There are few greater joys than watching a student discover the magic of education and a love for learning. I am passionate about teaching and am excited to work with and learn from early career teachers throughout Alaska as we embark on this journey together.

I have had the pleasure of teaching elementary youth in Anchorage for 26 years and am excited to work with the Alaska State Mentorship Program.

As a lifelong Alaskan I enjoy exploring the great state we live in as well as traveling throughout the world with my family.

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” 
—Zig Zigler

My inspiration for becoming a teacher was due, in part, to the influence of my very own 5th grade teacher, Mr. Luther, in Saugerties, NY. His classroom was one of joy, exploration and great acceptance of all ideas. I knew after that very special school year that I wanted to offer future students a similar learning experience. I just knew I wanted to be a teacher!

As an undergraduate education major at UAA, I had the opportunity to learn under the careful guidance of 3 very gifted mentors. Each of those mentors taught me one of the most important lessons of mentoring - that mentoring, is a 2-way street. With this mentoring ethic as my guide I look forward to listening to, and learning from, the first and second year teachers I will have the privilege of working with.

From teaching in Unalaska in the Aleutian Chain to teaching in high needs Title One Schools in Anchorage followed by a post career teaching experience in the Yup’ik village of Newtok, I have enjoyed the opportunity to hone my teaching practice and deepen my understanding of the significant role culture plays in education. Parker Palmer, educator and author of The Courage to Teach, says “effective teachers are able to weave a complex web of connections among themselves, their subjects and their students so that students can learn to weave a world for themselves.” I hope to guide others in this idea of empowering students and whilst doing so, continue to add to my own colorful weaving.

“If beginning teachers keep open hearts and minds, they will learn a great deal and make a difference in the lives of Alaska’s beautiful and capable students.”

I taught 32 years with the Matanuska-Susitna School District in Big Lake and Wasilla. I began my teaching career mid-year at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Anchorage.

Sarah is a lifelong Alaskan that was born and raised in Anchorage. She spent her 32 year teaching career in the Matanuska-Susitna School District teaching mainly 4th grade. During this time, Sarah’s love for Alaska grew through teaching her students about its geography, history, cultures, and more. Sarah understands that best practices apply to all grade levels and content areas. During her teaching career, Sarah took a variety of professional courses: Kagan cooperative learning strategies, trauma informed, data driven instruction, and differentiated instruction to name a few. Sarah’s hard work, professional knowledge, and dedication is what made her a great host for 7 student teachers, and will continue to make her a great mentor for early career teachers. She has been a mentor teacher in the Mat-Su for the past two years and has participated in the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project training during that time. She is excited to begin a new path in education mentoring early career teachers. She looks forward to working together collaboratively to provide quality education to every student.

Sarah knows the importance of balancing work and personal time. When not working, you can find Sarah hiking one of the many beautiful trails Alaska has to offer, or you’ll see her spending quality time with those that she cares most about.

I was born in Kansas and raised in Nebraska, a lifelong Husker fan with big dreams of living in Alaska. That dream began in first grade and never left me after I read the book, Julie of the Wolves. The wilderness, wildlife, and wide-open spaces of the Last Frontier always felt like home.

Before becoming an educator, I spent time serving in the U.S. Coast Guard in Kodiak (1987–1991), worked as a Ground Fish Observer for NOAA in the Bering Sea(1993–1996), and held roles with the Pacific Salmon Commission (1997), the Institute of Toxicology and Chemistry as a lab tech (1992–1994), as well as  working for the CherryPoint Refinery, WA, (1998–2000).

Eventually, my love of math, science, and the outdoors led me to the classroom. I saw teaching as the most direct way to make a positive, lasting impact on the world. I’m motivated by a love of learning and a belief that students thrive when lessons are hands-on, place-based, and connected to the real world around them.

I earned a B.S. in Biology in 1990, a Master of Education in Science and Environmental Education, where I wrote Ecological Wisdom: Place-Based Writing as a Path to Wisdom in 2001 and earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Alaska Southeast in 2002. I later completed my leadership degree through UAA in 2012, stepping into the role of principal, and educational leadership in four different districts.

