hi, How are you doing, etc" The Camaii Festival is an annual event that draws dancers and people from all over. You can also find furs, jewelry, sculptures, carvings, grass baskets, etc hand made and created by the people of the Kuskokwim Delta and surrounding area.

Bethel is approximately 40 miles from the village of Eek. I am the school Site Administrator (glorified principal) in Eek. The area is wide open tundra and the weather constantly plays havoc on travel, which by the way, is only by boat, air, or snow mobile depending on season.

Enjoy the read.

The month of March is about to end and I have neglected this column for too long. Time to get back to the weekly writings. We are in Bethel right now. Camaii was fun. We haven’t attended the festivities in a few years. Glad we did.
The cab dropped us off shortly after the doors opened. The place was already hopping. It was time to shop. Irene always carries a list with family names and when we find something that we think they will like we buy it. She writes the item we purchased by their name and it then becomes a gift at a later date. I never see the thing again. Irene will store them away and then wrap and mail the package. If she left it to me to keep up with the item, then neither of us (or the recipient) would ever see it again. It is a good system.
We looked at all the wonderful, skillfully made crafts, clothing, art, carvings, etc and got ideas. Then headed to watch the dancing for a while. Along the way we passed the concession stand. It was crowded so we kept on. So glad we did.
We got to see a couple of dancing groups. Or does one call them teams? Or is there another name for several people together dancing? Does it really matter? Anyway, we watched about three sets(?) of dancers before our stomachs talked to us.
The crowd was gone from the food area, but so was some food. They ran out of hamburgers, hotdogs, and a couple of other edibles. How do we know? It appears the process of elimination works in all sorts of cases. By narrowing down the choices one doesn’t really need to make the decision. It is made for them. I’ll explain.
Irene ordered a cheeseburger.
“We are out of cheeseburgers,” the concessionaire (?) replied.
“How about a hotdog?” I blurted out.
“No hotdogs either.” She blurted back.
I gave her an “I-don’t-understand-why-there-isn’t-any-food-at-the-concession-stand-on-the-first-full-day-of-Camaii-when-there-are-so-many-people-here” look.
Sometimes I hate logic, especially when it destroys my logic. “We are waiting for our stuff from Anchorage,” she explained.
Oh yeah, blame it on a volcano. One can’t argue with that.
Irene decided to be simple about the matter, “Well, what do you have?”
“Nachos.”
Irene countered, “Well then, nachos it is,” and with that we had lunch and headed back to the gym and the dancing. Glad we did.
The Akiuk Grizzlies were on stage and to us they were fantastic. The drumming and singing were super and the dancers were great. It was the first time I had seen a nine-year-old boy do solo dancing. I know all dances tell a story, but it was the first time I had seen male dancers apparently dancing a story about women. It was very entertaining and had good light-hearted humor. Wish I knew the story they were dancing, but you don’t have to know the story to enjoy the dancing.
Intermission followed their performance so we decided to go by some things. We knew what we wanted to buy to fulfill some of our gift list. Of course, we bought more than we anticipated, but that is usually the case.
Back at the hotel we regrouped, put on snow pants and such and headed to the store. Sort of glad we did. After looking at how much prices have risen since the last time we shopped in Bethel our wants were quickly eliminated from our minds and we pretty much stuck to our needs. We figured about a hundred bucks for the small amount of groceries we had in our basket. Wrong. It was more like a hundred-fifty.
Saturday night was noisy for Irene. Seems our neighbors in the room next door were quite wound up. She was glad she brought earplugs. Me? I sleep without my hearing aids.
All in all it wasn’t a bad trip. We spent more than we budget for, had noisy neighbors in the room next door, watched superb dancing, ate junk food lunch and dinners, and now have woken up to iffy weather.
Maybe we will spend thee days at the airport waiting for the weather to clear - or maybe not. Who knows? At least we pre-reserved a hotel room and hand washed some clothes last night in preparation. We might be glad we did, but I hope not.
Until next week, be safe and stay warm.

Since my last column...

2009-01-25T19:25:00.000-08:00

Howdy everyone! It is good to be back writing. A lot has happened since the last time I wrote – 2008 I believe. No excuses on my end, at least not a one that justifies my lack of writing. That being said (or written), it is story time.
Let’s title it, “Since the last column.”
Since the last column…
We returned from Christmas (yes, Christmas, not “Holiday”) vacation January 11th and things have been hopping since. You can’t stop sickness and the infection never ends with only one person. Last week we had a day with five staff members out on sick leave. It brought back the memories of when Irene and I were at tiny schools. With help from other staff we managed to cook and feed the kids, cover the classes, and handle other day-to day challenges. It is fun to be back.
Since the last column…
We have learned that when people told us there isn’t Federal Express package service they were not kidding. We had some documents to send out and the company had sent us a Fed Ex return envelope. The post office doesn’t accept them and the Fed Ex truck hasn’t been out here in…I’d say…a couple thousand years.
The envelope was given to the airline agent who gave it to the pilot who gave it to the people at the Bethel terminal. That was as far as it got. We were notified that the company hadn’t received the envelope so we tracked it down. The airline still had it and they said they. “were waiting for someone to come pick it up.”
It had a to and from Texas address…I don’t know.
Nevertheless, we had them send it back to us and we repackaged it and sent it via post office Express Mail. It got to its destination in a few days. The whole mailing took more than two weeks.
Since my last column…
I again was reminded that you can't start a four-wheeler while the kill switch is on “kill.”
Since my last column…
A theory that I had wondered about was confirmed. If you press hard enough or continue over the same area too much you can cut yourself with an electric razor.
Since my last column…
Irene and I learned that no matter how hard you try not to give the other a cold – you usually fail. Within a day or two after I recovered Irene decided not to be left out of the suffering. She is about well now.
Since my last column…
The school basketball season has begun. It is a time of travel and no travel. Our high school boys’ basketball team experienced both this past weekend. They traveled to Kongiginak Friday and their Saturday 12:30PM flight is late. In fact, it is now after 3:00PM on Sunday and they aren’t here yet.
So as you have read, nothing much has changed in regards to life in Bush Alaska since my last column.

I'm Finally Back...Miss Me?

2009-01-15T19:17:00.000-08:00

I apologize to everyone, but December 27, 2007 I had an accident that laid me up for almost four months. I fell from 16 feet from a deer stand and broke my left femur a few places (now rod and screws in it), my right foot and ankle about a dozen fractures, and to top it off I broke my back.
When I managed to get back to the village of Atmautluak, Alaska where I was teaching it was already April 30, 2008. I flew to Eek (yes, it is a real village) the next day, interviewed for the Site Administrator's position, and got the position.
So, the month of May was spent packing and then I recovered more over the summer. I haven't written Tundra Teacher Tales as consistently for the paper and finally got around to posting them again.
Below are the ones up until now. I sure hope to write and post more often from now on.
Meantime, enjoy the ones below.

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8/28/08

New Home, New School Year

Howdy All! Irene and I are back from summer vacation and now live in Eek. I guess that is appropriate after a personally scary spring, but all is pretty good now. I haven’t used my cane in a while and am probably close to as fully healed as I will be. It feels great to be back
in the administrative saddle.
The first week of school was a success. There are things to tweak, but not much. It actually went smoother than I thought it would. We had some problems with scheduling, classroom materials, and the usual stuff, but nothing major. Of course, the most confusion took place the
first morning back while a member of the LKSD School Board was visiting the school. My good luck continues.
We had parent conferences Friday to go over their child (ren)’s spring test scores and how things are so far. The turn out was close to 100% due to technology. The students had to bring their parents to school so they could sign a form in order for the student to be issued
his/her laptop. What a coincident it happened to correspond with parent meetings…ummm.
The district had two new four-plexes built for teacher housing, one in Eek and the other in Kwigillingok. They are nice. Irene and I arrived July 29th with the intention of moving in and getting our unit set up. I had been emailing and letting the district know our plans, but
some things are beyond anyone’s control.
It seems the closer we got to the 29th the further away the final inspection date became. Before leaving Texas for Anchorage, the inspection date was July 31st. In Anchorage it turned into August 6th. By the time we got to Eek the date had manifested to August 10th. We
were to stay in the old administrator’s house until we could live in the new place. However, we were allowed to move furniture and personal items into it, we just weren’t
able to live there until the final inspection was complete.
Now, I’m not a construction person or an inspector of such, nor do I intend to present myself as one. That is why all I could see that needed to be done was the installation of three ranges and leveling a couple refrigerators. At the time I had trouble understanding why the builders left with so little to finish. It was like someone leaving a few drops of milk left in the carton.
Just spend an hour to complete things and then be on your way.
One thing I do like about LKSD is that most departments will work with the sites to accommodate or come up with a solution or compromise satisfactory to all. They
were able to arrange the final inspection for Monday, August 4th. On the 2nd a couple people come out to prepare for it.
It turned out that there were a bit more tedious items to fix than I imagined. I only saw the obvious. They had a detailed list of items to check off. It was an unfair advantage that made sense. With the help and encouragement of Irene I was able to stay out of their way. Therefore, we were able to spend our first night in our new home the night of the 4th.
Now that things have settled down a bit and the confusion has subsided I’ll let you in on a few items that stood out (in no particular order of sense). The students are patient, well behaved, and pretty much know the routines and what is acceptable. The staff is very competent and
knows what they are doing. Eek is a quiet village. Irene is a good interior decorator. I’m almost able to find everything in the kitchen now. We can see the mountains on a clear day. The mosquitoes and gnats are still a problem. Frozen food for the school is still delivered during
commercial fishing days when only the site administrator and his wife are around to put it away. It only takes a week for me to “break” a four-wheeler.
Lastly, I noticed the time so I’d better close this column so it can be published on time.
Talk to you again soon.

