2010 Annual Report University of Alaska Foundation Promise

Alaska Native educators address students at the 2009 Student Gathering of the Future Educators of Alaska program. Photo by Adam Demientieff
FUNDING TO BRING TEACHER EDUCATION TO RURAL ALASKA
Chevak is a long way from everything. Located in Western Alaska a short
distance from Hooper Bay, Chevak is a village of about 800 people whose
lives are rapidly changing.
Thanks to a generous gift from longtime education advocate Barney Gottstein, the UAA College
of Education has launched the Chevak Initiative. This pilot program is designed to increase the
number of Alaska Native teachers statewide, starting in Chevak. The program provides specifically
sequenced courses provided via on-site and distance delivery for paraprofessionals interested in
earning an education degree.
More than 90 percent of rural students are Alaska Native, but only 5 percent of teachers are. Of
teachers in rural Alaska, 70 percent come from Outside. College of Education faculty have created
a research team focused on creating the most effective means of delivering teacher education
programs to place-based populations. The research from this program will be shared with districts
across Alaska.
Gottstein hopes his donation will inspire others and create a model that can be replicated
throughout the state.
UNIVERSITY OF OF ALASKA FOUNDATION FY10 ANNUAL REPORT 15