Alaska Statewide Mentor Project

Photos From Mentors
Alice and Bryan "Boo" in Alakanuk with student name poster in English and Yup'ik. Photo: Mentor Abby Augustine.	Aimee Romeijn, Regional Coordinator for the ASMP projects takes a moment to pose with longtime mentor Hal Neace.
Mentors Liane Ryan, Marie Russell, and Anna Caladera see each other in the Bethel Airport. Photo: Liane Ryan.	Mentors Marcy Farris, Liane Ryan,  Anna Caladera and Lynn Mayberry-Burke  see each other in the Bethel Airport. Photo: Liane Ryan.
Mentor Lesa Meath works with Kokhanok student Tucker Apokedak, learning about silkworms. Photo: Lesa Meath.	Mentor Lesa Meath poses with her two Kokhanok ECTs, Marina McGourty and Krista Hobson, for Wacky Wednesday dressup. Photo: Lesa Meath.
Mentor Mike Kernin poses with his Unalaska ECT. Photo: Mike Kernin.

 

20th Anniversary Gala (2004-2024), Anchorage
Past mentors Chris Jenks (2009-13) and Kerry Irons (2009-11) speak with Dave Boyd (2008-10, 2012-16) and recently retired Ed Sotelo (2009-23).	Sandi Immel-Boyd (2013-22), Carol Jerue (2008-21), Chris Jenks (2009-13) and Dave Boyd (2008-10, 2012-16) in the foreground.
Current mentor Donna Levesque speaks with retired mentor Chris Walker (2012-19) at the table in foreground, left.	Mentors/past mentors, staff/past staff and leaders listen to the opening of the Gala.
A mentor "timeline" was printed out and put up on the walls in the back, with pictures of all of the mentors in each class through the years.	A slideshow ran on the far wall with photos of, and from, mentors throughout the 20 years.
Glenda Findlay, Director of K-12 Outreach greeted everyone at the opening of the gala	Glenda introduces Martha Gould-Lehe, retired teacher and past Cultural Professional Development advisor for ASMP.
Martha Gould-Lehe delivered the Land Acknowledgement, which was received positively for the thoughtfulness and deep perspective she shared with the group.	Glenda introduced DEED Commissioner Deena Bishop, to the audience.
President Pat Pitney shared her support for the Mentor Project and its positive impact on the teaching industry in Alaska.	Commissioner Bishop shared personal experiences as a student of the Anchorage School District. Numerous retired teachers/mentors that she had as a student were in the crowd.
Co-host Sue McIntosh, ASMP Program Manager, had the pleasure of introducing Lorrie Scoles, founder and the first Program Manager of the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project.	Sue McIntosh and Lorrie Scoles.
Lorrie Scoles shared her memories and pleasure seeing the program thriving, and of course, seeing mentor friends from 20 years ago.	Ellen Moir, founder of the New Teacher Center, the entity that helps found mentoring across the nation, and ASMP's ongoing partner, spoke via video message. Watch her video presentation.
Tobe Gurly, former ECT, current site administrator at Tri-Valley School, Denali Borough School District, was invited to speak. He shared funny and profound stories of his early teaching and support from his mentor.	Sperry Ash, former ECT, Literacy Resource teacher for the Kodiak Island Borough School District, and Sugpiaq from Nanwalek, was invited to speak. He shared stories from his elders and his positive experience as an ECT.
2022-23 Alaska Teacher of the Year Harlee Harvey shared her memories as an ECT with Mentor Kristie Willean. She is teaching in Point Hope, North Slope Borough School District, Tikigaq School.
2023-24 Mentor Start Up in Fairbanks
Lynn Mayberry-Burke and Donna Levesque work at Start Up. Photo: Christine Zelinsky.	Fawn Jelinek holds a children's book that she particularly likes. Photo: Christine Zelinsky.
Marcy Farris and Anna Caladera work and discuss at Start Up. Photo: Christine Zelinsky.	Marcy Farris, Christine Zelinsky and Mikolas Bekeris discus finer elements at Start Up. Photo: Christine Zelinsky.
Sarah and Anna outside Constitution Hall, UAF. Photo: Christine Zelinsky.	Mentors attended the Music in the Gardens event held indoors because of the smoky air quality. Photo Christine Zelinsky.
Christine and Anna went to Santa Claus house in North Pole to see Santa. Photo: Christine Zelinsky.	Mentors meet for a dinner at the Pump House after a day of training. Photo: Christine Zelinsky.
Mike Kernin demonstrates eating at the Pump House. Photo: Christine Zelinsky.	Mikolas Bekeris, Liane Ryan and Hal Neace pose for a photo on the airplane back to Anchorage. Photo: Christine Zelinsky.
Mentors meet again after Start Up over Zoom for continued training. Photo: Christine Zelinsky.