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9/3/08

Cable Ready Kip

As with moving to any new site there are adjustments and glitches that have to be worked out. It doesn't matter if you are a first year teacher or if you have spent years in the bush. One thing that most educators in rural Alaska think they need to survive and feel somewhat civilized is a television. Oh - AND access to channels. In Eek people have four choices to make it happen, provided they have a TV.
The adventurous viewers simply purchase an antenna. The most popular ones are usually referred to as rabbit ears. You hook them up directly to the TV. We put up with a pair when we lived in Newtok a decade ago. With them attached to our set we received two channels, one was ARCS and I forget the other one, although PBS rings a bell. Anyway, there wasn't a set programming schedule for the prime time shows viewed on ARCS. Every hour was different and usually it was a 'tease." A show would begin and get you hooked for a couple of minutes then it would switch to another program. For instance, if a crime show was on you would see the crime before the screen changed to something else. You were left without knowing how one show would end and how the "new" show began. Rabbit ears are appropriately named for rural areas. The two ears translated to two channels and two shows.
If you look around the village you will notice another kind of antennae. They are the larger ones on the roofs of some homes. I'm not sure if they pick up more channels, but the reception is probably better.
A second option is to subscribe to the local cable network through the corporation. They run a cable to your house and you pay a monthly fee. It isn't a bad deal. There are forty channels including HBO for a reasonable fee. We got the information and are keeping it handy as it prevents us from having to adjust our own satellite.
The third option is what Irene and I chose for the moment. We had cable run to the teacher housing from an existing satellite and hooked up with Dish Network - mainly because we already had a DVR receiver and an account with Dish Network. The cable was run in an hour and two weeks later we had eliminated what we hope were all the problems. I helped a lot. The maintenance man would tell me what he knew was the problem and I would proceed to let him know what I thought was the problem. It never would have gotten fixed if he had listened to me.
Then one morning last week our TV screen was black and "no signal" was prominent in the middle. I asked our neighbor if her TV was getting reception and it was. I fiddled with the cable hook-ups that evening and still got nothing. It was time to break down and call Dish Network. Maybe I shouldn't have because do you know what that sweet innocent female customer service representative had the nerve to ask me? "Is your TV on channel three?" It is now.
There are advantages to all of the above choices. If you only have two channels and your programming keeps getting switched it sure helps to keep your mind young trying to imagine the ending and the beginning of programs. Using a well-established reliable local cable network sure saves you headaches. Having your own satellite will enhance your problem-solving skills and show you (or just me) how easy a fix can be.
The fourth choice is to forego television all together. I know a few people who don't care for TV. They either do not want the expense, don't care for modern shows, or would rather watch DVD's on their computer. To each their own in the fictional, reality, true, infomercial, soap opera, game show, news, comedy, movie, history, cartoon, children, home/garden, or sitcom programming to name a few modern outstanding choices. It is a great way to waste time, but why listen to me?
(Don't forget to check out Tundra Teacher Tales in paperback or e-book form. Simply log onto www.booklocker.com/books/973.html).

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9/10/08

Names, Fat, and Hairy Beds

The first few weeks of a school year are always interesting. New staff arrives. Returning teachers…well…return. Students have to again fall into the routine of rising early and staying alert for hours, all this while getting to know their teacher(s). It seemed easier for the students who looked forward to getting a laptop computer issued to them than it did for the new kindergarteners. Priorities do differ.
I’m still getting to know the kids and remember their names. It is hard for them to understand why they don’t have a problem remembering Kip and I have trouble recalling their name. I try to explain that, thank God, there is only one of me while there are almost 90 of them. Eventually, I’ll get it straight.
Kids have always expressed themselves in an honest, innocent way. They tend to say what they are thinking - without thinking. A while back a student blurted out to one of the staff that she “had less fat in her face.” What a compliment. Wish I had less fat.
Then you have the first year teachers from the Lower 48 new to rural Alaska that, through their actions and “learning of the ropes,” bring back splendid memories of my bush innocence. Newbie’s soon discover that the term “snail mail” actually has meaning living in Southwest Alaska. They also learn quickly that sometimes you have to make do with what is available in the village.
Nevertheless, even as an eleven-year veteran of living the village dream, I continue to learn a thing or two from new teachers. Sometimes we get educated together. For example, one particular teacher learned that hotel and B&B space fills up fast in Bethel when there is a workshop to attend. She found that if you wait until the day before you leave you never know what type of place you may get. I learned where not to lay my head.
As she scrambled with the phone attempting to find a room for the night, I did my Site Administrator duty telling her of all the places I knew to overnight in Bethel. “No vacancy” became the norm as she kept dialing different places. Finally, she found a hotel with an available room and happily made her reservation. Afterwards, she asked me if I ever heard of the place. I told her I hadn’t and to let me know how it is in case I may need to stay there someday.
I don’t remember the name of the hotel, but kind of wish I did so I don’t stay there. She jubantly flew to Bethel and arrived at the hotel. It turns out that a person (or persons) has the option of renting a room by the hour there rather than a full night. It also became apparent to her that sometimes housekeeping skips a room.
In her case, it slipped the maids’ mind to at least vacuum the sheets. When our adventurous teacher turned the covers back on the bed she found a bunch of black hairs on the sheets. Yuck! However, the hotel staff was nice and gave her another room – one that looked clean and had bald sheets on the bed.
The year is quite young and there is much to learn. It doesn’t matter who you are because embarrassing, naïve adventures await us all; we should laugh and learn. Sometimes you can gain a bit of wisdom. You only need to think logically.
For instance, over the years I’ve heard Elders say that when the grass is high there will be a lot of snow that winter. The grass does look taller than usual this year to me. So I have a solution. I say if you want less snow simply cut the grass.
(Don't forget to check out Tundra Teacher Tales in paperback or e-book form. Simply log onto www.booklocker.com/books/973.html).

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9/17/08

I’m Steamed

Living in a village a person becomes accustomed to the distinct odor emitting from a steam house. It is unique and quite unlike any other smell, but it doesn’t take long to realize what it is. After my first steam in almost two years I remembered the main ingredient – burning flesh. About two weeks ago a couple layers of my skin went up in smoke.
“Taking a steam” is something that needs to be done regularly. You can’t just steam every year-and-a half expecting to emerge without some sign of inexperience. For me, I made the mistake of letting everyone know how good I could steam and my ability to keep up with the best of the body roasters. Their expectations of this Kussak were high.
The steam house I was invited to was recently completed. Built by a local man adept at carpentry. It turned out to be solidly constructed and, as I’d find out later, superbly caulked and heat tight.
As I drove the four-wheeler down the road and toward his steam house I smiled knowing I was about to give the men a rude awakening with my ability to stand (or sit in this case) the heat.
I parked, grabbed my bag, and proudly strutted down the boardwalk toward the steam house. When I opened the door my attitude changed and my ego took a huge hit. Several men were cooling off lying on the floor and sitting on the lone bench lining the left wall. And all of them had smoke rising from their red skin. “This isn’t a good sign,” I thought.
My initial impression was confirmed a bit later when I entered the actual steam area. The temperature was already almost unbearable to me, but like any good guest I forced myself through the opening and closed the door behind me. I’d been cooking for probably less than a minute when someone joined me. I told him to take his time coming in. The longer the door is held open the more heat he lets escape. He knew that and ignored me. My skin simmered.
About the second time I came out of the “fire room” and struggled to get up one of the men got up from the bench and told me to sit there. I guess they heard my knees creaking and me grunting a little. After I sat on the bench they told me that that was my place. They were going to write “Kip” on the wall above it. “Cool,” I managed to say while dripping sweat. I knew then I’d be back.
Darkness had settled in by the time I left for the night. As I walked up the boardwalk I felt something nipping at my heels. I looked down and it was a dog I’d later learn was named Benny. He followed me to the four-wheeler and then jumped up on the seat and wiggled his body to the rear luggage rack and lay down. He was ready to go. He was quite a friendly fellow. Either that or he smelled freshly cooked meat. Didn’t know for sure, but I did know he couldn’t go home with me. I clapped my hands and shoed him off. Then I began the trip across the village to the teacher housing.
As I drove home I felt good. The red battle scars I got will go away and my pores might close eventually. I can’t wait for the next time…and the next…and the next…
(Don't forget to check out Tundra Teacher Tales in paperback or e-book form. Simply log onto www.booklocker.com/books/973.html).

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9/24/08

What?

