 The Department of Education and Early Development would like to congratulate the Alaskan 2025 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Finalists!
2025 Math and Science Finalists
- Katrina Cooper: Eagle Academy School, Anchorage School District
- Alice Cumps: Petersburg High School, Petersburg School District
- Christian Haich: Polaris K-12, Anchorage School District
- Carol May: Juneau Douglas High School, Juneau School District
- Melinda Ragsdale: Wasilla High School, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
- Hannah Smith: Mitkof Middle School, Petersburg School District
A national selection committee, chosen by the National Science Foundation (NSF), will review the submissions from the finalists and select two Alaskan Awardees. “Each Presidential Awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a $10,000 award from NSF, and an all-expenses paid trip for an award ceremony.” (https://paemst.nsf.gov/)
Any member of the public can nominate a K-6 Alaskan teacher for the next PAEMST award cycle. Fill out a nomination HERE!
Educators, if you are interested in learning more about the PAEMST application process reach out our Alaskan coordinators:
Science:
Joey Jigliotti joeyjigliotti@outlook.com or Jennifer Childress jmchildressak@gmail.com
Math:
Sandy Schoff sandy.schoff@gmail.com.
More information about the PAEMST application process is also available online.
Past Alaska Educator Awardees
 Secure Your Spot for the FY26 Summit!
Registration is now open for the FY26 Alaska School Safety & Well-Being Summit, happening September 10–11, 2025, at the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage!
This year’s “All Hands on Deck” theme calls on educational leaders, key staff, and strategic partners from every district across Alaska to come together in support of safe, supportive school environments. We’ll collaborate on strategies to promote healthy development through trauma-engaged practices, improved school climate, and strengthened readiness for potential school crises.
Secure your spot today—we look forward to seeing you there!
Support the Summit!
 Support safer, healthier schools by becoming a sponsor of the Summit. This premier event brings together educational leaders, key staff, and stakeholders from across Alaska to collaborate on critical issues like school climate, trauma-engaged practices, and crisis preparedness.
As a sponsor, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your organization, connect with decision-makers, and demonstrate your commitment to student well-being and school safety. Gain visibility through exhibit space, branding opportunities, and direct engagement with attendees. Join us in making a lasting impact!
As educators transition from spring to summer and perhaps begin looking elsewhere to teach, please be aware of the Contractual Obligations that PTPC has the authority to uphold. Maintain professional communication with your current contracted employer and give them adequate time to find a qualified replacement should you decide to seek employment elsewhere. Leaving without adequate notice, or mutual assent is considered unilateral termination of a contract and may result in a one-year suspension of your teaching certificate.
Administrators, now is the time to book presentations for your fall professional development with melody.mann@alaska.gov to discuss the Code of Ethics for Educators, professional expectations on boundaries, communication and political activity, as well as contractual obligations. Let me know if you would like a virtual or in-person presentation to kick off your 2025-26 school year.
Walk in the Footsteps of History
to Celebrate America’s 250th
A Call for Applications from the National History Academy
In collaboration with America250-Alaska, DEED shares the The National History Academy’s call for applications from students and teachers:
The National History Academy is a four-week residential summer program based at Foxcroft School in Middleburg, VA, for 90 highly achieving 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. The program begins Sunday, July 6, 2025 and ends Friday, August 1, 2025.
At the National History Academy, students will walk in the footsteps of leaders who helped define and shape the American story and focus on critical events in our history – the fight for civil rights and voting rights, and women’s struggle for equal rights in America – while relating our country’s history to the serious challenges we face as a country today. Students will experience a college prep curriculum that includes historic site visits, Case Method Institute Cases, Braver Angels Parliamentary Debates, guest speakers, all while immersed in a college-like Residential Life Program
More than half of students receive full or partial scholarships, which are available on a need basis. Students may apply for a scholarship as part of the entrance application.Apply now at www.nationalhistoryacademy.org. For more information, contact the National History Academy at info@nationalhistoryacadmy.org or 540-882-4929
ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training provides a line-by-line overview and detailed explanation of the 2025-26 FAFSA process. Education and Workforce Development Professionals gain better understanding and navigation of the FAFSA form to ensure they can support Alaska’s students/families and adult learners with successful FAFSA completion.
ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training sessions are delivered weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a series of training sessions. Weekly ACPE’s Master the FAFSA Training sessions are separate sessions that cover exactly the same material. Individuals only need to register and attend one session; however, multiple sessions are available to accommodate a variety of schedules.
