Where I Came From and Where I Am Going

Where I Came From and Where I am Going

My beginnings were in a small Montana mining camp. Life was simple and the surroundings were beautiful and often extremely windy. The placid atmosphere was shattered when the government announced that the mine was no longer needed and would need to be closed. Where would these families find new homes and new beginnings?
This was an easy answer for my father. He had always wanted to go to Alaska to catch the big fish. So, one spring morning we loaded up a Volkswagen bus and headed north. It was a wild summer of camping and fishing. Somewhere along the line the money ran out and my Dad and a friend that had accompanied us, began to play for dances along the way to make needed funds to continue the camping and fishing. My mother rode in a couple of rodeos with the intent of making some extra cash, and then at the end of the line, Homer, she took a job as a restaurant. The school year was about to begin and no plans had been made for what was next so my dad took a job in Seldovia and we made a quick move. I was starting 3rd grade and was in for a new look at life. My father’s job lead him to various placed from Kodiak to Akutan working as a bookkeeper (fishing and hunting in his spare time). Eventual we moved to Port Wakefield on Raspberry Island (off Kodiak Island).
I wouldn’t say that I was an exceptional student during these early years. School was a lot of work for me. My parents always told us that you can do anything you are big enough to do, and I believed them. I always set my goals high and nearly killed myself off trying to meet them. This determination got me through college, though I would not say I really learned how to be a good student until near the end of that time.
After raising a family of seven children I have acquired a deeper appreciation for learning and teaching. I have learned to value things like character traits, respect, kindness, thoughtfulness, and sacrifice. Without these all the book learning in the world will not make you a successful person. This has made me into a teacher that focuses more on a person as a whole and has given me a greater understanding of meeting student needs at levels that are not only academic.
After many years away from Alaska, opportunities arose that brought me back to the bush with my own family. We returned to a two room school. My husband and I were both secondary teachers. One of us had to go for and elementary degree while teaching. I fit better with the younger ages, so I was the one elected to the task. It took six years of minimal sleep, but in the end I had two masters!!! Who would have ever thought! Each class I took gave me some new thought or practice to incorporate into my teaching style and understanding of education. I have found that you are never too old to learn new tricks, and yes, you can become a better teacher with age. Old dogs can learn new tricks!!!
I think I will continue to learn and improve. I believe I will walk away from this class with new thoughts and insights that I can apply, and that I can pass on to others. My biggest hurtle is probably making time to become more proficient in technology. We live at a time that is almost foreign to me when it comes to the technological advances. I have learned a lot in this area, but I find myself hard pressed to keep up with the understanding of my students when it comes to computers, phones, i-pads and any other gadget that has buttons to push or slide. I guess I am heading into the cyberspace age with the hope that I can hang on and stay in the race.