Last week all the Site Administrators in LKSD met in Bethel for an in-service. The information was interesting to me. There was a mix of old and new information along with small group discussions and problem solving on different scenarios.
Usually, I end up rejuvenated, refreshed, and usually go back to site ready to implement all the good things we learned after attending an in-service. There is no way it all can be done. It isn’t expected, but I did walk away with some new vocabulary that may serve me well in this politically correct society.
To protect the guilty, no names will be attributed to the intricately placed words; nor do I intend to take credit for them. My newly acquired words and phrases are in quotations scattered throughout this column. It was day two of the in-service before I thought to write them down. I don’t quite remember all of them, but I will “tell you what I think I know.”
Overall the district has a great staff. There are some (including me) that have their quirks. Sometimes I am too social and there are those who possess minimal social skills. Apparently, we can be referred to as having a “social malfunction.”
We did an exercise on evaluating teachers that required us to identify the good teachers (our “Superstars”), those who needed a bit of coaching to improve, and the teachers who needed to drastically improve. There were six fictional instructors on the chart from which to choose (Ms. K, Mrs. B, Mr. Z, Mrs. C, Mr. S, and Ms. Y). Based on the information given, our Superstars were easy to pick out. However, they turned out to be Mrs. B and Mr. S. Go figure. How do you continue to support B and S?
Sometimes we Site Administrators have to write a Plan of Improvement for an employee. It isn’t something we live for. Even if you are not the recipient of the Plan, you can probably relate to the summary of emotions that it is “not a fun kind of thing.”
One exercise required us to jot some things down we may need during the discussion. We were told to “do what we normally do” and then “to use the back side” of the paper to make notes.
We know that until someone is found guilty, he/she allegedly committed the crime. Do you know what the person is called before they go criminal? They are at risk for being “potentially alleged.”
It makes sense in a warped sort of way. That is one reason I couldn’t resist making fun of it. Society itself is malfunctioning. I think I know a lot. B and S sure encompass some things that go on. Being reprimanded by my superior is not fun. I don’t know if I will ever figure out what is normal to me so I’m glad someone told me what side of the paper to use.
You may not see things this way and that is okay. I “don’t disagree.”

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10/8/08

Busy October

October sure snuck up on us this time. Why just last week it was September.
Each month of the year has its own character and brings with it certain expectations.
This is our 11th October in Alaska and some things haven’t changed.
Education wise the month of October is referred to as “count month.” It is usually the first 20 school days (four weeks) of the month. During that time - and that time only - the amount of funding for the school’s next year’s budget is determined. It is calculated by the ADM (average daily attendance) during those 20 days.
Here’s how it works. If a school has 100 students, but their ADM after the four weeks is 95, then they only receive the per student money for 95 students and not 100. Presently, I believe it is around $5,000.00 per student. The count period began early this time. It runs from September 29th through October 24th. So please make sure your children attend school every day – all day.
A couple things play havoc on children and complicate the matter.
First, daylight is becoming less each….uh…day. Some students only notice this in the mornings. They stay up as if darkness never arrived, but sleep late as if it will never leave. We can’t control the sun or moon, but we can brighten our kid’s morning by turning on their bedroom light. We can instill the joy of not wasting a minute of life by waking them up early and getting them off to school.
Secondly, the PFD checks are always timed perfectly for the State’s benefit. Most of the time they arrive just before or during count month. This sets off a frenzy of traveling which results in absenteeism from the village and school. Two things happen. Soon the money is gone, but the State will still demand the taxes. And school’s ADM’s are lower meaning less money allocated to the site.
Sites on a four-quarter grading schedule realize that the first quarter ends this month. It is a good time for the staff to come together and reflect on what may or may not be working and make improvements. One item the kids and parents need to remember is that the quarter grade (good or bad) is essentially a progress grade. It is an indication of how the student is performing and if s/he is on tract to earn semester credit.
The report card could show superb performance and have everyone smiling. Or yes, the student may become ineligible to participate in extra-curricular activities if their grade is too low, but at least they will have more time on their hands to study. Thus, raising their grade.
October is always a challenge for the education system. The PFD’s, ADM’s, shorter daylight/longer darkness, and quarter grades are not the only things we look forward to. We also have the SIP (Site Improvement Plans) and our Accreditation Report to get done.
This year, as years past, LKSD secured new or renewed previous program grants to continue their commitment of improving the education for all the students of the district. We have teachers and administrators attending language planning, transition, ELD, writing/science, first and second year teacher training, and so forth. It seems October has it all – and we’re expected to do it all. No problem. We have 31 days this month.

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10/15/08

Out with the old? Never!

October 6, 2008 around 2:00PM things virtually stopped for a while at school. The Ecology class being broadcast went off the air. My phone rang with questions and concerns. One teacher even jokingly asked if he could send his students home. Other students sitting in the midst of hundreds of books in the little used library were lost. They didn’t have any idea what could be done. It wasn’t the end of the world – at least not by Armageddon standards. No – just the Internet went kaput.
I found out that the problem wasn’t centralized to only Eek. The system was down district –wide. It was put to me this way when I called the district office technology department, “The district (system) is fine. Anchorage is down.”
My initial thought was, “So.” Then I remembered that the district gets its Internet via satellite from Anchorage. Seems that our system relies on a server based in Bethel, which depends on a server in Anchorage and the big city server was having problems.
It would be a while before things were fixed.
In an instant the contrast between the generations showed itself. The kids “couldn’t” write their papers. The teachers were not able to use the classroom Smart Boards (a fancy whiteboard which is virtually a giant computer touch screen with speakers). It was like nothing could get done without the Internet up and running. Not true, but maybe because I am a member of one of– if not the - last generation who grew up without computer access, it sure seemed that way.
Adults from “our time” remember the old ways of surviving school. It was a time when learning and communication had a more meaningful personal touch. We talked to the person next to us instead of chatting through a web site. We know a library contains not only magazines with the latest gossip, but also books and newspapers and that researching a topic can still be done through encyclopedias. In fact, it is more enjoyable. You learn more. A pen or pencil and paper writes just as well when penning an essay or a letter. We also don’t mind reading an actual book instead of web pages.
Does retaining the old ways while embracing what you feel you need from the new sound familiar? Villagers, especially the Elders have always emphasized that. You never know when you may need to rely on skills learned in your youth whether it is in school, home, or on the tundra. It is technically (no pun intended) all learning.
We educators talk of having concrete, tangible items for our students to learn better. Wouldn’t that include novels, pens, pencils, and actual paper? We could also show them that there is a purpose to those little white cards in that mysterious chest in the library. They can hold and feel the novel they’re reading.
Yep, we can do a lot of things to spread the joy of the old ways, but they can argue that the new way of living is better. Why have pencils, pens, paper, novels, encyclopedias, etc when a computer is an all-in-one machine? Because in this unpredictable world you need to at least be exposed to the old ways of doing things – especially in rural Alaska.

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10/29/08

No Cash? No Problem.

We recently got back from Anchorage and learned a few things that will come in handy when planning our next trip. First, it is nice to know that the least expensive price isn’t always the best way to go. In some cases it will cost you more. The “service” industry is quickly losing its service.
Our costly experiences began in Bethel. The word “free” is being pushed aside. I’ve heard of airlines that are beginning to charge for items we once got free, but I hadn’t experienced it. Up until that time it was a “I’ll believe it when I see it” attitude. Well, I am now a believer.
I remember well the moment I felt the truth. I was reading a sign in the airline terminal lobby. It explained that snacks and meals would be five dollars. You could also rent what looked like a mini DVD player that was loaded with various movies, etc. You could buy $5.00 vouchers at the ticket counter to pay for them or you could pay with their debit/credit card during the flight. Cash would not be accepted. I guess the value of the dollar has sunk more than I realized.
After that, we had the fun TSA security check to endure. Irene went through without a problem. I threw our bottled water away and walked to the metal detector. The security guard signaled me to walk through. I almost did. The thing shrieked. I backed up and took off my wristwatch, walked forward, buzzed it again, then removed my belt, and made it through without setting the alarm off again. Eventually, it might be wise to fly in only swim trunks and a bag of food, snacks, and a dozen 3 oz bottles of water.
Airlines are one thing, but have you tried renting a car lately? We did and it is beginning to get interesting too. We booked our rental car through a popular web site that enabled us to find the “best” deal at the “lowest” price. Until we got to the car rental company at the Anchorage airport we were happy with our selection. For $221.00 (taxes, etc included) we had a car for a week with unlimited mileage. Too good to be true? You probably know that answer.
Did you know that if you use a debit card to pay for the purchase that they put an additional hold of $500.00? How about a second licensed driver this day and age? That will now set you back another $5.00 a day. But all was good. The gentleman upgraded our car (they always have) and gave us a big 5% discount. So actually our bill was around $7.00 less.
Only seven dollars off $262.00 didn’t seem right and the last time they only withheld $350.00 when we used the debit card. I found out that the 5% discount was only off the actual rental price (without taxes, etc) of $149.00. The $500.00 hold is because they said debit cards are hard to trace and they have had a couple of cars stolen.
I guess having the money in bank at the time of transaction isn’t acceptable anymore– and after our experiences on that trip, I know why. Our bank accounts contain only worthless cash.
Don't forget you can purchase Tundra Teacher Tales paperback or ebook online at www.booklocker.com/books/973.html.