Today, I live in Haines, Alaska with my wife and two kids. I feel grateful every day to call this extraordinary place home and to work in a field as a mentor where I can help students, and teachers connect learning with community, culture, and place.

In 1978 I graduated with a double BA in bilingual/bicultural and elementary education with minors in Spanish and theater. On the heels of graduation, I took a job for 6 years with Harrison School District in Colorado Springs as a bilingual teacher in third and then second grade. During that period, I earned my Master's in bilingual/multicultural elementary education from the University of Northern Colorado. Taking a hiatus from full time teaching, I attended the University of Colorado Boulder to complete my Ph.D. in Social and Multicultural Foundations of Bilingual Education, subbing for Boulder Valley schools as I studied. Then I moved to Yakima, Washington to work for the Migrant Education Regional Office providing bilingual/ESL instructional and program support for school districts in the region. Overcome by the eastern Washington heat, I jumped at the chance when a similar job opened with Interface Multifunctional Resource Center in Anchorage. Alaska was a natural fit as I enjoy the adventure of traveling and working around the State. When grant funding ran out, I accepted a job with the Anchorage School District as an elementary bilingual resource teacher, middle school language arts and ESL teacher, ESL specialist, teacher mentor. I worked for ASD for 21 years. 2013-2016 I mentored with ASMP in rural communities. I then served 8 years as an associate professor, program advisor coordinator, and student teacher supervisor with the UAS Graduate Elementary Programs.

Mentoring is an opportunity to start where teachers are, to capitalize on their strengths, and support their needs and goals as they build their capacity and agency to best meet the needs and goals of their students.

Finally, I say thank you to all the students I have known, from all the places and classes, who have taught me more than I ever thought possible. I look forward to repaying you (in a good way) by leaving ever better teachers, for you, in my wake.

I have been a teacher for 31 years. I have taught k-12 music, instrumental and vocal as well as private individual and small group instruction. The "community" of my classroom was my greatest priority. Having community allowed everyone to contribute their individual strengths for the overall success of the group.

Family members recognized my penchant for exploration and sharing discoveries when I was a young child, and I have known since then that my calling has been to teach.  Just as the hours in a day flit by when doing what you love most, so have the years of my teaching.

My career began in rural Alaska, with the Lower Kuskokwim School District, where I taught high school with one other colleague for five years.  I made a foray into homeschooling for a few years before becoming certified in Waldorf education, and teaching in Anchorage for 14 years at the elementary level.  In 2010, I became the founding teacher of Birchtree Charter School in the Mat-Su Borough School District, teaching and mentoring there for six years.  During the next several years, I served as a mentor, pedagogical director, teacher trainer, and field supervisor for student teachers.  Coming full circle, I was called back to teach in rural Alaska, which is where my heart lies.  I taught middle school and high school for the Yukon Flats School District until becoming a mentor for the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project in 2023.

I recharge for teaching by spending time in Alaska’s wilderness, paddling, hiking, backpacking and skiing.  I enjoy creating things with my hands:  knitting, beading, building, painting, and crafting.  My greatest joy, and hope, is to inspire lifelong learners in any classroom environment.

“The teacher who walks…among his followers gives not of his wisdom, but of his faith and his lovingness.  If he is indeed wise, he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your own mind.”
—Kahlil Gibran

My love for teaching started on the ski slopes in Colorado and directly led me to receive a dual degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from University of North Dakota. I have been a classroom teacher for almost 30 years in over 5 states, the majority were spent in 4 different areas around Alaska.  I am currently living in Sitka but I have also called Delta Junction, Pedro Bay and Chignik Lake home.  I have also lived in Austin, Bellingham, Seattle, Vail, Park Rapids and Grand Forks.

I have used diverse classroom designs such as one-room school rooms, looping, multiple grades, trauma-informed, etc. which steered me towards a master's degree in Instructional Design.  I have worked with ASMP for two years as a mentor support to early career teachers and I strongly believe in the effectiveness of mentoring.  