Hal and the class of his ECT in Utqiaġvik, Via Potola. Photo: Hal Neace.	Hal poses with his ECT in Utqiaġvik, Via Potola. Photo: Hal Neace.
Hal and a few of the young scholars in ECT Patricia Houser's classroom in Deering. Photo: Hal Neace.	Hal and a few of Ms. Houser's students pose in front of the Deering school mural. Photo: Hal Neace.
Snow removal created some impressive snow "mountains" near the Deering school. Photo: Hal Neace.	Teacher Patricia shows the drum she made with guidance from visiting Alaska Humanities Forum instructors. Photo: Hal Neace.
2nd graders in Jack Ackeran's Akiachak class work on their robotic spiral pens. Mr. Ackerman is a 2nd year ECT. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Mentor Cheryl Childers brought the sprial pen project out for her ECT Mr Ackerman to use as a lesson. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Butcher paper worked much better for the pens as they revolved all over the student tables. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	The motor taped to the top of the cup has a "tail" that rotates and causes the cup to move in a circular motion. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
This young student concentrates carefully as he works with the wires for his motor. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Students first prepare their motors before mounting them to the large plastic cups. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Students run an initial test of their "robo-cups".  Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Student works on the balance of the three markers that make the tripod "robo-cup". Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Miss Laura Beth Drennen works with her student on the Owl Pellet Science Project. Miss Drennen grew up in Akiachak and is a 1st year ECT in Akiachak . Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Abby Augustine, Dawn Wilcox, Marie Russel and Cheryl Childers during Professional Development in Fairbanks, March 2023. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Mentor Hal Neace poses with ECT Michelle Kaleak at Fred Ipalook Elementary School in Utqiagvik after presenting her a certificate of accomplishment, acknowledging completion of her first year of teaching, and guidance by the mentoring program. Photo: Hal Neace.	Mentor Hal Neace poses with ECT Lee Ann Viehouser at Fred Ipalook Elementary School in Utqiagvik after presenting her a certificate of accomplishment, as well. Mentors present their ECTs each year with a certificate, if they've completed the program. Photo: Hal Neace.
Mentor Cheryl Childers snapped this photo of Miss Rosalie leading a small group activity at Gladys Jung in Bethel. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Akiachak student first moose catch of the Akiachak School hunting program. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Miss India and Miss Shayle team up to do a mini SEL lesson centered around dealing with bullying. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Miss India works with a 2nd grader in her classroom in Nunapitchuk. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Miss Marissa 4th grade ECT mentor Cheryl and Miss Rose 3rd grade ECT stand together for a start of the year photo. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Miss Rosalie teaches a math lesson using base 10 blocks and other manipulatives. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Miss Shayle works with a group of 1st - 2nd graders during center time. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	When no classroom space available Miss India makes do with the hallway to work small groups of students. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Mr Jack shares some first day expectations while Mr Henry looks on. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Mr. Jack and Mr. Henry lead a morning meeting with their 2nd graders. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Mr. Jack teacher and Mr. Henry, future teacher, greet their 2nd graders on the first day of school in Akiachak. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Mx. Kaedy leads a close reading activity with their high school students in Nunapitchuk. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Deering 1st grade class and their early career teacher, Patricia Houser.  Photo: Hal Neace.	Deering 1st grade class pose with Hal Neace.  Photo: Patricia Houser.
Deering 1st grade teacher Patricia Houser walks up the school ramp with the ocean backdrop behind her.  Photo: Hal Neace.	Flying into Deering on one of the small carriers in the late fall/early winter.  Photo: Hal Neace.
Mentors often must set up sleeping quarters in local schools for the night or two they're in a community.  Photo: Hal Neace.	Hal and Utqiagvik ECT pose for a photo.  Photo: Hal Neace.
Mentor Marie Russell's "Akiak Fab Four" ECTs, Jennassy Regal, Hannah Baird, Keaton Immekus and Stephanie Conlan. Photo: Marie Russell.	Mentor Hal Neace snapped this beautiful sunrise in Deering. Photo: Hal Neace.
MARCH MENTOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, UAF, MARCH 15th - 17th
Mentors form a circle around two mentors in the middle who had to spin while holding hands with another, in this trust exercise.  Photo: Keiko Herrick.	Mentors Marie Russell and Pat McDonald team up to spin circles.  Photo: Keiko Herrick.
Mentors and staff take turns in a circle exercise.  Photo: Keiko Herrick.
Utqiagvik 1st grade class use shaving cream on their desks to write words.  Photo: Hal Neace.	ASMP Lead Researcher Keiko Herrick and mentor Pat McDonald proudly sport their Maker Space bracelets.  Photo: K-12 Staff.
Mike Kernin, Liane Ryan and Gretchen Matiatos work studiously on their bracelets.  Photo: Keiko Herrick.	Pat McDonald makes rounds after finishing her bracelet, stopping to chat with Lesa.  Photo: Keiko Herrick
Mentors Pat and Lisa and ASMP Staff, Sean Rover work on the Maker Space bracelets that Ed Sotelo curated the activity for.  Photo: Keiko Herrick	Sharon Attla and Liane Ryan compare their handiwork.  Photo: Keiko Herrick
Mentors listen intently to each other share while in their circle.  Photo: Keiko Herrick	Mentor Mike Kernin adds to his story with some gestures.  Photo: Keiko Herrick
Hal Neace had a good chat with Senator Lisa Murkowski while they both were in Homer, recently.  Photo: Hal Neace	Sunsrise in Deering. Photo: Hal Neace