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12/17/08

Untitled

Howdy and Merry Christmas to all. I apologize for not writing much this fall. It has been a busy semester at school. Things are slowing down now. I had a list of things to write about, but they are not what I would call “time sensitive” so I will include them in future columns. I’m still the same old me that keeps Murphy’s Law close at heart and Irene is still the one that seems to have become the one with interesting happenings when traveling.
Irene was to leave for Texas a week early to get our house ready for Christmas. As always, we keep a watch on the weather as our day of departure from Eek near and we noticed a storm was to roll soon so she took off to Bethel the day before her flight was to leave for Anchorage. I’m glad she did. The weather did turn bad the next morning and the jet was quite late getting to Bethel, but they managed to take off to Anchorage.
After the plane landed Irene called to tell me that they almost couldn’t land in the big city due to heavy fog. The pilot finally got clearance to land. She said that it was a very hard landing. “The airport just snuck up on them. It suddenly appeared,” she stated and then added, “When we landed everyone went (gasped).”
Once she got settled at the hotel she did what most women do with a day to kill downtown. She went shopping. Not to buy anything particular, but to see what was new. While in one shop she had to phoned me again to inform me of the latest selections in what I guess would be deemed toys. It seems that manufacturers are producing items that are…well…vastly different than when we were young’ins.
So if you are looking for that latest stocking stuffer read on.
For those who would like to demonstrate to their friends and family the strength of the Lord you can purchase a Jesus action figure. Close by is an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder action figure complete with a sanitizing wipe and a facemask. The male nurse figure was keeping a healthy watch over the others, but he doesn’t come with a facemask or a wipe.
There were also a couple of play sets for those who enjoy crime and are intrigued by gossip magazines. You can purchase a Paparazzi play set or an Angry Mob play set. It has nine figures that are a mix of male and female. One holds a rake, another a machete, a gun accompanies another figure, a fire stick adorns yet another, and one can’t leave out the good old "mobber" with a pitchfork.
Do you like murder mysteries and forensic shows and books - how about a “Death Spread” pen? You can make your own dead body chalk lines – only this time using a pen.
By now you might be ready to stop reading. Maybe your heart is beating faster. It could be that your mind is trying to make sense of it all. Not to worry, the store also had an item for sale to help you. How about one of those stress balls you squeeze with your hand to relieve the burden sound to you? There is one for sale that is a man in a fetal position.
Living in the bush one feels cut off from the “real world.” Some say we are missing things and are out of touch, but are we? It makes one wonder what, besides friends and family, are we truly missing?

Have Faith and Live With It

2007-12-16T10:09:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy almost New Year!
As another year comes to a close I again feel happy to have survived it. I haven’t experienced nearly as many death-defying adventures as I have in the past. My desire of knowingly tempting fate has drastically been reduced. My body’s limitations have become more pronounced recently and maybe – just maybe – I’ve grown a bit wiser.
Risk is a four-letter word that I had used quite often, but it has pretty much faded from my vocabulary. It has been replaced with two others - slow and easy. Life is better that way. I may not be able to literally stop and smell the roses in rural Alaska, but I do improvise. I pause now and then and smell whatever I want whenever I want to. It doesn’t take much time, especially when it is cold outside.
There is always something to do at work or home to keep me busy, but I’ve realized something after 46 years on God’s Green Earth. No matter how stressful or frustrating your work is you can’t get it all done in a day. It took God almost a week to finish project Earth. With the demands of our present society it is easy to get overwhelmed – and even harder to remember that you will get the important things done each day. Things do come together in the end, especially if you live on faith.
However, you need to prioritize your undertakings. For instance, the first item on God’s list when He tackled the impossible Earth Project was to turn the light on. It is still on. You just have to open your eyes.
Look around you and at first you will notice both bad and good. Now peer a bit closer and you can make out the good in everything. Sometimes emotions will blind your thinking and all you can do is dwell on the negative aspects of the situation and how it affects YOU without regards to others.
Take today, December 15, 2007, for example. I’m in Nunapitchuk chaperoning the Junior High Basketball Team. A few weeks ago, I had told the coach and site administrator that I would be happy to chaperone when needed. It turned out that this was the time and what did I do? I immediately thought of how my helping out would affect my schedule and my plans. My enthusiasm wasn’t very high, but then someone told me that if a certified teacher didn’t go, then the trip would be canceled. The other teachers had plans or didn’t want to go. I felt a bit guilty and agreed to go.
Now that I am here, all is good. I had never been to Nunapitchuk before, but have always wanted to. I’m glad I came. So yep, be careful of what you say. You have to live with it. It is like I tell my students, “You said it. It was your choice. So, quit whining and live with it.” It is good advice that I also need to remember.

I Need a Break

2007-12-08T10:49:00.000-08:00

Recently I’ve noticed that I am not the only one anticipating the Christmas Break. The students are also looking forward to the mid-year recouping period. We teachers are trying our utmost to get the kids to finish and/or make up their work as the semester comes to a close. Their young brains seem to be overloaded at times with schoolwork and excitement, but they still function rather well.
It isn’t easy for me to comprehend their energy. My ancient mind seems to fossilize now and then which gives them ample opportunity to flex their creativity and remind me that I am not as smart as I may think.
For instance last week we began incorporating a few Seasonal Crafts into the lessons to help the blah décor of the classroom. On one of the walls there are two old chalkboards separated by a narrow window. Using tape, a teacher aide covered the chalkboards with colorful paper and edged it with a stylish border.
Mid-week one of my students had finished his work and proceeded to color a design on a sheet of paper. When he was through he pointed to the papered wall and asked me if he could staple it up there. I was assisting another student at the time and without thinking I blurted, “Sure.”
A couple minutes later he called my attention to his success. His paper was stapled to the wooden trim of the window. Before I could ask him why he chose that particular spot he smiled and informed me that, despite what I thought, you can’t staple paper to a chalkboard.
There is also a large paper Christmas tree taking up a good portion of another chalkboard located on a second wall. The kids have been decorating it with hand made construction paper ornaments. At first they only cut out circular shapes and colored them. Then they progressed to gluing beads on the ornaments before taping them to the tree.
It was evident early on that the tape could only hold so much weight. The top of the “ornaments” would fall forward. It was only a matter of time before they fell off. It was time for Kip to come to the rescue.
I had remembered a trick that makes paper a bit sturdier and thought it might work. If the ornaments were not as flimsy then they would stick better. That was the theory. I squeezed some Elmer’s Glue in the center of a newly cut-out ornament, wet the index finger of my right hand, held the edges with two fingers of the left hand, and then with my the moist finger I spread the blob of glue all over it. The idea is that when the glue dries it will form a clear, waxy film. Thus, reinforcing the paper.
It looked like it would work until I pried my fingers from my sticky masterpiece. The thing immediately curled up. Apparently, glue contracts some when it dries. I can still hear them laughing at me. I didn’t understand it. I guess the teacher who showed me the process long ago knew some trick that she willingly did not care to share.
I had my shot. It was now the student’s turn to demonstrate her problem-solving skills. She finished another ornament, grabbed a glue stick, walked to the paper tree, rubbed some glue directly on the tree, and then pressed her ornament firmly on it.
Yep, after a week like that I feel a break is in order.

The Slanting Tundra Life

2007-11-30T07:18:00.000-08:00

Things change so much in our neck of the world. Nothing seems to stay on an even keel, including the tundra’s permafrost.
We, who choose to live in homes (or the end of a school building in my case) built on the ever-unstable tundra, know our residences sink and rise throughout the year. It is a given.
Presently, my “house” has sunk into the tundra a little on one end. I have to put 20 oz. bottles in the refrigerator door. Otherwise, they fall over if I place them on the shelf. Two closet doors are hard to open, but one storage room door doesn’t scrape the vinyl as much as it did in the fall. Although, our dining table’s legs are loose, the table is pretty stable. I have it against a wall on the down slope of the house.
Cooking with a round skillet on a stove that tilts to the left is fun. Until recently, I had the skillet handle to my left. That put extra weight on the wrong side. I had to lift up on the handle a bit when frying food so the oil would be evenly distributed. This allowed me to use the whole skillet bottom to cook instead of only the left half. Then I got a bright idea. I turned skillet so the handle to on the right. The handle weight evens out the skillet enough so I don’t have to hold it at all.
Sometimes pipes freeze and rupture. Sometimes you are unable to unlock a deadbolt without lifting or pushing down on the doorknob as the seasons change. But there are also a few good things that are discovered while living the slanting tundra life.
Thanks to the snow you find air leaks – at least I do. After the storm I went to our back porch arctic entryway and saw snow inside. That itself isn’t a surprise. It happens. The odd part was that now I have more housework to do. The light in the arctic entry is not bright. I had done a “man cleaning” of the place (swept the floor) when I first arrived. Now, thanks to snow blown in, I am able to see the various spider webs above the door and in the ceiling corners. The snow adhered itself to the webs. It now looks like I have snow starfish living there. Now I have to sweep the walls and ceiling.
Although probably not possible, it would be nice for contractors to know which side a building will sink over time. Then they could adjust their construction accordingly. All the doors could be mounted to swing toward the inevitable slant. Refrigerators and such would be installed against the “lower wall.” Heck, maybe they could invent stove burners that can be adjusted to help the pots/pans stay level when cooking. These are just some thoughts on how to solve an unsolvable problem.
For now and probable the foreseeable future the tundra will continue to shift with the season temperatures, even during mid-season. Two weeks ago we experienced winter storms, freezing temperatures, and snow. Excitement was building in anticipation of driving a vehicle on an ice road to Bethel. I was getting used to which doors opened easily. Then last week it warmed up and rained. A good percentage of the snow is gone now and the river isn’t as frozen. I’m sure that has set peoples’ travel plans back a few weeks.
I’m not complaining at all, just stating a few facts of bush life. You have to be flexible and have a sense of humor living “out here” because things do change, sometimes pretty rapidly. So, be safe this winter/spring season.
(Be sure and check out Tundra Teacher Tales in paperback or e-book at
www.booklocker.com/books/973.html)

