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Got News? Submit News to the Info Exchange at: deed.infoexchange@alaska.gov
February 2, 1931 – The flag was raised for the first time over the new Capitol building at Juneau. Governor George Parks raised the flag.
February 5, 1956 – The delegates to the Constitutional Convention at Fairbanks adopted a constitution for an as yet unauthorized State of Alaska.
February 26, 1917 – Mount McKinley National Park was established. It is now incorporated into the Denali National Park and Preserve.
Colonial Williamsburg: Summer PD Program & Webinars: Scholarships Available, Preference for AK Educators
Colonial Williamsburg’s Bob & Marion Wilson Teacher Institute is currently accepting scholarship applications for its fully funded Summer 2026 onsite program, “Revolutionary Roots: Teaching Civic Engagement at 250”—a special program created in recognition of the 250th Commemoration.
"While the deadline is February 2, we will continue to accept applications from Alaska until we have selected at least one scholarship winner.
"If you have any questions, send me an email at jschmidt@cwf.org and see below for information about the program and the link to where teachers can apply."
During the Teacher Institute, educators:
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Learn inside iconic Revolutionary-era spaces
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Engage with historians and historical interpreters
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Explore artifacts and special collections
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Discover instructional strategies and digital classroom resources
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Collaborate with educators from across the country
Educators and educator teams are also welcome to stay connected year-round through our newsletter, which highlights professional learning opportunities, classroom resources, and upcoming programs.
“Behind the Scenes of The American Revolution: A Conversation with David Schmidt and Mary-Kate Lonergan” | February 10, 7:00 PM ET - Registration Link Join the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute for a conversation with documentary co-director David Schmidt, followed by a media literacy discussion led by PBS-certified educator Mary-Kate Lonergan. Participants will receive 1.5 professional development hours.
"Debating the Constitution: Strategies for Teaching Civil Discourse with Primary Sources" | February 24, 7:00 PM ET - Registration Link Join Joe Schmidt, Executive Director of K-12 Education at Colonial Williamsburg and co-author of Civil Discourse: Classroom Conversations for Stronger Communities as he demonstrates a classroom discourse strategy that connects teaching the constitution using primary sources with student dialogue. Participants will receive 1.5 professional development hours.
Please reach out to Lindsey Horner, Educator Outreach and Engagement Manager, with any questions or ideas for collaboration!
 Healthy Futures is holding a statewide 7th-12th grade student art contest and seeking young artists to design trading cards of Alaska Sports Legends to be used as prizes for elementary-aged kids participating in the Healthy Futures Challenge.
Grand Prizes: 1st Place - $1,000, 2nd Place - $500, 3rd Place - $250
Entire schools. classrooms or individual artists can sign up.
More Info and Registration: https://healthyfuturesak.org/2026/01/07/healthy-futures-trading-card-contest/
Submission Deadline: March 5th
 The Alaska Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program is an excellent way to acknowledge the expertise, skills, accomplishments, and professionalism of teachers within your school. Submit your nominations using the Alaska Teacher of the Year Nomination Form. The nomination period opened on January 12, 2026 and closes February 28, 2026. Any interested Alaska citizen may make nominations for the Alaska Teacher of the Year. The 2025-2026 school year winning candidate will serve as the 2027 Alaska Teacher of the Year!
Nominees should:
* Have five (5) or more years experience in the field of education.
* Be a classroom teacher during the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years.
Please see the Nomination Form for other guiding principles.
The selected individual will serve as the Alaska State Teacher of the Year for the 2027 calendar year. Thank you for nominating an educator!
 The Alaska Society for Technology in Education (ASTE) is excited to share that registration is open for ASTE 2026, taking place February 14-16, 2026 in Anchorage. Since 1981, ASTE has served as Alaska’s only statewide EdTech conference and offers over 125 evidence-based professional learning sessions for educators, administrators, librarians, and program leaders focused on technology integration, digital skills, AI literacy, and career-connected learning.
This year’s conference is a three-day event over President’s Day weekend, with full conference registration options as well as reduced Weekender rates for added flexibility. Discounted registration for groups of 5+.
More information and registration at aste.org/conference
 Your Voice. Alaska’s Future Classrooms.
The Alaska Educator Exit and Stay Survey officially launched Tuesday, February 3 and will remain open throughout February and March. This confidential statewide survey gives educators an opportunity to share the professional and personal factors that influence job satisfaction, retention, and career decisions, helping shape future workforce strategies across Alaska. Each educator receives a unique survey link sent to the private email address submitted with their teacher certification application. Responses are anonymous. If you did not receive a link, please contact Staci Corey at slcorey@alaska.edu. For more information, see the attached flyer.
 Recognize the Signs. Support Student Health.
A new visual guide from the American Diabetes Association provides a quick overview of Type 1 Diabetes risk factors, screening options, and early warning signs that can appear in children and teens. For K–12 educators, understanding common symptoms such as frequent thirst, repeated bathroom use, sudden fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or blurred vision can help with early identification and timely communication with families and school health staff. Building basic awareness in school communities supports student safety and well-being. For more information, see the attached infographic.
 Mark your calendar!
The fifth annual Alaska Science of Reading Symposium will be held May 1-3, 2026, at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage, and you won't want to miss it! Once again, the symposium features a full slate of national thought leaders and experts in evidence-based reading and writing instruction, literacy leadership, and family engagement — all laser-focused on increasing reading achievement for Alaska's students.
Take advantage of early-bird pricing and register today!
Visit education.alaska.gov/AKSOR to learn more.
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