1. YKSD Strategies for Addressing Teacher Shortage Challenges
Edit each slide to reflect your school’s information

2. YKSD Demographics
Yukon Koyukuk School District covers 65,000 square miles.
7 remote fly-in sites
2 remote sites accessible by road
7 principals, 50 teachers, 2 guidance counselors, 13 central office administrators, and approximately 100 support staff
Add any other facts about your school that you find interesting.

3. Innovative Partnerships
Alaska Science Literacy Project (ASLP)
YKSD partnered with UAF SOE to provide Science and Literacy professional development to 35 teachers in YKSD and 5 other districts (Delta-Greely, Yukon Flats, Tanana, Nenana, and Denali)
Secondary schools may want to include sports.

4. ASLP
UAF professor provided 3 credit hour classes each year for teachers to increase science content knowledge
Teachers developed Science lessons with Literacy and Math integrated to share with other teachers
UAF SOE students assisted teachers with research, etc.

5. NSF GeoSTEM Grant Collaboration
Provides pre-service teachers with mentored rural school teaching experiences
Huslia and Ruby will host pre-service teachers this spring

6. Grant Partnerships/Activities
ACHIEVE Grant
Provides new teachers with a cultural immersion camp prior to the beginning of school
Also provides a 2-day cultural training, an online course designed to support increased cultural knowledge, and ongoing support throughout the school year
MOORE Teacher Retention Grant
Provides a centralized system for Internet and access to satellite TV in all teacher housing units
Allows teachers to feel connected to the world outside their immediate environment

7. Strong Collaborations
YKSD and UAF-SOE work closely together to prepare teachers for rural placements within Alaska
Short and long term rural teaching experiences are critical for addressing the challenges of finding qualified teachers

8. Short & Long Term Placements
Short Internship (3 weeks) – provides exposure to rural teaching and helps the participant to get acclimated to teaching environment
Long Internship – free district housing, monthly stipend for food, travel to/from school for professional development

9. Student Teacher Placements
Placements in Allakaket and Minto
Very successful– Minto intern was hired as full-time teacher for FY17 in Huslia
Student teachers are placed with a mentor teacher
Field experiences (pre-service teachers learn about rural teaching by visiting remote schools)
Complete list to accommodate your school. Pictures could be added to this page.

10. District Recruitment/Retention Efforts
Monthly check-ins with new staff to insure their needs are being met
River School differentials ($750)
First flight to site paid for by district
Exit interviews
Signing bonuses
Professional development/teacher leadership opportunities

11. Highly Qualified Efforts
All costs associated with becoming highly qualified paid for by district
Support materials provided
Tutoring/test preparation provided
Courses taught over VTC by highly qualified teachers
Add any information for your school’s policy concerning absences. May discuss what PIN # consists of.

12. Recruiting Suggestions
Work with State of Alaska to allow districts to hire retired teachers without them being penalized.
Statute (e) limits the amount of out-of-state experience teachers may bring into a new position. In critical times, teachers need to be allowed to bring in more than just 6 years.