Seasonal Thoughts

2007-11-24T13:54:00.000-08:00

I sure hope that your holiday season began with a large dead and delicious turkey on Thanksgiving and spending time with the ones you love. Did you put the shopping on the back burner – at least until the sales started – and actually talk to others during your family gatherings? Because a good, in-depth conversation affords you the opportunity to spread the joy of giving by letting people know exactly what you would like to receive.
Seriously though, the best gifts cannot be bought. They are free, never-ending, and very fulfilling. I’m referring to love and respect of your fellow neighbors. This includes the realization that everyone is different in his or her beliefs and personality, each have their own reasons for believing the way they do. However, sometimes things are taken too far.
Christmas vacations, feasts, and parties are now “Holiday” vacations, feasts, and parties. Celebrating the Birth of our Lord may be dwindling, but by golly the commercial aspect is still there. Exchange of gifts will take place as always. I’m not knocking the giving at all. I too take part in buying things for others and receiving gifts as well, but I do my best not to lose sight of what Christmas truly means to my family and me.
A recent article I ran read on the Internet centered on the objection of Santas using the phrase, “Ho, Ho, Ho.” Apparently, it seems that some people have the idea that the young kids who sit on Santa’s lap will immediately think that Santa is referring to prostitutes when he says, “Ho, Ho, Ho.” Instead, it was suggested that they use “ha, ha, ha” in place of “Ho, Ho, Ho.” I guess they figure it is better to laugh at kids (ha, ha, ha) than speak the universally recognized “Ho, Ho, Ho” which, by the way, is an interjection used to express joy or surprise.
I’ve seen articles that are banning Christmas cards in schools. It deals mostly with the religious aspect of cards, but one school came up with a lame reason. They said that it was best for the kids to make one big card together. That way kids don’t “waste paper on lots of little ones.” Thus, they are saving trees and doing their environmental duty. I think that one big impersonalized card would use just as much paper as several small personal, loving, expressive cards addressed and given to the ones they love.
There are other things that are stir controversy, but none more than when religion, politics, and money come into play. Christmas time seems to incorporate all three of them. That makes it a hot and vulnerable topic.
Christmas is considered a holiday and people celebrate this time of year in various ways. If someone wishes to display crosses and manger scenes around their home or have a menorah in full view, then that is their right. We don’t have to conform or change our ways. If a person does not wish to take part in a school play or eat certain foods that is also their right. Let’s not judge or punish personal beliefs that are perfectly legal.
It is impossible to make everyone happy. I’ve tried for years. The impossible is apparently built into my character, as I will most likely continue trying to please everyone. However, in doing so I won’t compromise my personal beliefs – and I don’t expect others to either.
This is still America and whether you agree or not, it will always be a Nation that was founded under God. We have (and He allows us) the freedom to believe or not believe in a higher power. So let us keep the freedom and not impose policies and laws that hinder our inalienable rights.

Yep - Winter is Here

2007-11-17T18:23:00.000-08:00

It looks like winter is finally here. Although it took a while this year, the signs of an impending winter have been around for a few weeks.
The boats have been out of the river for a while. But that didn’t stop subsistence gathering. I’ve witnessed people fishing through what seemed like very thin ice. There was one dedicated man I noticed almost daily ice fishing. One day he sat on what looked like an overturned bucket on the ice jigging for fish while water flowed down the open center of the river. A few days later there was a net strung under the ice. Around the same time it looked like he was standing on water. Apparently he was standing in a few inches of overflow fishing again.
As the temperature began to drop and others began venturing on the thinly frozen river to try their luck, I wondered and asked, “Why the rush to gather food? They would have all winter to fish.”
I found out that this particular river in this area freezes solid. You can’t fish it in the dead of winter unless you are fishing for river bottom. People have to travel a few miles to fish. When that happens I just might feel comfortable enough to walk out on the “river.”
Another sign that winter had arrived is the ability for people to travel across the tundra by snow machine or even four wheelers. Add the holiday season celebrations and it is good for villages. Instead of only attracting the local population and people with enough money to pay for a flight to the various events, people from surrounding villages are able to make the trip and enjoy the festivities rather inexpensively. Several people can pile into a sled pulled by a snow machine and the fuel cost can be split between them. That leaves funds for a good time and brings in more attendees. It is a good thing for all.
The ability to make runs to the trash dump is another item worth mentioning. I’m not exactly sure where the dump is for Atmautluak, but I’ve heard it is up river and then a good walk from the shore. Spring, summer, and fall you have to put the trash in a boat and then haul it over the tundra to the dump. It isn’t an easy job when the river is open and quite impossible when the river is in the process of freezing up. Therefore, the trash had been piling up for a couple of weeks. Not anymore. The trash has now been taken to the dump cross-tundra style.
Hunting large game is simpler during the winter months. Hunters can put all their gear in a sled and head out. When they wish to make camp they just stop and set up. They can also pull right up to a catch and not have to pack the animal out on foot. It is convenient, easier, and usually more productive.
Winter does bring its share of difficulties. No season is exempt from their share of difficulties. I don’t carry a whole slew of emergency items on my person (except when traveling), but I do like to have a lighter and a flashlight with me at all times. The lighter comes in handy if locks are frozen. The flashlight is good for the short winter days. They do tend to be of use.
Almost daily you see or hear someone banging on a snow machine or four-wheeler. It is a given that bearings, axles, tracks, or the like will freeze up at some point. The best way to loosen them is hitting the area with a heavy tool like a hammer. Most of the time it works without damaging the equipment, but guys like fixing things that way whether it does the trick or not.
Yep, winter is among us. Let’s all be safe and look out for one another.

Lore Learning

2007-11-12T07:05:00.000-08:00

The other day we were clearing Yupik(the Eskimo language in our area of Alaska)books and materials off a shelving unit in my classroom. The items were being moved to one of the Yupik First Language rooms in another building. During the ruckus one of the special education aids found a few copies of a very interesting and enlightening book. She set them on my desk to show me.
I immediately picked one up and thumbed through it.
You old-timers may remember the work and even may have had a hand in putting the book together. I think it is fantastic. It is titled, “Yupik Lore – Yuut Qanemciit, Oral Traditions of an Eskimo People – Yupiit Cayaraita Qanrutkumallrit.”
The copies are blue, hard back, first editions published by the Lower Kuskokwim School District in 1981. The books are filled with over 250 pages of stories collected by Bethel Regional High School Students between 1975 and 1980. The students had taped Elders from Bethel and surrounding villages as they told stories of Eskimo history, culture, customs, Eskimo know-how, myths, legends, and plain short stories. These were then collected, transcribed and organized in a book. “Yupik Lore…” appeals to gussaq's (white man) as well as natives; even numbered pages are written in Yupik while the odd numbered pages have the English translation. You open the book and have the same information in two languages. Not bad.
As always, if one takes the time to listen – really listen – to an Elder a lot can be learned about how generations survived in the unforgiving bush. The book is interesting. Below are some things that were written and what I learned.
I now know how to get rid of a ghost by placing my hand on its head and with only the weight of my arm to push it into the ground. If I use any force the ghost will just pop back up. Hope I never have to use this.
Spears, bows, and arrows were the way to catch game at one time. It was more physical and intricate than using a gun. I’d starve.
Aged urine was used to wash clothes. Then they’d rinse them with water. It stated that “They got just as clean as if they had been washed in soapy water. ”(p. 135)
Of course fur and skin clothing and footwear was all the rage at the time. In fact, it was the only style of the day, and for good reason. I own a hat made from beaver fur. My head has sweated when I’ve worn it outside in 20 below weather.
Food was scarce, but more nutritious in those days. People were careful not to waste food. It was a huge chore to go out and fish, trap, and hunt to feed a family. Things changed. The “…diet now includes white man’s food, (and people) act as if they don’t have to be too careful about food” because “Today people act as though everything were readily available to them…” (p. 111). I believe there is truth in that statement.
A neat winter survival tip I learned on page 139 was that if you fall through the ice and into water then “dip your hat or mitten in the water and then slam it hard on the ice. When it stuck to the ice (you) could use it for support and get yourself out.” The writing also advised to drink urine to warm you or someone else up that is freezing.
These are only a few of the many, many tricks of the Eskimo captured forever in a superb book. There is so much more information hiding in the pages. I haven’t finished reading it yet, but will. The trick for this gussaq is to remember the valuable advice if I ever need it.

Voc. Ed. in Atmautluak

2007-11-04T22:31:00.000-08:00

It is difficult for a lot of the schools in rural Alaska to offer vocational programs. Buildings and equipment are expensive and qualified vocational teachers are at times hard to find, but now and then luck can be on the side of education.
Thanks to a grant a vocational instructor is “making the rounds” to a few villages in LKSD. I’m not exactly sure how the particular schools were chosen. All I know is that Atmautluak was one of them and will have a vocational program until around Thanksgiving.
Driver’s Education and Small Engine Repair will be offered. Originally, welding was to be offered as well. The students were to learn the trade using a simulator, but there was a problem getting the machine to Atmautluak. That is okay. If you can get two out of three things accomplished in the bush you are doing good.
The courses will not be based on the hours a student spends in a classroom as semester-based subjects are, but rather to receive high school credit one has to master the objectives of the class. Technically, they are like the district’s phase system – a type of standards-based curriculum.
These vocational opportunities will not take away from a student’s daily class schedule. It will only add to it. They are offered in the evenings and on Saturdays. This will also help the students be responsible and follow through on their decision. Oh, and I hear a few adults in the community would like to take part in Driver’s Ed. I assume they will have the chance. However, I don’t think I will be one of them.
As it is, people who have had the pleasure of riding with me while I’m behind the wheel probably wonder how I even survive when I’m driving by myself. They are not with me watching where I’m going (or to tell me where to go).
When I do have passengers, they usually have the seatbelt tight, hands securely gripped on the door handle or dashboard, and their eyes are looking out for me (or them?). I continue to be in awe at how large a person’s eyes can get and how much stress a heart can take. Anyway, I’d hate to sit through the class and be reminded of all my faults. For me, I don’t see the point. Besides, my license is still valid. Why mess that up?
I’m not sure if adults will be allowed to go through the Small Engine repair course. I didn’t ask. Maybe I should. Although I wouldn’t be the teacher, the students could learn a lot by having me work on an engine – mainly how not to fix it.
To say I’ll probably keep my distance from the classes and not be nosey would be like…well…lying. I know I won’t be able to resist checking out the equipment and engines, but I’ll try to keep in mind what my wife tells me when we go shopping. Whenever we enter a store “just to browse” that has items displayed on open shelves she states with a loving smile, “Look, but don’t touch anything.” She is keenly aware of how well coordinated I can be.
In regards to the small engine repair class - if I were to touch one of the engines that needed repair, I’d probably total it. It can happen with me and that’s no lie.

