Month: March 2019

‘Is Maith Leis a Bheith Ag Seinm Ceol!’ (Irish Gaelic for ‘I like to play music’) by Valdez City Schools Superintendent Shawn Arnold and Sam Jordan at ASDN

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Valdez City Schools students perform as part of the Dublin Choir Festival

Thirteen Valdez High School students, three teachers, and a number of family members recently returned from the Dublin Choral Festival in Ireland.  The group toured with Music Contact International for a seven-day experience full of music, culture, art, history, and architecture.  During the tour students visited monastic ruins in the Irish hills, toured the Edwardian inspired Dublin Castle built atop medieval ruins and experienced the levity and local flair of a century old pub. Continue reading ‘Is Maith Leis a Bheith Ag Seinm Ceol!’ (Irish Gaelic for ‘I like to play music’) by Valdez City Schools Superintendent Shawn Arnold and Sam Jordan at ASDN

‘The Inspiring Art of Alaska’s Schools’ by Sam Jordan at ASDN

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Seal and Salmon Art Installation at Juneau-Douglas High School
Hanging art installation that greets students at Juneau-Douglas High School and the Juneau Community Charter School each day.

“For anyone to grow up complete, art is imperative” – Paul Harvey

Alaska’s schools are beautiful.  When you walk into any school, in any part of the state, you are met by not only the sights and sounds of students learning, but you are greeted by art. Supported by our unique, talented and dedicated Alaskan arts community, schools around the state are filled with paintings, photographs, sculptures, mosaics and objects that reflect the regional stories and landscapes of Alaska. Continue reading ‘The Inspiring Art of Alaska’s Schools’ by Sam Jordan at ASDN

Alaska Council of School Administrator’s Winter Education Bulletin

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Three times a year, the Alaska Council of School Administrators publishes a bulletin that highlights K-12 administrative work in Alaska. It’s filled with reflection, commentary and celebration of the work leading Alaska’s schools.

This winter’s edition presents a wide series of voices and perspectives. Dr. Karen Gaborik, Superintendent in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and 2018 Alaska Superintendent Association President, writes about the ‘Mid-Year Team Check-In’, and how it helps gauge progress fulfilled and progress yet to make during a school year. Continue reading Alaska Council of School Administrator’s Winter Education Bulletin

‘Turning An Empty Space Into A Creative Place’ By Librarian/Teacher Luke Fortier at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School in Juneau

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Last summer, an empty room sat at the end of the hallway in Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School. Our team sat staring at the empty space, thinking of what we could do with the room. Possibilities were endless – maybe a place for additional offices, or a testing area. “We can always use more storage for books and materials,” claimed the Librarian. However, Molly Yerkes, Principal at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School had a greater vision in mind. Why don’t we give the Makerspace a more defined location (not just a table in the library). And thus, a creative space was born. Continue reading ‘Turning An Empty Space Into A Creative Place’ By Librarian/Teacher Luke Fortier at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School in Juneau

‘Violins, Trumpets, Flutes, Bassoons, Cellos…and Recorders!’ by Taylor Young, Music Teacher in Juneau Public Schools

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Violins, trumpets, flutes, bassoons, cellos…and recorders! In January 2019, all fourth and fifth grade students in the Juneau School District attended the annual ‘Music in the Schools’ concert, sponsored by the Juneau Symphony and Any Given Child. This year, some 800 students were bused to Juneau-Douglas High School for an interactive concert inspired by a special curriculum developed by Carnegie Hall’s Link Up program. Continue reading ‘Violins, Trumpets, Flutes, Bassoons, Cellos…and Recorders!’ by Taylor Young, Music Teacher in Juneau Public Schools

‘Crawford Elementary School at Eielson AFB Celebrates Black History Month’ by Sam Jordan at ASDN

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A Crawford ES student discusses entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a political and social activist Madam C.J. Walker.
A Crawford ES student
discusses entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a political and social activist Madam C.J. Walker.

Alaska’s history and its present are uniquely defined by the contributions of African-Americans. From the trailblazers who built of the Alaska Highway during World War II, to military members who serve at our many Armed Forces facilities, to families, leaders and legislators who contribute to our communities and guide our government. Continue reading ‘Crawford Elementary School at Eielson AFB Celebrates Black History Month’ by Sam Jordan at ASDN

‘Inspiring Creativity with the iDidAContest’ by Katie Harrison, Teacher in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

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The IDidAContest is an annual Alaskan digital media contest sponsored by the Alaska Society for Technology in Education (ASTE) and run completely by volunteer Alaskan educators.The contest will celebrate its 20th year in 2020.  Continue reading ‘Inspiring Creativity with the iDidAContest’ by Katie Harrison, Teacher in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District