Making myself at home, sweet home. :)

It is such a rewarding feeling to experience living in a rural Alaskan community. This village is so much different from everything I left behind at home, but at the same time it feels familiar. What happens back in Iowa happens everywhere. There are people at every phase in life- from in-utero to the elderly, all joining together in simultaneous livelihood. People have diverse (and at times unclear) relationships to one another, but just like in smalltown Iowa, everyone knows who everyone is.

The people living in White Mountain are very curious about newcomers for the most part, myself not excluded. I have had many children tapping at my door, asking these three celebrated words: "Can we visit?!" The kids will come a rat-tat-tattin' all times of day to spend some time with a new face and explore an unfamiliar home. They are inquisitive about all the objects you own and will search through your cupboards to examine your many belongings when given the opportunity. Like sponges, they are so hungry for information about you. I have genuinely enjoyed these visits. Sometimes I will feed them a snack or juice, but my supplies do not allow for too much generosity at this point. That is okay, we will pull through!

My house doesn't have much to do in terms of videos, music, or gaming, but I have paper and coloring utensils. Just last night a student made me a beautiful drawing of the sun that he proudly tacked to my wall upon my recommendation. There are many others I may tack up tonight. Some are portraits of me, including one of me as a fashion model (which is simply hysterical to imagine, being 5' 3" and all), and others are fun doodles or imaginative clothing designs, including a line of "zombie" dresses done by a middle school student. The kids bring a lot of cheer to my home, and I expect I will be seeing them a lot!!

I gave a few of the older kids my camera for a couple hours to go take pictures in the village, under the stipulation that it must be returned in the same condition in which it was loaned out if they expect to use it again. They borrowed an ATV and traveled from the top of White Mountain to the far side of the town at the airport, taking photos of themselves and other children along the way. They took some beautiful landscape photographs- ones that were absolutely stunning! I downloaded them onto my computer as soon as they got back, and they pointed out all the people in the pictures whom I haven't had the opportunity to meet yet. I hadn't considered that would be a benefit of sending them out with a camera, but that turned out well in my favor! I was able to learn a few more names and get a feel for their photography skills. It amazes me how intuitive it can be to capture excellent photographs for some people. This seems especially true of children, provided they are able to steady their hand to do so. ;)

I have spent beaucoup de temps (a lot of time) in my classroom over the past week. Today I figured out my official schedule for the year, so I can start doing some more specific planning. Before now I had been focusing on making sure the classroom was ready and learning about school policies and day-to-day operations. Since last week we have attended district trainings via VTC (video tele-conference) which will become the norm, as travel for all of us to receive training is out of the question for the most part. I am absolutely thrilled that I will be getting to teach art to the 2nd-6th graders in my building two days a week. What a blessing that I am able to put those skills to use as well!! I had faith in this migration, and I get the feeling more and more each day that I will not be disappointed. How could I be with such a supportive staff and kids that bring me so much happiness to see each day?? And I haven't even met them all yet!!

Can I get a, "WHOOT, WHOOT!"?

Here are some pictures of my discombobulated classroom for the time being. It is gradually coming to resemble a place where one might learn. ;) I had to move around a lot of things to get in to where it is now, but the arrangement had limited feng shui in its former state, and I could not handle it. I am so happy to have the freedom to choose where things should go. My very first classroom EVER (in mirror image)!!!

My entryway and adjacent bulletin board. 

A broad view facing the windows.  

View looking towards the entryway. 

So proud of my Alaskan flag! Maybe a should put up a little Iowan one too? ;)

Experiencing so much joy as I call this blog finito for the night. There will be more pictures at some point. Rest assured. :)


Namaste to you all,

Kelly Rae

Goodbye to UNK for now!