Halloween Happenings

2007-10-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

(Will be published on Halloween 10/31/07 in the Delta Discovery Newspaper)

Happy Halloween Everyone!
Each new village I move to has their own way of recognizing this scary time. I hadn’t really thought about what would be going on that day, but leave it to the students to remind me.
A week or so ago I noticed some Halloween artwork displayed in classrooms and the hallways. I began to feel my students were left out and it was my fault. Therefore, I started planning some activities that would bring my classroom up to par with the others.
Soon there were a few things on the wall. That was a beginning.
The next day a couple of my students asked me, in as few words as humanly possible, “What you Halloween?” I said, “What.” They repeated, “What you Halloween?” Again, I responded, “What?” It wasn’t that I couldn’t hear them; I wanted to make sure my almost deaf ears were listening correctly. I resorted to asking one of the teacher aids what they had said. She told me they had said, “What you Halloween?” I’ll never learn to just keep my mouth shut. Finally I got what they were asking. Translation: do I have a costume and what is it? You gotta love their vocabulary. I do.
I told them that I was born in my costume and grew scarier over the years. That got a laugh, but it didn’t satisfy them. In reality I had no idea. I wasn’t planning on wearing a costume. So, I guess I’ll go to school dressed as a teacher on Halloween. That will teach them.
At a staff meeting last week the issue of a Halloween Carnival was on the agenda. We had wondered what, if anything, would take place. From my understanding (which I hope is right) the Atmautluak Tribal Council will host a costume and a pumpkin-carving contest amid some games and other activities at the school. There isn’t a door-to-door trick or treat. Instead, the whole community gathers in the school gym after the event and forms a line. Everyone goes down the line with a bag to trick or treat. Each person puts something in the bag. It sounds good and I would imagine keeps safety in check and gets everyone home at a reasonable hour.
One of the new teachers asked how many would be there? We were told that there could be 200 – 250 people. I immediately wondered to myself if I had enough candy, but that thought was put to rest when another teacher spoke. Apparently others were thinking the same thing. He suggested that you be one of the first to go through the line collecting goodies. Then you simply stand back in line and hand out the candy that you got. He provided us with a good laugh and solved my problem in the process.
I’m looking forward to experiencing this community’s way of celebrating Halloween. However, November 1st is a school day and the buildings will be full of kids on a “sugar high.” Am I a happy camper about that? You bet – because I’ll be on the same high. It will be sweet!

First Trip as Coach Kip

2007-10-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

(Note: Bethel is a city 18 miles away from Atmautluak. It is a treat to get out of the village for a day or two. Some students' villages are over 100 miles. It is an awesome treat for them to go to Bethel.)

This year I volunteered to coach the school speech teams. The whole junior high speech “team” (consisting of one student) and I recently returned from a district competition in Bethel. It was my first time as Coach Kip, but the student’s third year competing.
The trip went really well. It helps when the student you are responsible for is himself a responsible, respectable young man. Some people (yes, even teenagers) are trustworthy.
During the coach’s meeting at the LKSD district office my “team” hung around and visited with friends from other villages in the lobby. We then located a quiet place for him to practice his speech for there was a lot of competition.
Roughly 150 students from 18 or so villages were entered in the various English and Yupik speech categories (Humorous, Expository, Dramatic, etc), all vying for first place in their group. The competition consisted of four rounds spread over a couple of days. During the first three rounds the students performed their speeches in front of two judges behind closed doors.
The judges used a rubric to score the students and only the ones who scored in the top third in each category moved on to the third round. Then the field is narrowed down to only a few. They proceed to the final forth round where they perform their speeches one more time in front of judges AND an audience of students and coaches. This round determines who places first, second, etc.
My “whole” team had made it to the third round and he was happy. He told me that it was the furthest he had gotten in any of the competitions he had entered. He may not have made the final round, but his attitude sure earned him first place in my book. From the beginning, he didn’t wish ill will on anyone – only the best.
A couple hours after the final round there was an awards ceremony complete with a pizza dinner. It was followed by a dance at Bethel Regional High School – a dance so different than I remember when I was their age.
I recall that the males were on one side of the room and the females on the other. The dance floor separated the two genders. The males spent their time trying to get the nerve to go ask a female to dance while the females would gently sway to the music wishing for an invite to dance. Eventually, most would find himself or herself on the dance floor with a partner. However, there were some people by the end of the night that didn’t dance at all. They went to the dance, stood around, and then went home. Believe me, I know.
Of course the coaches and other adults chaperoned and monitored the entrances to ensure a safe environment for the event. That wasn’t any different, but the dance was. People congregated on the benches and couches socializing while others danced – with whomever or went to the dance floor alone and had at it. If they wanted to dance they simply would. If they chose to socialize, that was fine too. It didn’t matter. I was in awe and somewhat envious of their carefree attitude. They attended the dance to have fun and by golly they did.
In mid November I, as coach and the male chaperone, along with a female chaperone will escort the high school speech team to Bethel for their competition. The only difference with this trip is the team is coed, but I’m not worried. The team members have shown me through their actions that they respect each other and authority, rules, and policy.
I’m looking forward to accompanying the high school team of young men and women from Joann Alexie Memorial School in Atmautluak to Bethel for their speech competition. It should go just as smoothly.

Time for School

2007-10-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

The first quarter of the school year is coming to a close. It is a time to reflect on what the students and I have learned and what skills should be addressed again. Because in life you will make mistakes and not understand some things that happen.
Ready? Let’s go to school. Below are today’s schedule, objectives and synopsis of what will be covered. Classes begin now.
Period 1: Government – Fairness/Equal Distribution of Funds
For the second year in a row our school met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as set forth in the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. This dropped us back to a level zero. We are good to go now. Although it isn’t required to make a School Improvement Plan, it was done anyway. Writing down and working toward goals works, so why stop now?
The government recognized and rewarded our achievement by taking away thousands of dollars from the budget. That will put a damper on the very programs that helped us get knocked off the school improvement list. We are expected to continue the upward rise in test scores without the money. Makes sense – government wise.
Period 2: Science – Effects of the Weather
When it is a warm day some students seem lethargic. They are tired and it takes some encouraging to get them on task.
However, wake up to cold temperatures and you have kids that are full throttle. They are constantly on the move. I assume they are trying to stay warm.
Period 3: Mathematics - Time
The art of telling time should be reviewed, as some students only know portions of hours and minutes through the day. They don’t have a problem with knowing how late they stayed up before going to bed or how little sleep they had. They have also mastered knowing when a class is over, when breakfast and lunch start, the exact time school is let out for the day, and when any extra-curricular activity they may participate in begins.
What should be emphasized for some are the times that classes start so they are not tardy.
Lunch-30 minutes (most eat within ten)
Period 4 – History
We all know that history is the past. The students know that too. What we may want to do is to let them in on the old saying that, “History repeats itself.”
If you wore a light jacket last year when it was 25 degrees and you were cold all day, then the same will happen again unless you dress more appropriately. If you run on a slick boardwalk you will eventually fall down. If you push another person, they will push back. If you don’t do your assignments, you will not get good grades - and so on.
Period 5-Language Arts
Although frustrating to learn at first, reading and writing are a necessity. You will use these skills until you die and in everything you do. To get a driver’s license you need to know how to read road signs and the written test. Purchase a certain candy bar or pop requires reading. To hook up a dish receiver cable you should know how to read the connection labels.
Writing has changed. As a teacher I find that what is acceptable grammatically now wasn’t when I learned. The present generation was raised with technology from birth are bilingual. True English is their second language. Their first language seems to be Email Lingo/slang comprised of mostly short acronyms.
Period 6 – Elective – Free Choice
Yes, times have changed. It seems as though anything to save a second and/or make it easier to multi-task is now acceptable. Do I feel out of touch? Sometimes. Do I wish to dramatically alter my ways to “conform?” Not really. It is their generation.
Our generation grew up in the 1960’s and 70’s. We too were misunderstood and even shunned by some in the generation that proceeded us. It is a fact of life. The best lesson we can teach is to respect others’ differences, and pursue your own dreams. It is your life. - Your choice.