 

 

Caleb and Cali Taylor (left) stand next to Mentor Cheryl Childers, with Jack Ackerman. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	RyanTefft, India Knight, cheryl, Shayle Allen, and Kaedy Masters. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Kat Deem is an ECT in Bethel. Photo: Sharon Barker-Attla.	Kat is standing next to a working wall, where she's prompting her students to think critically. Photo: Sharon Barker-Attla.
Emma Freestone is in her first year of teaching in Tuluksak. Photo: Sharon Barker-Attla.	Emma Freestone chats with one of her students. Photo: Sharon Barker-Attla.
Minto ECT, Rose Wolfe, works with her high school class. Photo: Sharon Barker-Attla.	Braxtyn Gerald, a high school teacher at Nenana High School, stands before her classroom. Photo: Sharon Barker-Attla.
Cullen Chandler is a first year teacher in Tuluksak. Photo: Sharon Barker-Attla.	Cullen leads a high school math lesson in his Tuluksak classroom. Photo: Sharon Barker-Attla.
Jack Ackerman and Teaching Assistant Henry Kanulie pose in front of their 2nd Grade classroom in Akiachak. Henry has started his coursework to become a teacher. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	People rush to a house fire in Akiachak, to assist with extinguishing it. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Water hoses were used in addition to extinguishers to put out a house fire in Akiachak, at the end of October. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Akiachak residents and teachers helped to extinguish the flames with extinguishers from all over the village. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Mathew Taylor, a 1st year teacher in Akiachack, goes over a science lesson with his high school students. Photo: Cheryl Childers	Cali Taylor, a 1st year teacher in Akiachak, works with her 1st grade class. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Arthur Taylor, a 2nd year ECT in Akiachak, meets with his mentor, Cheryl, on Halloween. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Athos Spinola, a 2nd year ECT in Akiachak, works with his 3rd grade class. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
India Knight, a 1st year teacher in Nunapitchuk leads a 3rd grade science lesson in motion and speed. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Ms. Knight's 3rd graders get a brain break with a ball game. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Kaedy Masters, a 1st year ECT in Nunapitchuk, teaches a lesson in her high school level class. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Mentor Cheryl visits 1st year ECT, Rosalie Schiedler (born and raised in the Philippines) and 2nd year ECT, Kathleen 'Lit' Naneng (born and raised in Bethel), at Gladys Jung Elementary in Bethel. Both ECTs are teaching 3rd grade. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Miss Lit looks over a student's volcano art project after the class read and learned about this 'hot' topic. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Michelle Fedran teaching 5 years in Tununak (2021). Had a mentors for two years. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Miss Rose, as the students call her, records student responses at the white board for their English lesson on common and proper nouns. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Mr. Ryan Teft, 2nd year ECT, leads HS students in an Algebra 1 lesson about solving absolute value equations.. Photo: Cheryl Childers.
Shayle Allen, 1st year teacher in Nunapitchuk. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Ms. Allen works with her Nunapitchuk students on "CalendarHelp".  Photo: Cheryl Childers.
TJ is a 2nd year teacher. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Mentors need to find healthy meals while traveling! Photo: Cheryl Childers.
	Hal Neace's Eek School ECTs in LKSD,  Brittany Smith and Hannah Shovlin are both first-year educators.  They were supposed to fly out of Eek in December, but  flights were canceled. The school maintenance man took them by snowmachine to Bethel (a 2 hour ride) to catch the evening jet, where they managed to catch their flights for the holidays. Photo: Hal Neace.

