Tag: education

How can the Anchorage School District close its budget gap? | Alaska Insight

Lori Townsend talks with School Board Member Dave Donley, and Alyse Galvin of Great Alaska Schools, to understand the scope of the Anchorage School District's $68 million budget gap, and what can be done to address it.
The book cover of “Black History in the Last Frontier” by Ian Hartman.

Hometown Alaska: Black history and education in Alaska

diversity in Alaska, and raise the standard for how we observe and celebrate black culture?

State of Art: Fairbanks teacher makes Shakespeare accessible with new book

Rachel DeTemple wanted a better way to teach students Shakespeare that didn’t equate to period correct dentistry, so she put together a version of Hamlet that even the most Bard-hating reader could enjoy. That's why she released “Hamlet by William Shakespeare: The Know-it-All Version.” 

Rural schools struggle to move online when promised internet access isn’t available

With teachers relying on paper packets to monitor students progress, some fear that students are learning to dislike school.

Suddenly at home with the kids all day? Here are some tips from a homeschooling pro

The first tip for parents thrust into the role of homeschooling their kids: be kinder to yourself.

Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez

This June 9th through the 16th the twenty-sixth annual Last Frontier Theatre Conference will happen in Valdez, Alaska. Playwrights, actors, directors, and even a few fight choreographers will all spend a week exploring and celebrating new works as well as discovering new friends and reestablishing old ones. Conference Coordinator Dawson Moore joins Stage Talk this week via phone to talk about what will be happening this year. Thanks for listening!

Anchorage Chamber Music Festival

Co-founders and directors of the Anchorage Chamber Music Festival (currently in residence at Alaska Pacific UniversityChristine Harada Li and Nathaniel Pierce take time from their busy teaching and performing schedule to drop by the studio to let us know about this exciting and relatively new music fest. KSKA: Friday, August 14, at 2:45 p.m. Listen Now:

Alaska Theatre of Youth’s new Executive Director

This week on Stage Talk we meet the new Executive Director of Alaska Theatre of Youth, Max Aronson. And along with Max, we talk with Amanda Boger, ATY's Musical Director and find out what's happening with this year's Summer Conservatory. ATY's Summer Conservatory Festival of Plays runs June 26th and 27th at UAA's Fine Arts Building Main Stage. KSKA: Friday, June 19, at 2:45 p.m. Listen Now:

Middle school teachers think planning time cuts are hurting students

There's tension in Anchorage's middle schools because some teachers feel they're being treated unfairly. Elective teachers have less planning time, and they say it impacts their relationships with the students. Download Audio

World School

A family tragedy inspired Mary Katzke to sell her house and belongings, take her 10-year-old Corrin out of school, and head off around the world with him. Now Mary and Corin are back, and they've produced a film and exhibit about their experiences called World School. They join us to talk about jumping off the deep end into the wide world. Listen Now KSKA: Wednesday 9/4 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm

ASD Cuts Impact English Language Learners

The number of immigrant, refugee and other students who need help with English is growing parts of Anchorage, but the school district is spread thin because of last year's cuts and they don't have the money to hire any new teachers or tutors. Listen Now

TBA’s upcoming season

Wayne Mitchell from TBA Theatre drops by Stage Talk to talk about their 2013-14 season and to have some fun with Jean and Steve. KSKA: Friday 8/23 at 2:45pm Listen Now

Four Propositions on April 2nd Muni Ballot

There are four different bond propositions on the upcoming municipal election ballot. The bond propositions on the Anchorage ballot would pay for education, emergency services, public safety, public transportation and road and park projects. Download Audio

Culturally Relevant Learning

Two plus two equals four no matter where you come from, but how you learn math or the other core subjects may be different for each of us depending on the world in which we live. For Alaska Native students, curriculum and methods developed for city kids may not work as well as lessons that are culturally relevant. On the next Hometown, Alaska Charles Wohlforth hosts educators working to make learning work across cultures discuss these challenges on today's show. KSKA Wednesday 3/6 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

What’s Your Question for the Mat-Su School Superintendent?

The start of a new school year holds promise and challenge. Just north of Anchorage, the state's second largest school district - with 45 schools and 17,000 students - is gearing up. Dr. Deena Paramo starts her second year as superintendent, capping a long career at Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District that started as a middle school teacher. She joins host Kathleen McCoy in the studio to talk about 21st century education, her ambitions for the new year, and to field your questions. KSKA: Wednesday 8/1 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

Teacher Appreciation

Whether you graduated last week or 30 years ago, chances are that there was a standout teacher at some point in your school career. Perhaps they had a unique teaching style. Maybe they took extra time or showed you special kindness. Or, they may have seen the potential in you earlier than anyone else. So on this program we celebrate and appreciate those educators who have made us all better people as a result of their work. We're joined by special guests Anchorage School District Superintendent, Carol Comeau, and two previous Alaska Teachers of the Year, Lorrie Heagy and Patricia Truman. KSKA: Tuesday 5/22 @ 2pm & 7pm

Endowment Fund Created in Comeau’s Name

The Alaska Community Foundation has established an endowment fund in honor of Anchorage School District Superintendent, Carol Comeau. Comeau is retiring after nearly 40 years with the ASD. As KSKA's Daysha Eaton reports, the fund will help provide grants for projects that will directly impact students.

State Senators Offer Alternative Scholarship Plan

The Governor will likely get a scholarship bill from the Senate this session. But it might not be the one he wants. ...

School Leaders Explain Plans To Deal With Budget Deficits

Local school leaders today got their chance to tell legislators how they are dealing with expected budget deficits for the next school year. The hearings followed the Parnell administration’s presentation yesterday at the opening of the House Finance Committee’s week-long series of meetings focusing on Education.

Anchorage School Board Candidate Debate

This week on Addressing Alaskans, listen to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce debate with Anchorage School Board candidates, Kathleen Plunkett and David Nees (Seat E) , Tam Agosti-Gisler (Seat F), Natasha Von Imhof and Starr Marsett (Seat G). Candidates discussed early childhood education, school bond propositions, Everyday Math, budget cuts, skilled trade education and past experience in the Anchorage School District at the Dena'ina Center on March 19. KSKA: Thursday 3/29 at 2:00 pm