 The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development has announced four finalists for the 2025 Alaska Teacher of the Year: Benedict Cabasal (Anchorage School District), Jennifer Hornung (Kenai Peninsula Borough School District), Kaitlin Lenoir (Anchorage School District), and Kelly Rentz (Mat-Su Borough School District).
The finalists underwent three rounds of evaluation by committees, including interviews, personal essays, sample lessons, classroom and direct teaching recordings, and letters of recommendation.
The Alaska Teacher of the Year and an alternate will be announced by the end of this school year. The selected teacher will serve as Alaska’s nominee for the National Teacher of the Year and will be able to participate in programs and activities with other State Teachers of the Year, coordinated by the Council of Chief State School Officers.
“Recognizing teacher excellence is pivotal to elevating the quality of education across Alaska. Our four finalists exemplify the dedication, innovation, and impact that our educators bring to the classroom. Their contributions are a testament to the power of education to transform lives and communities, and we congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition” said DEED Commissioner Deena Bishop.
 Attention Educators and Administrators!
Keys to Literacy can work with you to put together a cohort for your teachers/paraprofessionals/administrators to have professional development in the science of reading. This course meets requirements for the Alaska Reads Act Educator Endorsement. Act now before dates are filled!
Teacher Certification has made a few changes to the Alaska Reads Endorsement application to simplify the process.
The form has been split into three separate endorsement applications:
If educators complete a DEED-offered professional learning course they do NOT need to turn in an application. Their certificate is on record with DEED and the appropriate AK Reads K-3 Teacher/Administrator endorsement will be added to their certificate prior to the July 1, 2025, deadline. You will receive an email with a link to TEACH AK where you can view, download, and print your updated certificate.
Note: There are additional requirements that need to be submitted for the Alaska Reads Act Reading Teacher and the Alaska Reads Act Early Education Lead endorsement.
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Application for Early Education Program Approval and 0.5 ADM / Formula Funding (EEP-ADM Application)
DEED is inviting applications for FY2025 Early Education Program Approval. Those districts who receive approval will be eligible to report enrolled early education students in the district’s average daily membership (ADM) that determines Foundation Formula funding. Funding will be granted at a rate of 0.5 ADM for each eligible 4-year-old and 5-year-old student.
Approval will be determined according to compliance with these requirements:
- Operate an early education program for three or more years,
- Consult all high-quality childcare programs within the school district boundaries, including Head Start [Sec 14.03.410(c)],
- Successfully implement the Alaska Early Education Program Standards, and
- Employ early education teacher(s) with the required and current teacher certification.
Due Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Sample Application: Form # 05-24-034 at Forms - Education and Early Development (alaska.gov)
Application: EEP-ADM Notice of Intent to Apply
Technical Assistance Webinar: Recording from February 21.
For more information, visit education.alaska.gov/earlylearning or contact earlylearning@alaska.gov
 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize
NOW OPEN: Schools have a great opportunity to partner with other districts for the 2024 Renew America's Schools Prize which provides grant funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at public K-12 schools to lower energy costs and improve indoor air quality.
The 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize implements a prize-to-cooperative-agreement funding model to streamline the application process, expedite the award process, and provide winners earlier with more targeted support. Like the 2022 Renew America’s Schools grant, the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize will fund energy-efficient and clean energy infrastructure improvements at school districts across America. Apply for your Alaskan school today!
For More Information: https://www.herox.com/renewschoolsprize/timeline
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The Results are In!
Based on pre- and post-tests, Academic Decathlon participants (statewide high school students) not only improved their academic scores, but also gained valuable communication skills and self-confidence.
The Alaska Academic Decathlon is a state and nationwide scholastic competition based on a yearly theme. Students compete in ten subjects both individually and as an integral part of a team. Aligned with National Standards and Alaska’s Education Challenge, the curriculum transfers across core content areas to increase student performance in Literature, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Math, and the Arts (other subjects include Essay and Economics, Speech, and Interview for high school students). Each team is made up of students with varying abilities and GPAs. The program can be offered as a class or after-school activity.
Learn More About Academic Decathalon Alaska
Register a Team for Next Year!
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"I love this program, not only for the academic challenges it gives us, and the engaging curricular approach to the various subject areas, but also for the opportunity it gives to boost the self-confidence of our participants. I’ve seen our students grow as learners, speakers, and team members through this program.
From the bottom of my heart, QUYANAQPAK!"
– Bering Strait School District Academic Decathlon Coach –
Help build Alaska’s workforce plan for the next five years!
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Take the survey online on your phone, anytime, anywhere! Your insights will directly influence strategies to tackle our state's workforce challenges.
To take our survey, scan QR code at left or use this link to take the online survey: Survey of Students Emerging Adults, and New Job Seekers (jotform.com)
Your privacy is important! No personal identifiers are collected.
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Your Voice Shapes Our Future Workforce!
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NWEA SoR for Leaders: Summer Intensive Course
There will be a summer opportunity for the NWEA Science of Reading for Leaders Course.
Summer is a great time for Alaska Leaders to take this course that meets Alaska Reads Act Educator Qualification requirements.
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DEED is committed to providing information, resources, and leadership to schools, districts, parents, and the public in order to support an excellent education for every student every day. Staff at DEED are engaged in meaningful professional work in support of Alaska’s most valuable resource – its children.
DEED values collaboration and relationship building, creativity and innovation, and mission-driven work guided by the Alaska’s Education Challenge. The daily work environment at DEED is energetic, collaborative, fast paced, and challenging as staff work together to support Alaska’s school districts and students.
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