I'm Back (In the VAK)

So after a whole summer of relaxing (and not blogging) the school year has restarted, and things are just about fully settled down. So, time to start writing again!

This year I am teaching 3rd grade math and science. I am LOVING it! My students come in groups, AM and PM, and there are just 11 students in each group (How's that for an awesome student:teacher ratio?!?!) I really feel, so far, that I have been able to be a more effective teacher this year; it is so rewarding to see students being successful! I had a huge joy the other day hearing one student say, "Mr. Hutchinson, are we getting smarter?" Of course they are!

Winter has hit here in Chevak! Last night (Nov 2) our first blizzard moved in, it lasted about 24 hours and has since moved on. Last weekend I fired up my snowmachine and pulled it out of storage! I have been driving around here and there, we need a little more snow and some consecutive days of well-below-freezing temperatures to really make driving around more fun (For example, I got my ride seriously stuck in feet-high snow drifts 5 or so times today)

Finally, I am thrilled to be blogging from my new MacBook Air! :) I had been thinking about getting a new computer, so it was a huge blessing when the school wrangled up a DEEPLY-discounted deal! This is an amazing computer! If you have seen one (in-person or in pictures) then you have an idea of what I am talking about. However, until you actually have one of these machines in your hands you cannot understand the beauty. The computer is so thin and light-weight (especially compared to my old computer; see picture) that I sometimes forget that it is sitting on my lap!

I know, nothing too interesting this time. But hey, at least its something. You just heard me fawning over my new computer, hopefully it will inspire me to blog more! Stay tuned!

Old Meets New

Makes Me Wonder...

U.S. Teachers work more, get paid less

United States teachers work more hours for less money. I'm not as concerned with the money aspect as I am about the achievement levels of our students. If we teachers work more hours than any other in the world, why are our students underperforming?

The big thaw

So it's the middle of May and Chevak is FINALLY thawing! Of course this brings a lot of things:

1. Time to put the snowmobile away
2. No more winter gear!
3. Trips to the post office and stores are a lot longer now
4. It's once again time for mud boots
5. The end of the school year is near!

The lake (Picture taken 5/15-11:45p.m)

A Much Needed Update

I've been slacking on my blog, here is a general overview of April/early May...

Testing, Testing 1..2..3...
The beginning of April brought state standardized testing, always a hotly-debated subject in the education field. Without being able to see the test prior to test day (to deter "teaching to the test") I was nervous if my students would be prepared for the rigors. From what I saw and remember, and thinking back on what I taught, my kiddos should have been able to have success! I'm not sure when results will be back, so in the mean time I'll just be happy that standardized testing is done for the year!

Heritage of a Culture...
The week following testing was Cultural Heritage week. As I'm writing I don't have any pictures to post; either I'm really bad about having my camera or taking pictures, or they are on my other computer (probably both). The highlights of the week were two day-trips, one took my class towards the Bering Sea to go fishing, the other took us a couple miles south of town to go sliding (basically sledding without a sled). The other days were filled with mostly indoor activities such as NYO (Native Youth Olympics), beading, art, and listening to elders. Definitely a fun week to have to celebrate testing being done!

The End is Near...
After Heritage week there were only 5 weeks of school remaining! The week after Heritage week was highlighted by a visit from US Senator Lisa Murkowski (Not to mention Monday and Tuesday were vacation days!!!)!! I spent the last half of April cruising around on my new snowmobile, part of me can't wait for next winter so I can do even more riding. The end of April came faster than anyone could have expected, now the snow is (finally) melting and the lake is thawing! Its officially seal hunting season and seals are showing up all over town. I had the opportunity to try raw seal liver; i tried it plain as well as soaked in seal oil. Both were yummy! Now it is May and we are no longer counting down weeks; we are counting down days! Easter weekend was fantastic and I felt lucky to eat and spend the day with some very good friends! To friends and family in Indiana and Michigan: I'll be home soon, until then I'm gonna keep lovin' Chevak!

Senator Murkowski greeting one of my students in the hallway

Photo Courtesy of Kelly Stutheit
Seal Courtesy of Mother Nature
Dead Seal Courtesy of Ulric Ulroan  

Its all about the people

A shot of the crowd
As I write, I stand out like a sore thumb. I am writing from my school's gym where there has been a tournament going on over the weekend. I stand out because I am one of the few (if not the only) kasaq (white person) in the gym. I stand out; I feel right at home. Over the course of the tournament I have had the chance to get closer (and laugh A LOT) with friends, and meet so many other more people. To me, that is what it is all about. My teaching skills will only get me so far; the thing that will enable me to impact my students is the relationships that I am building. Several of my students are here watching basketball, and they have all seen me. They know that I am not the teacher who is here to just be a teacher; I am here for the people and experiences. To me, that is what bush Alaska is all about: people and experiences. As the tournament is wrapping up I cannot help but smile when I think of how many more of these I will get to experience, and the people I will get to know and develop relationships with! I am excited to go home and relax for the summer; I might be even more excited for August to get here!

Distance Education-Alaskan Style!

Chevak teacher aides work towards certification by distance

A Chevak Birthday

My room all decorated

Exploring the science of static electricity

My 5th graders Skype-ing with Iditarod champs Martin Buser and Deedee Jonrowe

Martin and Deedee

Time for birthday dinner @ Matt and Becky's!

My first birthday in Chevak was awesome! The day started with me finding my room decorated with balloons and streamers courtesy of Misty Nelson! Later in the morning my class got to have a Skype meeting with my mentor Kathy Chapoton and her husband Martin Buser (who is a 4-time Iditarod Champion) Deedee Jonrowe (an Iditarod champrion in her own right) and Magnus Kaltenborn (who has just completed his first Iditarod race). During the meeting Kathy and the three mushers sang happy birthday to me, that was a really special treat! School passed by quickly because we released at 1:30, seventy minutes earlier than a regular Friday! Since school got out early I was able to catch a nice nap before getting a present from my dad. After my errands I was treated to an excellent dinner of french fries and a turkey-cheeseburger before watching a movie to finish out the night! I had an awesome birthday in Chevak and look forward to many, many more!