 

           

Mentor Bob Williams, working remotely.

Mentor Ed Sotelo, working remotely.

An important message written by a student.

 

Molly Nelson, 1st year teacher, in her Tok 4th grade classroom. Photo: Sharon Attla.

Mentor Sharon Attla meets with her ECTs via Zoom. Photo: Sharon Attla.

 

One of Sharon's ECTs, Jessica Winkler, also a 1st year teacher in Tok, works on lessons. Photo: Sharon Attla.

Jessica Winkler works with her students. Photo: Sharon Attla.

           

Tamara Trefon is a 1st year teacher at Ayaprun Elitnaurvik School in Bethel which is a Yup'ik Immersion school. She teaches the entire Yugtun curriculum. Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Cathy McIntyre is teaching Yugtun reading, writing and science for 2nd & 3rd grade in her home village.  Photo: Cheryl Childers.	Layers of clouds parting revealing rivers flowing in the Anaktuvuk Pass area. Photo: Lindy Kinn.

 

Mentor Hal Neace is surrounded by 5th graders in Brett Steven's classroom in Utgiagvik. Photo: Brett Stevens.	Mentor Lindy Kinn took this photo while traveling over Anaktuvuk Pass.

 

A second grader in Pt. Lay sews mittens. Photo: Hal Neace.	Sunrise near Utgiagvik. Photo: Hal Neace.
Barrow High School Football team in Utqiaġvik hosts a game playing a visiting village. Photo: Hal Neace.	Flying over Point Hope. Photo: Hal Neace.
Margaret Baca a 1st year teacher in Tanana, where a couple of puppies sometimes follow her to school. Photo: Sharon Attla	The Brooks Range protrudes above a blanket of clouds. Photo: Lindy Kinn.
A second grader in Pt. Lay sews mittens. Photo: Hal Neace.	The Arctic Ocean near Utqiagvik Notice the polygonal shape of the permafrost in the foreground. Photo: Hal Neace.
Utgiagvik's directional sign. Photo: Hal Neace.	Point Hope Beach. Photo: Hal Neace.
Making akutaq in the classroom. Photo: Hal Neace.	Mentor Hal Neace poses with Frieda Grierson, one of his ECTs. Photo: Hal Neace.

 

 

A boardwalk in Noatak begins where the road ends. Photo: Chris Walker.	Tuttu is 'Caribou' in Iñupiaq. This poster board outside a NWABSD classroom also labels the other parts of the tuttu.  Photo: Chris Walker.
Atchagat is 'Alphabet' in Iñupiaq. Notice there are  24 Iñupiaq  letters, many that are in English, and some that aren't. Photo: Chris Walker.	Chris Walker's ECT in Noatak ended up adopting a dog while teaching in the village. Photo: Chris Walker.
Flying over the Noatak river. Photo: Chris Walker.	Mentor Maureen Petrunic rides a sled pulled by a snowmachine to the airstrip in a SWRSD village. Photo: Chris Walker.
Ikiliqiri (definition soon to come). Photo: Chris Walker.	An encouraging shoe shelf in the school of one of Chris' village sites. Photo: Chris Walker.
The signboard outside of Ms. Meredith's classroom is filled with thank you notes to Mentor Chris Walker, from the students. Photo: Chris Walker.	Mentor Chris Walker  arranged the donation of books to area schools. Photo: Chris Walker.
The Kuskokwim ice road is a method of travel in the SW region. Photo: Courtesy of Sandi Immel-Boyd.	The porch leading to the Nuiqsut teacher housing is packed with wind blown snow. Photo: Lindy Kinn.
Mentor Lindy Kinn with her ECT Steven Bridwell, helping to make qaspeqs. Photo: Courtesy of Lindy Kinn.	Small planes are also called "taxi's" in rural Alaska. Photo: Sandi Immel-Boyd.