My philosophy is a child-focused, trusting experience that uses place-based resources in the individual education process.  As an eager learner myself, I can’t wait to see more cultures, varied instruction and engaged learners.

I am an avid knitter.  I love to read, hike and listen to music.

“Being able to learn from and with early career teachers has been a dream job. Their commitment and dedication to Alaskan students merits all my support!”

Lesa mentored with ASMP for five years when the project was first founded. She has returned to ASMP in the 2021-22 school year.

Prior to mentoring, Lesa taught in the Fairbanks School District as a special education resource teacher K-8 and a classroom teacher of K-3. She obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin, Masters degree at the University of Alaska, Southeast, and administrative endorsement from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in Early Childhood Education, this year marks Lesa's 22nd in education. Special areas of interest in education include language and literacy, early childhood education, and Six Traits Writing. Lesa is a product of Alaska's public school system. She and her husband both graduated from high school in Fairbanks and their three children are currently attending local schools.

"I love mentoring because of the excitement of being in a community of master teachers and learners. My work with the ASMP has brought professional growth opportunities and it has been a thrill to travel to many diverse sites in Alaska working with dedicated educators."

I come from a family of teachers.  Both of my grandmothers were teachers, and my mother, father, brother, and husband are all amazing educators. I have taught a myriad of subjects in Alaska for the past 26 years. I have had the opportunity to visit many schools and communities in our state through my role as an advisor for the Alaska Association of Student Governments.   I am always amazed by the diversity, beauty and strength of Alaskan students and teachers.  It is my great honor to be a part of the Alaska Statewide Mentorship Project. I hope to provide support to teachers so that they can provide the best educational experience for every Alaskan student.

I taught for 35 years in the great state of Alaska.  My first teaching assignment was for two years in Hooper Bay on the Bering Sea coast. From there, I moved to Hydaburg in Southeast Alaska for 9 years.  After earning my Master’s degree in Special Education, I taught for 24 years in the Matsu Valley at the middle school level.  As a beginning teacher in Hooper Bay, I was fortunate to have a group of dedicated and supportive teachers who mentored me for those first two years.  When I retired, I decided it was my turn to give back and mentor the next generation of teachers in the state of Alaska.  It’s been a great ride.

I’m delighted to become a mentor for early career teachers! I didn’t have an official mentor when I first began teaching, but I know that the help I received from colleagues who unofficially mentored me helped me to become a successful teacher. I’m excited to have the opportunity to provide other teachers with tools to help enhance their teaching practices. In doing so, it is my hope to help students become successful by helping their teachers. I’m originally from Petersburg, Alaska. I decided to become a teacher after my son’s Head Start teacher encouraged me to pursue a teaching career. I graduated from Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, AK with a BA in Elementary Education in 1996. I began my teaching career with the Lower Yukon School District in the communities of Alakanuk and Mt. Village. I then taught for 21 years with the Sitka School District. In my 25 years of teaching, I taught first, second, third, and sixth grades as well as serving as a reading interventionist for K-1 students. I was most recently the online teacher for kindergarten and first grade for the 2020-2021 school year. I’m looking forward to beginning a new chapter in education.

"I believe that supporting early career teachers through mentoring leads to teacher retention and increased student learning.  Through ongoing guidance and feedback, early career teachers are able to refine their practice and create an effective learning environment for their students."

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1988, and taught in rural Southeast Alaska for 23 years. I completed my Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2013 and served as principal in Kake, Alaska for three years. Following that, I worked for the Department of Education as a State System of Support (SSOS) Coach, working with schools in need of support, for four years. Later I served for one year as the Principal/Teacher of Twin Hills School. Following that I acted as a long-term substitute teacher for rural villages in Interior and Western Alaska.

I have always loved being in education and am excited to be joining the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project. Here, I have an opportunity to give something back to the profession that has always been good to me.