All the villages we passed by on the way to Unalakleet (UNK) on the district plane last week were infinitesimal specks on the landscape, easily confused with ledges or bluffs. After flying over miles of what seemed to be uninterrupted wilderness I remember seeing a man-made structure on a hill, perhaps some kind of tower, just before arriving at our destination.  I wondered what it was, but knew regardless that it marked a territory that is (or was) used by people.  While gathered around a campfire on our last night in town, I observed that same hill with a light shining brightly just above it, and my wonder seceded. Sometimes all you must do is wait and answers find you full circle. ;)

Backtracking a moment, my first flight on a bush plane was frightening. Someone at the Welcome Wagon orientation instructed me of the importance of balance when riding in such small aircraft and how accidents have occurred due to improper weight distribution of people and freight. Armed with that knowledge, I wound up an unexpected passenger due to flight changes and consequently spent the majority of the flight, when not enamored by the amazing views, praying every time the plane tilted that it wasn't because of me. Needless to say, we made it to WMO just fine. Oh, what good times. :) I actually got to ride co-pilot so my view was especially spectacular. It feels almost like a roller coaster now, with the addition of pressure in the ears. I am excited that it is growing more and more familiar with each time I travel. I won't be on a plane again until Labor Day weekend when I will return to the district headquarters for more training with the Special Ed. folk.

The planes soar at an elevation quite low to the ground in comparison to a commercial airplane, allowing those of us inside an impressively intimate aerial perspective. It is amazing to see how much land is not in use when flying over Alaska in a small plane. I can see why they call it the last frontier... although I expect most of what I personally have viewed has been touched by humans at some point in transit from one place to another. At in-service yesterday we briefly listened to the state representative for our district speak, and I chuckled when he displayed an image of the state of Alaska with the state of Texas inside of it. Alaska is enormous, y'all!

It feels sooooo good to be back in White Mountain again. I love having a place to call my own. Sleeping in a bed last night was wonderful. You forget how much you enjoy privacy until you have none. I guess that is true of most things in life though. =)

I am excited to get working on my classroom and on my resolutions for the school year. I have already made a bulletin to welcome my students and have organized most of the stuff in the room. I set up all the technology as well. I have my very own SmartBoard, two Mac desktops, two Mac laptops, two iPads, two Inspiron Minis, a Smart projector, a Kindle, and so many other tools I will learn to use this year. I am surprised by how well-stocked this classroom is in general. Many things that I considered bringing in order to service my kids are already here. I have so many books and supplies. This year is going to be awesome. I even snooped around in the art supply storage today, and oh boy was it a sight for sore eyes. I am so very pleased to know these kids are certainly not deprived of art materials either. What a blessing!

Another joy, I had many packages when I arrived home, so my wardrobe has expanded somewhat, and my home is a little more personalized. My office supplies came in too, and I had been itching for those. More importantly, I now have some of my own art supplies at home. <3 Yay!


Well, I am spent! It has been a long day in my new classroom, and I am ready to head home and eat some dinner. Have a great evening yourselves!! Take care.


Namaste,

Kelly

The joy of photographs- Unalakleet style!

At last, I have a few photos to share from my time here in Unalakleet! I discovered yet another awesome result of having befriended so many of my BSSD co-workers- the ability to share photos with one another. Here is a sample from a collection of people including teachers from Shaktoolik, Elim, and Shishmaref.

The campground a few miles from town where we enjoyed an evening of leisure. 

 Imagine running cross country every day and catching this view! That is reality for the students here in Unalakleet.

This was just the beginning of that mud I mentioned in my last post. The "before" picture, if you will.

Gillies!  (Sea glass) Some more weathered than others.

What a gorgeous sunset! This had to have been almost midnight... 

This is the restaurant where we ate some local pizza. I returned there yesterday for a smoothie. 

What a dramatically beautiful photo! There are certainly a lot of people around here who also love photography. Warms my heart!! 

Kudos to the photographer. Oh, and mother nature too. ;) 

The one UNK photo I have of myself for the time being. 

A small group of us will be sleeping out here on the beach tonight! Perfect bonfire conditions. 

In addition to these superb photos, I have also included....

...a map to give you an idea of where all the schools are located in the district and how we relate to one another geographically.

And this map here to give you a clearer perspective on where the Bering Strait School District is in Alaska (the red area).

