Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska

(Hardback)

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Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska is a guide for leaders in rural schools. The book tells stories, provides clear examples and practical school improvement strategies. Throughout the book, authors discuss how leaders can help their schools meet the needs of both Indigenous and Western systems. Chapters are organized around specific areas of interest for rural school leaders, such as cross-cultural leadership, academic improvement, and leading small schools.

Reviews

Given the increasing cultural diversity within our American school system, it is imperative that we are mindful of the stories, culture, values, and lived experiences that are told from the Indigenous perspective. When school culture and community values are aligned, students, families, and teachers will feel more empowered and supported. In order to be an effective leader, it is important for leaders to understand the people they are serving and working alongside, building connections to who they are and what they value. -- Tanya Mau, Hawaii Teacher Induction Center
I wish I would have had this guide when I started my career as a rural principal. What a wealth of insight and knowledge for administrators new to rural Alaska. -- Rick Luthi, MEd., Alaskan educator for 40 years, teacher, principal, and superintendent in rural Alaska.
Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska is an incredibly valuable contribution to the field. The conversation around Indigenous education has been growing, and for some time researchers have been monitoring the successes and failures (as we learn the most from failures at times) regarding Indigenous education. This book is one of a kind. In my time within the educational field, I have long wanted a book like this. -- Pearl Kiyawn Nageak Brower, president/CEO Ukpeagvik Iupiat Corporation, former president, Iisagvik College
As rural Alaskan educators, always needing to adapt resources to our unique contexts gets tiring, old, and can eventually prevent us from fully engaging with them. This shows what we can accomplish when meaningfully collaborating with local educators. I also love that our original names are used! Taikuu Tani - Aatlein Gunalcheesh - Chin'an Gheli - Enaa Baasee' - Qag^aasaachxuzakuq - Quyana cakneq! -- Suzzuk Mary Huntington, Iupiaq, superintendent, Mt. Edgecumbe High School, former teacher and administrator of Bering Strait School District
Leaders in small schools play a vital role in their communities, extending far beyond the traditional program. Schools are the heart of rural towns and villages where people gather for all kinds of activities such as feasts, ceremonies, meetings and cultural events. The unique nature of these important functions requires leaders who are empathetic and supportive. Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska should be in the hands of every educator! -- Barbara Angaiak, Alaskan educator and leader for 25 years in the Lower Kuskokwim School District; Alaska Statewide mentor

Author Bio

Janice DeVore Littlebear taught in Mountain View, Dgheyaytnu (Anchorage), and has mentored early career teachers with the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project (ASMP). She served as Director of the Teacher Education program at Alaska Pacific University and continues to lead ASMPs efforts to support teaching through culture throughout Alaska.

Robert S. (Bob) Thompson has served as a teacher and principal in urban and rural Alaska for the last 35 years. He was involved with the State System of Support Coaching Program since its inception and served as the Managing Director of the program for four years. He now continues his consulting work from his home in Palmer, Alaska.

Christian P. Wilkens is an Associate Professor at the State University of New York, Brockport. He taught in Dznti Kiheni (Juneau), Alaska, worked for the Alaska Department of Education, and has served as a school improvement coach in Kivaliiq (Kivalina), Teelay (Tetlin), Gitringith Chagg (Anvik), and Qalqaq (Lower Kalskag).