Please reach out to Dominika Szpotanska, ACAC Coordinator, for more details.
 Physical Activity – Resources for Boosting Student Success
All students benefit from physical activity. Therefore, it is important to cultivate an environment that creates opportunities for all students to participate in physical activity. The benefits of physical activity include:
- Improved concentration, memory, and classroom behavior
- Improved standardized test scores
- Lower levels of stress and anxiety, better sleep outcomes
- Stronger sense of social connectedness
- Motor skill development
- Reduced risk factors for chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes
Look at this information sheet for a snapshot of Alaskan students activity levels and how schools can enhance success through increasing physical activity.
DEED accepting Nonprofit profiles for inclusion in Alaska 21st CCLC External Organization Partner Pool
In order to increase the capacity of Alaska’s communities to offer high‐quality 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Out-of-School Time (OST) programs, DEED is assembling a list of Alaska non‐profit organizations with relevant afterschool and summer expertise that 21st CCLC grantees may be interested in partnering with when building their out‐of‐school‐time applications and programs. Community partnerships within 21st CCLC programs are strongly encouraged as they have the potential to increase program quality, variety, and sustainability. The term “partnerships” in this instance is used loosely and may involve for-pay contracted services, or in-kind services.
If you are an Alaska nonprofit in good standing with 3 years of success in running or working with OST programs and activities, you can request to be included in the “Alaska 21st CCLC External Organization Partner Pool” by completing and submitting the “Alaska Nonprofit Organization Profile Form.” Experience in any of the following areas would likely be relevant to 21st CCLC OST programming: Educational enrichment in areas such as STEM, drama, music, art, writing, math, physical activities; Career Competencies and Readiness; Positive Youth Development; Behavior Management; Social/Emotional Learning; Health and Wellness; Cultural Competency; Family Engagement; Evaluation; and Sustainability.
Please note: DEED has also issued a 21st CCLC Request for Applications in the past few weeks, but an organization is not required to be included in the Alaska 21st CCLC External Organization Partner Pool in order to be eligible to apply for an Alaska 21st grant as a main applicant nor to serve as a formal or informal partner on a grant application.
For more information, please see the 21st CCLC webpage or contact jessica.paris@alaska.gov
ACPE is Hiring:
College Intern
Are you a college student looking for full-time or part-time work?
ACPE is recruiting for a Juneau-based College Intern to perform administrative support and clerical accounting duties. For more information about this exciting job opportunity and to submit an application, please see the posting on Workplace Alaska.
AI Ready Skills – Available now at NO COST for Alaska Public Schools
AI Ready Skills is a credential program which develops and proves students’ skills in the evolving world of Artificial Intelligence. The program engages young learners through game-based learning in a highly engaging curriculum and rewards their learning with credentials. The program is easy-to-teach and uses Minecraft Education to immerse students in a fun and engaging learning environment.
Providing foundational knowledge in the subject of Artificial Intelligence, the credential program is comprised of 4 units – Introduction to AI, Exploring Data and AI, Coding and AI and Practicing Responsible AI. Students learn in a series of Minecraft Education worlds and prove their skills by undertaking both formative and summative assessments including a capstone credential exam. AI Ready Skills provides students with skills for in-demand job roles, building the workforce of tomorrow, and creating economic opportunity.
Find out more and request your free teacher account at https://aireadyskills.com.
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Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) is excited to offer a K-3 Alaska Reads Act course. eLearning Keys to Beginning Reading, Keys to Literacy asynchronous course is now live and available on Alaska DEED’s e-learning platform.
This course is approved by the DEED to meet the regulatory statute requirements outlined in the Alaska Reads Act. Upon successful completion of this course, educators must submit their course certificate to AK Teacher Certification to add the K-3 AK Reads Act Reading Endorsement to their Teacher Certificate. This certificate can also be used for 3 CEUs when renewing teacher or administrative certification.
eLearning Keys to Beginning Reading, Keys to Literacy is a 45-hour course designed by Keys to Literacy founder Joan Sedita, and tailored specifically for Alaska educators. It is a practical course that provides the background knowledge needed to teach all the components of beginning reading instruction. The instructional practices are designed to easily transfer to classroom lessons and can be integrated with any reading curriculum or published reading program.
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