 

A map lights up mentor sites where their ECTs are.  Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.	Mentors share efforts working on a group art project. Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.
The Sun illuminates mentors as they work together on the shared art project.  Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.	Trish Johnsten was ASMP Coordinator for numerous years. Photo: Monique Musick.

 

Mentors spill down the stairs at the Anchorage BP Center. Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.	Mentors, ECTs, Staff and leaders gather to meet and discuss issues. Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.
Michelle Thomason and Kellie Pitman share with each other and teachers, information about ASMP.  Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.	Laurel Dietz was the ASMP Lead Researcher for a number of years. Here she's speaking with Mentor Charlie Costello.  Photo: K-12 Outreach.
Mentor Marie Angaiak speaks with Anchorage State Representative Andy Josephson. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.	Michelle Thomason and Kellie Pitman speaking with Anchorage educators. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.
Outside the BP Center in Anchorage, in August, during ASMP's Startup for mentors. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.	Mentors post huge worksheets in the room of what they're learning and using in their mentoring trade. Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.

 

Mentor Dave Boyd takes a break at the Start Up workshop. Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.	Betty Walters and Kirstie Willean discuss some of the finer points of mentoring. Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.
Mentors Debbie Hawkins and Cathé Rhodes share examples of methods in mentoring.  Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.	Laurel Dietz (on right) with Education Northwest's Monica Cox, at the Start Up social event.  Photo: K-12 Outreach.
Mentors Sue McIntosh and Marie Angaiak join ASMP Program Coordinator Trish Johnston enjoy a break, walking on the Coastal Trail. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.	Woody Wilson works on some of the training assignments given to mentors by their trainers. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.

 

Mentor Sue McIntosh  listens intently to the discussion at Mentor Start Up.  Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.	Mentors, Staff and Leaders attend a social gathering in the evening following Start Up activities.  Photo: K-12 Outreach.
Cultural Coordinators Jan Littlebear humors her companion as she deflects the camera. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.	Beth Hartley and John Nielsen work together on some training exercises. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.

 

K-12 Cultural Board Advisors and veteran teachers Arnaq Yurrliq Nita Rearden and Esther Ilutsik share their cultural knowledge with the mentors.  Photo: K-12 Outreach Staff.	Arnaq Esther Ilutsik answers mentors' questions.  Photo: K-12 Outreach.
Mentors Brenda Luthi and Ann Ness take questions following their presentation to their colleagues. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.	Mentors Hal Neace and Carol Jerue discuss their presentation with fellow mentors. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.
Mentors Cyndi Petrovich and Kris Spellman discuss the finer points of mentoring. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.	Mentors Dave Boyd, Sue McIntosh, Debbie Hawkins, Cathé Rhodes and Chris Walker continue discussion following a Start Up session. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.
Staff members Eric Muehling and Craig Baldwin took interested mentors out for an Equinox training run after a long day of mentor training. Photo: Eric Muehling.	UA President Patrick Gambell and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dana Thomas present at ASMP Start Up for the mentors. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.
Mentors Charlie Costello, Ed Sotelo, Deb McCabe and Kellie Pitman continue discussing mentor topics following a Start Up session. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.	Cultural Coordinator Jan Littlebear presents material to the mentors. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.
Mentors Lindy Kinn and Marie Angaiak continue their discussion in the hallways of K-12 Outreach offices. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.	Mentors and K-12 Staff listen to President Gambell. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.
Mentors went for walks on University trails in the evening.. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.	President Gambell and Vice President of Academic Affairs presenting to the mentors and K-12 Staff. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.
Mentors Woody Wilson and Diane Klatt work together on an assignment. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.	Arnaq Esther Ilutsik answers questions from her ASMP audience. Photo: K-12 Outreach staff.