I taught  for 25 years in Anchorage, Alaska in the Anchorage School District. My first teaching assignment in Anchorage was as a K-3 special education resource teacher at Airport Heights Elementary for eight years. I was convinced by a colleague to become a special education teacher consultant (TC) and worked with preschool, K-12, and transition support by training staff and supporting students and families with a variety of needs at all schools in the district. I stayed in that position as TC for many years until my own children were entering high school. The job of special education (SPED) department chair (DC) opened at Dimond High School where my children would attend. I worked at Dimond High School as a SPED DC for eight years until my youngest graduated, and then I retired. Prior to Alaska, I was a general education elementary teacher for 5th and 6th grade in Parma, Ohio for five years and a self-contained primary (K-3) special education teacher for students with severe emotional needs in Pinellas Park, Florida for two years.

I came to Alaska in 1974, courtesy of the U.S. Army and never left.  After serving 3 years at Ft. Wainwright, I attended UAF earning a B.S. in General Science, majoring in math and education with a minor in Alaska Native Languages.  I was launched into a Yup'ik classroom, armed with determination and a one year contract in 1980.

Since then, I returned to UAF and UAA to earn Master's degrees in Education, Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership.  I am certified to teach elementary students,  secondary math and science and to be a K-12 principal.  But my real education came from raising my own children, teaching K-12 students, school improvement coaching with staff in high needs districts, and mentoring 1st and 2nd year teachers in both rural and urban districts around Alaska.

In my opinion, the biggest impact on students comes from teachers who embrace the philosophy of continuous improvement.  Mentors can guide new teachers in their quest for embedded, relevant and personalized reflection and professional development.  It has been the most impactful work I've done in my 42 years in education.

"The best thing about teaching is having a positive effect on the lives of young people. I am looking forward to meeting energetic new teachers interested in getting better at their teaching."

I grew up in rural Alaska with parents who were teachers. I received my B.Ed. in Elementary Education from UAF in 1989 and my M.Ed. in Language and Literacy from UAF in 2002. For 23 years I worked for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District; 19 years as classroom teacher and four years as the district's K-6 Content Coach.  

From 2013-2019 I had the privilege of being an ASMP mentor.  Mentoring in Alaska is a unique, meaningful, and profound experience.  The opportunities to learn and grow individually and with colleagues and early career teachers were tremendous.  

This is my sixth year as the Program Manager.  My admiration and respect for teachers is at an all-time high. It is an honor to support the dedicated, professional cadre of mentors who enthusiastically and tirelessly collaborate with their early career teachers, together reaching the vision of "giving every student in Alaska the benefit of a great teacher."

For most of my career I worked at Sitka High School teaching up to five levels of French and a wide range of social studies courses from history to current global issues. Most recently I taught elementary ESL and have been an adjunct instructor at the graduate level. My educational training includes a B.A. degree in anthropology from the University of Minnesota, a secondary teaching certificate from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and a Masters in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Hamline University. This background and my teaching experiences have fueled my interest in cross-curricular learning, language acquisition, and promoting diversity.

When I'm not in school, I spend as much time as I can exploring other cultures and the world around me through travel, books, film or shared stories. This is what I have sought to give my students: an interest in exploring new perspectives and the tools to open the doors to new worlds. Just as I have learned to value knowledge of my roots and the vitality of my community, education should help students understand the story of their past and enable them to become active, effective participants in their communities.

As I work with early career teachers, I aim to support them in creating an environment that welcomes students of all backgrounds and abilities, and in developing lessons that enable all students to achieve.

"For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others."
—Eleanor Roosevelt

Born and raised in Alaska, Liane enjoyed teaching Middle School Science & STEM in the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District for 27 years. She is a Teacher Ambassador Alumni of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Teacher Innovator Institute Program and presented at the 2019 NSTA Conference. Liane has a B.A. General Science & K-8 Elementary Education and a M.Ed. Information Technology. She is excited about this next adventure working with Early Career Teachers as an Alaska Statewide Mentor.

"Collaboration with Early Career Teachers within ASMP provides inspirational opportunities, insightful perspectives, and meaningful relationships for the benefit of all involved: the mentor, the teachers, and their students."