Enjoy!

Namaste, Kelly Rae

In-service and after hours

Training in Unalakleet has been so informative my brain is growing wrinkled from all this pedagogical contemplation. (This belief of course stems from imagination more so than science, as our brain sadly does not actually develop more wrinkles as we learn, but a girl can dream!) I have been rather content with the training we are receiving as a district. People flew in from different parts of the United States to train us. My group's particular two-day reading workshop was led by a facilitator from Phoenix, Arizona. Just listening to her guide us toward understanding the significance of and rationale behind our adopted Success for All reading curriculum caused me to gain a lot of confidence in its potential for greatness. The school I will work at in White Mountain already has a pretty stellar reputation for fostering an appreciation for learning in its students, and so I have some big shoes to fill!

Class sessions for teachers run through the morning and into the early afternoon, when we are released of our duties and relatively free to do as we please. One night this week we traveled down to a local church camp for food and recreation. The food service workers that came with us did a marvelous job preparing all that food! We had fresh blueberry pie, steamed veggies, cucumber salad, and for those with a carnivorous spirit there was chicken cordon bleu and grilled salmon. A few of the more brave teachers slept over at the campground and grilled some more fresh caught salmon over a bonfire. I had fun hiking some of the trails and observing the fast current of the river as it meandered about the landscape. People fished, kayaked, played frisbee, ate food, and in general had a great time. Even some of the SFA trainers came to enjoy the experience! The mud of the trails became a prominent topic of conversation as we made our way about the camp. ATVs had been running people back and forth between the beach of the river and the chapel. In the process designated pathways in between grew more and more mushy as the evening progressed. I luckily only slipped and fell once, a pretty good number for me considering my track record with gravitational instability. ;)

 The town has two local stores and a couple of places to get sit-down food. One is called "Peace on Earth", and a group of us ate there for dinner this evening. I couldn't help but laugh at the cleverness: the basis for the business's phone number was the word "cheese".  The vegetarian Greek pizza was phenomenal, and I will be happy to ingest more of it as it pleases me over the next couple of days. Thank goodness for left-overs! Our first day in town we tried the local coffee shop for some good eats. Both stores have some of the artwork and crafts of the native people for sale. I have some seeds planted for some holiday gift items already, not to mention things I envy to own myself. The traditional garb in Alaska is so beautiful, I hope to learn how to make some. A few colleagues and myself went to a sale at the community center Saturday when we got out of our session early. There were baked goods, post cards, earrings, clothes, and more. I am now armed with a couple of post cards and probably more baked goods than any healthy human being should ingest in a month. Half of them are already gone. ;)

New teachers at the in-service have bonded in so many different ways since arriving. We have eaten together, joked together, explored the town, picked berries, sang karaoke, done zumba, and loads of other things I probably am not even aware of! People have fished and swam and watched movies. We have walked along the beach admiring the horizon line, the waves, and the beautiful pieces of sea glass that wash up on shore, called "gillies". (I likely spelled the Inupiaq word incorrectly.) Our downtime has been fairly enjoyable. Imagine all the teachers in the world who do not have these kinds of opportunities to get closer to one another before they begin their year working in cooperation with one another. How fortunate are we?!

My time here in Unakaleet is about halfway through and the realization that school will begin promptly in a matter of a week and a half is setting in. I am so excited to start work!!! After so many years of hard work, it is rewarding to finally feel like I have arrived. I couldn't have done it without all the friends I have made along the way. "I get by with a little help from my friends!"

Business envelopes are new on the inventory heading home, as well as some lemon juice I picked up at the store, some books from our textnician, rocks from the beach, driftwood, and celery root. I also hope to buy a sweater before I leave, as my one and only sweater I have with me is not sufficient for the weather here. It has been windy and rainy. You would laugh if you could see the way I have been pulling my bright blue, button-up knit sweater over my head during heavy rain as though it could offer some kind of protection. There is a mind movie for you right there... True comedy!

Thank you for reading my blog! Leave comments if you would like.

