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Rural School Leadership

Lessons from Alaska

Edited by Christian P. Wilkens; Janice DeVore Littlebear and Robert S. Thompson

Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska is a guide for leaders in rural schools. The book tells stories, provides clear examples and practical school improvement strategies. Throughout the book, authors discuss how leaders can help their schools meet the needs of both Indigenous and Western systems. Chapters are organized around specific areas of interest for rural school leaders, such as cross-cultural leadership, academic improvement, and leading small schools.

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Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 282 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
978-1-4758-7480-8 • Hardback • January 2025 • $95.00 • (£73.00)
978-1-4758-7481-5 • Paperback • January 2025 • $35.00 • (£30.00)
978-1-4758-7482-2 • eBook • January 2025 • $33.00 • (£25.00)
Subjects: Education / Leadership, Education / Rural, Education / Teaching / Methods & Strategies

Janice DeVore Littlebear taught in Mountain View, Dgheyaytnu (Anchorage), and has mentored early career teachers with the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project (ASMP). She served as Director of the Teacher Education program at Alaska Pacific University and continues to lead ASMP’s efforts to support teaching through culture throughout Alaska.

Robert S. (Bob) Thompson has served as a teacher and principal in urban and rural Alaska for the last 35 years. He was involved with the State System of Support Coaching Program since its inception and served as the Managing Director of the program for four years. He now continues his consulting work from his home in Palmer, Alaska.

Christian P. Wilkens is an Associate Professor at the State University of New York, Brockport. He taught in Dzánti K’ihéeni (Juneau), Alaska, worked for the Alaska Department of Education, and has served as a school improvement coach in Kivaliñiq (Kivalina), Teełąy (Tetlin), Gitr’ingith Chagg (Anvik), and Qalqaq (Lower Kalskag).

Introduction

Chapter 1: Rural Alaska Schools

Janice DeVore Littlebear, Sean Asikłuk Topkok, Christian P. Wilkens

Chapter 2: Being New

Robin Jones, Meghan Redmond

Chapter 3: Cross-Cultural Leadership

Robert S. Thompson

Chapter 4: Adapting Curriculum

Carol Thompson

Chapter 5: Career, Technical and Subsistence Education

Christian P. Wilkens

Chapter 6: Teaching through Culture

Abby Qirvan Augustine

Chapter 7: Academic Success: Leadership that Drives Change

Robert S. Thompson

Chapter 8: Small K-12 Schools

Evelyn Willburn, Deidre Jenson, Benjamin Glover

Chapter 9: School Climate, Safety and Learning

Lesa Meath, Janice DeVore Littlebear

Chapter 10: Supervision: Improving, Recruiting and Keeping Good Teachers

Robert S. Thompson, Christian P. Wilkens

Chapter 11: New Directions: Learning from Others

Janice DeVore Littlebear, Robert S. Thompson, Christian P. Wilkens

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Appendix A: Tribes in Alaska by Location

Appendix B: Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools

Appendix C: Alaska Indigenous Languages Map

Glossary

References

About the Editors

About the Authors

Given the increasing cultural diversity within our American school system, it is imperative that we are mindful of the stories, culture, values, and lived experiences that are told from the Indigenous perspective. When school culture and community values are aligned, students, families, and teachers will feel more empowered and supported. In order to be an effective leader, it is important for leaders to understand the people they are serving and working alongside, building connections to who they are and what they value.


— Tanya Mau, Hawai’i Teacher Induction Center


I wish I would have had this guide when I started my career as a rural principal. What a wealth of insight and knowledge for administrators new to rural Alaska.


— Rick Luthi, MEd., Alaskan educator for 40 years, teacher, principal, and superintendent in rural Alaska.


Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska is an incredibly valuable contribution to the field. The conversation around Indigenous education has been growing, and for some time researchers have been monitoring the successes and failures (as we learn the most from failures at times) regarding Indigenous education. This book is one of a kind. In my time within the educational field, I have long wanted a book like this.


— Pearl Kiyawn Nageak Brower, president/CEO Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation, former president, Iḷisaġvik College


As rural Alaskan educators, always needing to adapt resources to our unique contexts gets tiring, old, and can eventually prevent us from fully engaging with them. This shows what we can accomplish when meaningfully collaborating with local educators. I also love that our original names are used! Taikuu Tani - Aatlein Gunalchéesh - Chin'an Gheli - Enaa Baasee' - Qaĝaasaachxuzakuq - Quyana cakneq!


— Suzzuk Mary Huntington, Iñupiaq, superintendent, Mt. Edgecumbe High School, former teacher and administrator of Bering Strait School District


Leaders in small schools play a vital role in their communities, extending far beyond the traditional program. Schools are the heart of rural towns and villages where people gather for all kinds of activities such as feasts, ceremonies, meetings and cultural events. The unique nature of these important functions requires leaders who are empathetic and supportive. Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska should be in the hands of every educator!