Getting Used to Me

2007-10-07T12:57:00.000-07:00

One of the things I was told when I took the job in Atmautluak that there is a TV satellite dish that the teachers can tap into. All we’d have to do is run cable to our home, get a receiver, order programming, and pay our own bill. That eliminates any misconceptions or bill discrepancies. It is fair and logical. Not a bad deal.
A couple of weeks ago it was time to run a cable to my house. We (meaning the site administrator while I watched) first drilled a hole through the outside wall and inserted a co axle cable. Then “we” put an end on the cable. The site administrator (SA) went outside to connect the cable leaving me to attach the other end to the satellite receiver.
We tested it, but couldn’t get a signal.
Thinking the cable was bad; we found another cable to try. After we switched them we went into my house. He put a new end on the cable, crimped it and then began to connect it to the back of the receiver. At that time I chose to open my big mouth without thinking. As I watched him attach the cable to the back of the receiver I happened to say something like, “We didn’t have it there last time. We put it here,” I said pointing to a different outlet.
I thought he was going to faint. I thought about it myself. He kindly explained that I had put the first cable where a TV Antennae should go and that the connection with the word “Satellite” written by the satellite symbol was where the satellite cable goes.
He connected the cable in its rightful place and we gave it a shot - still no signal. The SA then went to his house and hooked up the cable to an unused splitter.
Back in my house we saw the familiar bright red line on the TV screen meaning no signal. Then he pushed a button on the remote and it worked. We were only picking up the odd numbered transponders, but at least we figured the cable was okay. He explained that for some reason that splitter won’t allow even numbered transponders. That is why they don’t use it. But, he had an idea to take care of the situation.
I was going to Bethel soon so he asked me to pick up another cable. At the present we were using two different lengths of cable to go to a main junction box where all housing cables begin. He told me to get one long enough to go all the way to the main junction box. Using one long cable instead of two would be better. I measured the distance and phoned in the cable order so it would be ready.
Apparently, I heard “new cable,” but not “main junction box.” I came back with enough to run the same way we had run the other two. Thanks to me the SA’s brilliant idea became void. But, at least we had a new cable to run halfway.
While we were at it, the SA logically decided to go ahead and run three cables to take care of all the housing. That way we only had to do it once. He found and tested three cables. They all worked beautifully. Two of them were the ones we had originally strung to my house. It wasn’t my place to say anything, but I couldn’t resist. I laughed and told him, “It will take you a while to get used to me.”
He didn’t dispute that fact.
After installing the new cable to my house and running the other three cables it was time to test my receiver again. We were in front of my TV looking at the familiar bright red line showing no signal.
We were at a loss on why nothing was working and the SA was heading off to go hunting. He showed me where he connected all the cables and basically said he would leave me with it to figure it out. Talk about faith. With my help it had only taken us four hours to do an hour job – unsuccessfully.
Nevertheless, he left to go kill something leaving me to scratch my baldhead. I guess I needed a good scratching because I ended up figuring it out. I don’t know how I did it, but I got a good signal to my house and also a neighbor’s. My all-afternoon hour job was done.
Maybe one theory to my success is that I am used to me and know how to handle myself.

A Friend’s Passing

2007-09-29T23:57:00.000-07:00

I had a column in the making, but it will have to wait for another time. I just got word that a friend of mine, Alexie Nicholai Jr., passed away this morning, September 28, 2007. He was around my age.
The odd thing is that I was just talking about him to someone this afternoon while waiting at the airport in Bethel to catch a flight back from a CPR training I attended.
Now, I’m not going to write about thinking of my own mortality. We all do that from time to time. Rather, I’d like to reminisce a bit about Alexie.
I first met Alexie when I was site administrator in Oscarville from 2000-2003. He was the maintenance man at school and as far as I know he still held that position. He’d work hard and make sure things were running smoothly. All the while he’d be upbeat and have the attitude that he could fix anything. Generally, he could.
People say it is best to keep boss/employee relationship as it is and not grow into friendship. That has always been one of my weak spots and it has brought so many good people in my life. Our friendship grew. He’d invite me to steams, rescued me when I did something dumb, and gave me the confidence to travel by snow machine to Bethel on the frozen river or tundra.
Since Oscarville doesn’t have an airport one has to either cross the river to Napaskiak and catch flight or use the river to get places. After winter sets in you can travel on the tundra. However, during freeze up or break-up the river is basically closed – or so I thought.
Alexie and others who grew up in the area would somehow make it to Bethel during those times. He casually explained it to me one time, “You (Gussaks) are stuck. We (natives) are never stuck.”
He also taught me that distance is seen differently between the cultures. Getting from point A to point B may be “within walking distance” or “just right over there” to him, but it could be three miles.
Alexie would use the term “a bit” frequently. “I’ll be there in a bit,” is one thing I remember. I use the word “bit” often now. It can refer to five minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or years. No one knows and that is what makes it great. If no one can put a time limit to “bit,” then you can’t hold a person accountable for not being on time.
Even though I haven’t run into him for a few years the memories have always been there. Alexie may not have known how he touched our lives and left an impression, but I believe he does now.
One day we will all meet our demise. No one knows when that time will be. It can be five minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or years. So to Alexie I say, “I’ll see you in a bit. You may not be within walking distance, but you are just right over there.”
Irene and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family to Alexie Nicholai. They will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

My Blooming Flower

2007-09-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

“I never win anything,” I complained to the guy sitting next to me as I wrote my name on a ticket and dropped it in the container with the rest of the entries. We were at a special education inservice in Bethel and I was about to swallow that sentence.
My name was the first one drawn and I got to go pick a door prize from the many on a table. All of them were wrapped and a triangular package caught my eye. It was flimsy when I picked it up, but I have always been told, “Your first choice is usually right.”
Remembering that line I proudly walked back to my seat knowing I made the right decision. Then I tore off the wrapping and unfolded a fuzzy, green, plastic, blow-up flower with a clear back and a suction cup in the center.
I figured you blow the thing up making it look like it was in bloom, moisten the suction cup, and stick it on a window. Now, when I put stuff in or on a window it is to show the item to those outside. If I did that to my flower only those indoors would get the whole blooming affect.
I took a couple of pictures and sent them to my wife. She didn’t seem all that interested in keeping my beautiful flower. Then I emailed another teacher who had won not one, but two door prizes. Her reply basically said that, “it would bring out (or get me in touch with) my feminine side.” That was all I needed.
There had to be something more to it. I’d have to ask people and actually show it to them to find out. I could have simply wrote a short email to the special education department for an explanation of my fabulous prize, but that didn’t occur to me until now when I got to this point in my column.
The flower rested comfortably out of sight in a closed file drawer for a few days. Every time I opened the drawer I’d see it and wonder what it’s purpose was. I couldn’t very well give it away if I didn’t know. Besides, I might want to hang on to it if I found out it had a useful function.
An answer came during a meeting at school. I don’t recollect how the subject came up and now I don’t care, but I ended up showing the flower to the group. After a few laughs I got a surprise. I came away with a logical explanation. Someone told me that it might be a bath pillow. I could stick it on the edge of the tub and rest my head on it. Now the fuzzy, green, plastic, blow-up pillow had a use – and it was mine.
I’ll have to try it. A nice, long, hot bath (minus my feminine side) will probably feel good.

A Fall Theory

2007-09-21T11:57:00.000-07:00

The Fall season is almost officially among us. Don’t exactly know what that means in these parts of the tundra. When I peer out my window all I see are clouds and rain. It has been that way for a month. Step outside and the wind is added to the equation. I haven’t quite figured out the answer to how one can call this particular type of weather Fall, but I do have a theory.
Based on the world of astronomy seasons are determined by either the equinox or the solstices. In the world of Kip it is based on observation and logical explanations.
The sun is known to rise and set daily. Maybe not in the uppermost northern hemisphere, but it does elsewhere. Here the sun just “Falls” this time of year – and falls and falls…
It is the same with the rain. It Falls – constantly.
The wind? I believe that it has fulfilled its part beautifully. Without the wind blowing summer away, we’d still be stuck in that gorgeous time of fishing the rivers and picking wild berries on the tundra. No one wants that.
With wet, slippery boardwalks and metal gratings we tend to fit right into the season. We Fall.
Let’s not forget the clouds. They are full with precipitation. This makes them very heavy. No high dry puffs of cirrus clouds here. We are blessed with obese white blobs that Fall close to earth.
It is just a weird time of year. We tend to say, “Well, summer’s over.” Or we look to the future and blurt out, “Winter is coming.”
We plainly forget that there is a Fall season. There aren’t any multi-colored leaves on almost treeless tundra to gauge the season. What we have here is a calendar that states Fall has begun because we passed the solstice. Therefore, one has to look at the obvious signs of nature as I have.
Granted, my theory may be unfounded and based on looking through drowned windows and wet eyeglass lenses, but it works for me. But don’t you worry; it won’t be something I will pass on to my students. I’m obligated to teach the approved curriculum and state education standards.
However, if the State Board of Education ever decides to go with my theory I will be more than happy not to take the credit. My career would Fall…and fall…and fall.