Namaste, Kelly

And because someone asked... Namaste is "a common spoken valediction or salutation originating from the Hindus in the Indian Subcontinent. It is a customary greeting when individuals meet, and a valediction upon their parting." [Wikipedia] This phrase is commonly used in the U.S. by those who participate in yoga, among other things. I was taught that in addition to being a common greeting, it is also a representation that "the love and light in me honors and respects the love and light in you". I choose to believe this is true. <3 

Teacher in-service as a "serving" educator

Teacher in-service prior to the start of the school year is happening right now in Unalakleet, the largest of our 15 sites and home to the district office. We are all gathered at the school building camped out in rooms on cots and air mattresses. Our meals have been provided, and I have been very fortunate in that something vegetarian seems to find its way into every mealtime. It has been wonderful to taste fresh fruits and veggies, green salads, bagels, and even desserts! We are truly spoiled this week.

Today we took care of business operations, human resources, technology training, and a cultural awareness session, which I found especially beneficial. Not only were we provided with a text resource about the native heritage of Alaska, but we were able to listen to and ask questions of a woman who was born into the traditional Inupiaq culture. We learned about the language, cultural differences, and so many other important things that will make a huge difference to be aware of during our stays in our villages. We must be cognizant at all times that we are guests in our villages. In order to remain welcome, we must establish positive relationships with the community and its people. Her tips should help dramatically, I am sure!

We were able to collect a book from the library today as well. We have a simply wonderful textnician (yes, I have decided to coin a new word for our librarian <3), who provides us with a plethora of resources to help us in our classrooms. I sense that I will be in touch with her quite frequently this year for book recommendations and other tools that she can access and provide to enhance our classrooms. What a wonderful resource to have available!

For years now I have announced myself as a "pre-service" teacher, and I could not be more content that that phrase no longer applies to me. I am at last "serving" (hence the blog title) as a full-time educator for a school district that is absolutely superb! Everyone has such nice things to say about the Bering Strait School District, especially people who have migrated in from other places. I've been told this place can really steal your heart away. I find it rewarding to be here not only because I get to experience Alaskan wildlife and work with children with fantastic personalities, but also because I feel welcome and needed. I could have taught in a school in Iowa, I have no doubt in my mind about that, but it has been a much more rewarding experience to relocate somewhere where the need is greater. I feel so privileged to be here and that I will have the ability to make a much greater impact of the lives of these students than I possibly could have with students back home. 

I have been asked by a few of my students already "how long will you be here?" I do not blame them for wondering, as a colleague mentioned just today these kids see a lot of teachers come and go. They have every right to be curious and ask questions. The appropriate response is that I do not know, because it is true. Until the time that I do part ways with White Mountain (should that be the case) I will devote myself heart and soul to my job and give these kids my all because they deserve nothing less!!!

I am feeling quite lucky as I call this day a close. Wish I had some photos to post, but alas, my phone only cooperates when photography is not involved. Or volume. Volume is not so friendly either. ;)

Until next time, namaste!

White Mountain or bust!

Anchorage is such a beautiful place! I was so happy to have the opportunity to stay there for several days to acquaint myself with this state, its weather and some of its people. Apparently I was not ready to leave the area because only one minute's time separated me from my timely departure to Nome. My baggage needed at least forty minutes to make it on the plane with me. With the charter bus of people that arrived just before me and line closings for one reason or another, 39 minutes remained by the time I made it to the baggage check. The very kind attendant at the counter insisted that were the decision hers, on the flight I would be. However, technology reigns, and there was no convincing the computer that I was there with enough time to board. Lesson learned- arrive earlier next time!

Call it divine intervention, call it what you will, but I was thrilled to share one more day with the amazing people I had met at Welcome Wagon (our teacher orientation). A few of us hiked to the top of Flattop Mountain, one of Anchorage's most popular hikes. It was quite a foggy day for mountain climbing, but with patience came sunshine and stunning views of the city. We enjoyed picking wild blueberries and braved a few others we could not identify. I ventured off to meditate for some time and gained some calmness and clarity before rejoining my new teaching companions. And to think I would have missed this experience had I made my flight... It was well worth the reputation as "that one girl" that missed her flight!

