Building a Future Together in BSSD!

There is much that is sacred and beautiful about our work as educators; however, there is much that is difficult. I wish NCLB (No Child Left Behind) or ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) was the silver bullet that could magically transform education by ensuring accountability among teachers, administrators, parents and students. However, I know there are no silver bullets.

Successful school districts do the hard work; they look at the work that has to be done, create a plan, and then execute the plan. They ask the hard questions such as: Are all students reading at grade level by the third grade? Are all of our students graduating with a diploma that is relevant to their aspirations, and does that diploma prepare them for success?

Teaching anywhere is hard work, but teaching in Bush Alaska requires a deeper strength, a deeper faith in the great promise of all children. The hard work of education happens in a classroom, on a desk, where the point of a pencil touches a piece of paper, and the kind words of a teacher touch the heart of a child.

In the Bering Strait School District, we are fortunate to have people who work hard, people who are selfless and who give of their time and every ounce of their energy. It is a great honor to be your superintendent. There is no limit to what can be accomplished when good people surround a common vision and do what is in the best interest of children.

Every school in our district is the heart of the community. All stakeholders: the teachers and principals, the support staff, the regional partners, tribal governments, the advisory education committees, the school board, the district office staff, every community member, our elders, parents and students must all beat as one single heartbeat. We are all teachers. Parents, you are your child’s most important teacher. But these are our children, and we must work together in guaranteeing the success of every single child. We need to continue reaching out to each other, listening to each other, and learning from each other. One single heartbeat.

Our School Board has adopted an aggressive 5-year strategic plan:

1. We will review and revise standards, curriculum, instructional methods, assessments and recording/reporting procedures.
2. We will develop and implement programs that promote cultural heritage.
3. We will develop a comprehensive career and technical (vocational) curriculum and delivery system to serve all students and develop specific plans to help students successfully transition to life after high school.
4. We will develop and promote family, community and regional partnerships to support students.
5. We will annually review graduation, dropout and attendance data and create/revise specific action plans.