Here's Some Good News

2007-09-14T00:13:00.000-07:00

Through the years I’ve been in the Kuskokwim Delta I have lived in, visited, or just seen from the airport several villages and school sites in LKSD. They are Oscarville, Napaskiak, Napakiak, Akula, Akiuk, Nunapitchuk, Atmautluak, Chefornak, Kongiganak, Kwigillingok, Newtok, Nightmute, Toksook Bay, Tununak, Tuntutuliak, Mekoryuk, Kilbuck, and Bethel Regional High School.
Others like Kwethluk, EEK, Kipnuk, Quinahagak I have only seen from the air while flying to other villages. Then there are the two that I’ve heard a lot about and have wanted to visit – Good News Bay and Platinum.
If you'd like to you can go to lksd.org and see the district map to give you an idea of how spread out the district is.
September 7, 2007 I was presented with a last minute opportunity to accompany the Atmautluak Cross Country team to Good News Bay for a meet. The planes would pick them up in thirty minutes. I didn’t think twice and was ready to go in fifteen. The planes arrived were on Bush time. They landed about forty-five minutes late. That was fine with me. I was still going.
It was a windy, turbulent take-off, but after we got a few hundred feet in the air it was a pretty smooth ride. I sat in front. It is neat up there and I can watch the radar and see where we are in relation to our destination.
About an hour later the mountains came into view. I glanced at the radar and to me it looked like we were veering off course. Being a nosey person and knowing that the pilot has the training and license I asked him why we seemed to be “off course.” I can’t remember his exact words, but it boiled down to avoiding the unpredictable winds that whip around the mountains. It worked for me.
A few minute later we landed. As we climbed out of the plane the wind and rain met us face-on. We quickly threw our luggage in a waiting SUV and were driven to the school. After we got settled and ate dinner I investigated the school, met their new staff and visited with the ones I knew who were still working there. Before long it was lights out for me.
The next morning we were greeted with wonderful breakfast and time to spare before the Cross Country meet would begin. While the teams and coaches walked the course, I decided to check out the village, beginning with the store.
I hadn’t got far from the school when a villager offered me a ride. Again, I didn’t have to think twice and hopped on his four-wheeler.
The store in Good News Bay was impressive. It had such a great variety of items. I could have easily gone broke, but I restrained myself.
After checking out the store I slowly walked back to the school snapping digital pictures along the way. It didn’t take much imagination to see how beautiful the place is when the rain and clouds are gone and the sun is shining.
The Cross Country competition began around noon. I’m glad the kids were running and not I. The course’s route took them up and down two mountains, to the airport, by the shore, and back to the starting line. I think it was around 2 miles. I got tired just watching them.
Soon afterwards it was time to get ready to catch our flight back. It was one time that I kind of wished we had gotten weathered in. There was more I wanted to see and do in Good News Bay. I didn’t have the chance to walk the whole village or the beach. Neither was I able to see Platinum due to the low clouds.
Maybe I’ll get to go back to Good News Bay at some point. Maybe I won’t. At least I have the memories and a few pictures. I can reminisce and think about it – probably more than twice.
(Tundra Teacher Tales is available in paperback or an immediate E-book download. Go to www.booklocker.com/books/973.html)

Village Photos, etc.

2007-09-09T22:43:00.000-07:00

Good Evening-
Today will be a very short entry as it is getting late. However, don't worry click on the link below to see a bunch of pictures from some of the twenty-one villages in the Lower Kuskokwim School District.
http://www.lksd.org/sped/photos.html
I've worked, visited, or just landed at several of them: Newtok, Mekoryuk, Tununak, Nightmute, Toksook Bay, Kasigluk-Akiuk, Kasigluk-Akula, Goodnews Bay, Nunapatchuk, Napaskiak, Oscarville, Napakiak, Chefornak, Tunt, Kong, Kwigillingok, Atmautluak, and of course ME, BRHS, and Kilbuck located in Bethel.
I can't say I have an overall favorite village or school in Alaska as a lot of factors go into making a decision like that. Each one has its good and bad points. Essentials such as water, sewer, heat, food play a part, but you also have to consider the weather. Blizzards and high winds will occur. That is a fact. Planes won't fly and you can get stuck for days in a village unable to fly out. If you can live with the isolation and be flexible on traveling, then you might have the demeanor to work in Rural Alaska.
Until next time.

How/why I Ended up in Alaska and Helpful Educator Links

2007-09-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

Last century - 1996 to be exact we traveled to Fairbanks, Alaska to visit my sister. I had just started teaching in Texas, but instantly was turned on to the vastness and beauty of The Last Frontier.
We had a blast for that summer week. There was the overnight fishing trip on an isolated lake accessible by float plane only. The tourist paddle boat trip. The six hour car trips to Valdez and Anchorage. I made the decision at that time to look into the teaching opportunities that were available.
I began at the Alaska's State Education Department's web site, www.eed.state.ak.us/. There is a world of information on certification, the State Education Standards, and etc.
If you care to see what is available then go to the University of Alaska Fairbanks teacher placement web site at www.alaskateacher.org. You will find the latest openings, Alaska district's web sites, a State-Wide application that can be submitted online, and various other information. They also host two summer job fairs in Alaska and a couple of them in the Lower 48.
I attended a job fair in 1997 and then in June 1998. I'm not underqualified at all. I just don't interview well. July 1998 I was offered a job in Rural Alaska.
I ended up on the flat tundra void of trees and mountains. At first I wanted to get back on the plane thinking how I really screwed up, but then (with the "encouragement" of my wife) I decided to give it a chance. I am so glad I did. For the most part it has been great.
The schools are small. The class sizes aren't much larger than a dozen. You don't have to dress up for work. And the people are so friendly. Yes, you will get a few bad apples, but the good outweighs the bad.
It isn't for everyone, but Rural Alaska could always use teachers that will stick around.
Feel free to email me if you'd like to. I love to answer questions and promote Bush Teaching.
Have a great day everyone!

Boat Trip to Bethel

2007-09-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

It is a fact that one’s survival rate in Bush Alaska not only depends on the weather and other factors beyond your control, but also the company you choose to have an adventure with.
Last week I got the opportunity to go from Atmautluak to Bethel by boat. It turned out to be a nice trip with splendid company and an alert, safe driver. Quite opposite than if I were at the helm.
We met at the boat about 11:30AM on September 1st. I was bundled in my winter coat, as it was the coldest day so far since I arrived. Having told them I didn’t have a life vest, they were gracious enough to supply one for me.
I got into the boat, picked up the life vest, put my arms through it, breathed in and managed to clip the top strap. With my heavy coat underneath it was a bit tight, but would have to work.
From the air the river resembles a snake forever making an “S.” It looks the same from a boat. We were constantly turning left or right on the surprisingly smooth water. I was told it takes about an hour-and-a-half to get to Bethel and we enter the Kuskokwim at Napakiak.
That turned out to be about right. It took a little longer to get to the big city of Bethel, but we had four adults and three kids in the boat. We also had the pleasure of a small rain shower between Napakiak and Oscarville.
The driver slowed down a moment while we unfolded a tarp and put it over us. Then he throttled up and left us to fight the thing to keep it down and not have it blow out of the boat. But we were staying dry.
After docking at the Brown Slough we went shopping. I lugged my box full of food to the boat stopping a few times to set it down and rest my arms. A short time later the others showed up. We loaded all the groceries, piled into the boat, put on our life vests, and sat down.
The ride back was different – at least from my observation. Within thirty minutes the kids were asleep. The youngest one caught my eye. His mom laid him on his back with half his body on her soft backpack. As he was drifting off to nautical dreamland his left arm would raise up whenever we bounced over the wake of a passing boat. Then slowly fall down again. His eyes never opened. Before long it ended and his arm stayed put. He was out along with the other two kids.
Atmautluak came into view about 5:30PM. We had made it back without getting lost, breaking down, or sinking. It may have had something to do with me being the furthest from the engine.
I thanked them for letting me tag along thinking it would be the end of their kindness. I was wrong.
Not only did they refuse my offer to pay for some of the gas while we were in Bethel, they even put my box of groceries on their four-wheeler and delivered it to my house. Someday I will figure out how to repay them.

New School Year Obstacles

2007-09-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

Every year I, as with many teachers, look back at the end of the first couple weeks of school and wonder how I survived. Not that there are 30 kids to a classroom in rural Alaska like some urban schools, but there are unique obstacles to overcome in isolated villages.
Therefore, I made a short list addressing a few problems and offering my expert advice based on personal experience. It is far from complete, but here it is in its
non-entirety.
First, don’t sweat. I mean it. A daily bath isn’t always guaranteed. Especially, if a water pipe broke the day before school starts and you have to haul water from the river each day for three days. That was a bummer. I sweated carrying five-gallon buckets of water. A shower was in order, but couldn’t do it without running water.
Instead, I relied on my vast bush experiences to get me through this dreadful time. My solution was to pour the river water in a wash pail (large plastic salad/serving bowl in my case), set it in the bath tub, get in the tub and give myself a steam bath wash without the steam. The Westerner term would be “sponge bath.” It’s cold and you may feel like a penguin after a refreshing swim, but at least you won’t stink up your classroom.
However, there is the issue of clean clothes. I got lucky. Only had to hand wash under clothes one time. I was down to my last shirt and jeans when the water line was fixed.
Secondly, be sure to draft a preliminary class schedule. If teaching Special Education like yours truly, be aware that it will change – several times. I had to consider the other teachers’ schedules and disrupt their day as little as possible. I’d say I’m on my tenth draft by now, but perfection comes with practice.
Thirdly (and in theory) you should get a good night’s sleep to begin each day alert and ready to take on the daunting task of teaching. In reality, sleep may only be a short snooze and alertness can be faked depending on the strength of the coffee. It depends on the individual.
Fourth, know your students’ names. Connect them with faces - their face. Kids are pretty forgiving and politely tell you their real name when you get their names wrong. But there is a limit. I’ve noticed the limit of forgiveness for calling someone by a different name is around four times. After that it is best not to attempt the name of the student. Kick back a while. Either someone will call the nameless student by his/her name, or they will hand in their assignment with their name printed on it. It works pretty well unless they speak and write their name in Yupik (the local Native language).
The fifth and final thing I’d like to address about the beginning of a school year is have some sort of organization for remembering things. I try to write items in my planner or on the small note pad I carry in my pocket. I spend the first few minutes of the day compiling the information into one daily list. Then I rip out the used note pad sheet(s), throw them away, and begin my day.
Just make sure that you have transferred all the information you need before tossing them in the trash. That way you don’t have to think of something else when you get to the “fifth and final thing” in your column.

(Tundra Teacher Tales is available at www.booklocker.com/books/973.html in paper back or immediately in an ebook.)