I made my flight on Friday with a setback of a whopping $115 for the last minute flight change. While on the one hand I wanted to be upset about the cost, it was certainly no one's fault but my own that I missed my flight, and I have learned from it that I must be more self-sufficient. Duly noted! I was able to meet several very nice people- one on her way to Golovin (a town nearby) and three White Mountain residents- at the airport/on the flight because of my delayed departure. I was concerned about whether or not I would have a ride back from the airport. Luckily, someone had gotten the memo to my principal and a friendly native from the village was waiting for me to take me to my home via ATV. We helped to load some more freight from the plane and were on our way!

Now here I am in my home away from home, and I have lost count of the moments that my breath has been taken away. Every single thing about this village has exceeded my expectations. My home is very modern and cozy, with nicer amenities than any place I have ever resided in! The view from my windows is spectacular. I can see the Fish River, its beach and far bank. Pine trees stand in uniformity on the far bank and stretch for miles until they greet the flats that becomes the mountains. A single tree stands much taller than the others, and I can't help but smirk at this peculiar event. I think of the trees in Anchorage, groupings of which had long died from root dislocation as the aftermath of earthquakes. I see mountains in three of four cardinal directions. The other I see the hillside, which when climbed extends to yet more mountain ranges. The river is also clear, as was the water in Anchorage. There are many berries this year. A fellow school employee and myself went hiking today and located quite a few, but we are yet in search of the popular salmon berry that is frequently mentioned in the village. We met a local at the airstrip who pointed us to a better location for hunting berries in the future so we will have to embark on that mission another day.

Today we met with our principal to be given our computers and get some more information about our school. I toured the school building yesterday and was really impressed by how nice it is. The old school had a fire some years ago and this building replaced it. The new facility is located farther up White Mountain and so the climb to the top is only a five minute hike! There is so much land to uncover, so many people to meet, and I am so excited as I begin this journey as a teacher in the Alaskan bush. I am so grateful to have been blessed with such an adventurous spirit! It has and will take me so far. <3
 

 Here is a view of the village from the top of White Mountain.

For those of you who are curious, this is my cozy little nest on the hill. <3

Here is another view of the town from the mountaintop. 

This is my newest hiking buddy. He tagged along for the adventure!

Like I said... what breathtaking views! A little overcast, but still gorgeous!!

 Here you can see the town a little more up-close. If you can spot the bright yellow house, mine is the red one just to the left of it (near the right side of the photo).

Love the views!

And yet another.

This is a photo of the school I am working at, looking down from the top of the mountain. What an easy hike!

This might give you a feel for what the roads look like when walking around town. Most are more narrow than this one to accommodate ATVs and snowmachines. I did discover there are at least two trucks in the village that can navigate the wider roads such as this one.

Another view of our school. What a nice facility!

The fence that lines the basketball court is decorated with lovely images of mountains, animals, and children playing that the schoolchildren painted.

This is a view looking from the beach, which is frequently dotted with boats waiting to take off for berry-picking, fishing, swimming, and other water activities. I hope to ride in one sometime if I am lucky!

What a beautiful color for the Native Store, our local grocer. I am very impressed by all the goods they have available to us.  They even have waders and boardgames right now!

Got to love those panoramic views. Wish I could get an even wider angle with my camera, but this will do! 

Here is our lovely itinerant counselor who braved some bluffs on a hike with me.

...And was kind enough to snap this lovely picture. <3

Enter: dramatic camera angle of bluffs. :)

I don't know what kind of mushrooms these are (help me out?), but I am hoping to discover that some of the fungi around here are edible because they are EVERYWHERE. 

Look at this beast! He was probably a solid 8 inches tall, just hangin' out on the path.

If you learn nothing else by reading this blog, it will likely be that I either  A) love photography, B) love emoticons, or C) love exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!! 

Hope you enjoyed! Feel free to comment. 

<3 Namaste and peace be with you all!