— Barbara Angaiak, Alaskan educator and leader for 25 years in the Lower Kuskokwim School District; Alaska Statewide mentor


Rural School Leadership

Lessons from Alaska

Cover Image
Hardback
Paperback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska is a guide for leaders in rural schools. The book tells stories, provides clear examples and practical school improvement strategies. Throughout the book, authors discuss how leaders can help their schools meet the needs of both Indigenous and Western systems. Chapters are organized around specific areas of interest for rural school leaders, such as cross-cultural leadership, academic improvement, and leading small schools.

Details
Details
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
    Pages: 282 • Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
    978-1-4758-7480-8 • Hardback • January 2025 • $95.00 • (£73.00)
    978-1-4758-7481-5 • Paperback • January 2025 • $35.00 • (£30.00)
    978-1-4758-7482-2 • eBook • January 2025 • $33.00 • (£25.00)
    Subjects: Education / Leadership, Education / Rural, Education / Teaching / Methods & Strategies
Author
Author
  • Janice DeVore Littlebear taught in Mountain View, Dgheyaytnu (Anchorage), and has mentored early career teachers with the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project (ASMP). She served as Director of the Teacher Education program at Alaska Pacific University and continues to lead ASMP’s efforts to support teaching through culture throughout Alaska.

    Robert S. (Bob) Thompson has served as a teacher and principal in urban and rural Alaska for the last 35 years. He was involved with the State System of Support Coaching Program since its inception and served as the Managing Director of the program for four years. He now continues his consulting work from his home in Palmer, Alaska.

    Christian P. Wilkens is an Associate Professor at the State University of New York, Brockport. He taught in Dzánti K’ihéeni (Juneau), Alaska, worked for the Alaska Department of Education, and has served as a school improvement coach in Kivaliñiq (Kivalina), Teełąy (Tetlin), Gitr’ingith Chagg (Anvik), and Qalqaq (Lower Kalskag).

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Introduction

    Chapter 1: Rural Alaska Schools

    Janice DeVore Littlebear, Sean Asikłuk Topkok, Christian P. Wilkens

    Chapter 2: Being New

    Robin Jones, Meghan Redmond

    Chapter 3: Cross-Cultural Leadership

    Robert S. Thompson

    Chapter 4: Adapting Curriculum

    Carol Thompson

    Chapter 5: Career, Technical and Subsistence Education

    Christian P. Wilkens

    Chapter 6: Teaching through Culture

    Abby Qirvan Augustine

    Chapter 7: Academic Success: Leadership that Drives Change

    Robert S. Thompson

    Chapter 8: Small K-12 Schools

    Evelyn Willburn, Deidre Jenson, Benjamin Glover

    Chapter 9: School Climate, Safety and Learning

    Lesa Meath, Janice DeVore Littlebear

    Chapter 10: Supervision: Improving, Recruiting and Keeping Good Teachers

    Robert S. Thompson, Christian P. Wilkens

    Chapter 11: New Directions: Learning from Others

    Janice DeVore Littlebear, Robert S. Thompson, Christian P. Wilkens

    Epilogue

    Acknowledgements

    Appendix A: Tribes in Alaska by Location

    Appendix B: Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools

    Appendix C: Alaska Indigenous Languages Map

    Glossary

    References

    About the Editors

    About the Authors

Reviews
Reviews
  • Given the increasing cultural diversity within our American school system, it is imperative that we are mindful of the stories, culture, values, and lived experiences that are told from the Indigenous perspective. When school culture and community values are aligned, students, families, and teachers will feel more empowered and supported. In order to be an effective leader, it is important for leaders to understand the people they are serving and working alongside, building connections to who they are and what they value.


    — Tanya Mau, Hawai’i Teacher Induction Center


    I wish I would have had this guide when I started my career as a rural principal. What a wealth of insight and knowledge for administrators new to rural Alaska.


    — Rick Luthi, MEd., Alaskan educator for 40 years, teacher, principal, and superintendent in rural Alaska.


    Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska is an incredibly valuable contribution to the field. The conversation around Indigenous education has been growing, and for some time researchers have been monitoring the successes and failures (as we learn the most from failures at times) regarding Indigenous education. This book is one of a kind. In my time within the educational field, I have long wanted a book like this.


    — Pearl Kiyawn Nageak Brower, president/CEO Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation, former president, Iḷisaġvik College


    As rural Alaskan educators, always needing to adapt resources to our unique contexts gets tiring, old, and can eventually prevent us from fully engaging with them. This shows what we can accomplish when meaningfully collaborating with local educators. I also love that our original names are used! Taikuu Tani - Aatlein Gunalchéesh - Chin'an Gheli - Enaa Baasee' - Qaĝaasaachxuzakuq - Quyana cakneq!


    — Suzzuk Mary Huntington, Iñupiaq, superintendent, Mt. Edgecumbe High School, former teacher and administrator of Bering Strait School District


    Leaders in small schools play a vital role in their communities, extending far beyond the traditional program. Schools are the heart of rural towns and villages where people gather for all kinds of activities such as feasts, ceremonies, meetings and cultural events. The unique nature of these important functions requires leaders who are empathetic and supportive. Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska should be in the hands of every educator!


    — Barbara Angaiak, Alaskan educator and leader for 25 years in the Lower Kuskokwim School District; Alaska Statewide mentor


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