The Teacher And The Superintendent

From its inception in 1885, the Alaska School Service was charged with the assimilation of Alaskan Native children into mainstream American values and ways of life. Working in the missions and schools along the Yukon River were George E. Boulter and Alice Green, his future wife. Boulter, a Londoner originally drawn to the Klondike, had begun teaching in 1905 and by 1910 had been promoted to superintendent of schools for the Upper Yukon District. In 1907, Green left a comfortable family life in New Orleans to answer the “call to serve” in the Episcopal mission boarding schools for Native children at Anvik and Nenana, where she occupied the position of government teacher. As school superintendent, Boulter wrote frequently to his superiors in Seattle and Washington, DC, to discuss numerous administrative matters and to report on problems and conditions overall. From 1906 to 1918, Green kept a personal journal—hitherto in private possession—in which she reflected on her professional duties and her domestic life in Alaska. Collected in The Teacher and the Superintendent are Boulter’s letters and Green’s diary. Together, their vivid, first- hand impressions bespeak the earnest but paternalistic beliefs of those who lived and worked in immensely isolated regions, seeking to bring Christianity and “civilized” values to the Native children in their care. Beyond shedding private light on the missionary spirit, however, Boulter and Green have also left us an invaluable account of the daily conflicts that occurred between church and government and of the many injustices suffered by the Native population in the face of the misguided efforts of both institutions.

What you do matters. You may not hear it often (or ever), but if you're an educator, you're making a difference in the lives of learners. And that impact has a domino effect. In Because of a Teacher, more than fifteen of today's leading educators remember the teachers and administrators who inspired and supported their careers. Through a series of heartfelt and uplifting stories, they reflect on their early years teaching, offering advice and strategies suited to first-year teachers and longtime educators alike. These personal stories offer hope for new teachers, encouragement for educators tiptoeing into burnout, and reassurance that the work you're doing right now will inspire generations to come. Because of a Teacher will inspire you to remember those who encouraged your love of learning; honor and thank educators who have advocated for you, championed your career, and equipped you with the skills necessary to lead; reflect on how far you've come since you entered the profession. Endorsements "Whether you are in your first year of teaching or nearing your last, Because of a Teacher will remind you why you went into education in the first place and help us all focus on what is really important: the legacy we will leave with the students and staff we are blessed to work with." -Allyson Apsey, principal and author of The Path to Serendipity "I would highly recommend this book to any educator I know!" -Morgane Michael, educational consultant and author of From Burnt Out to Fired Up! "Because of a Teacher is filled with voices from the field who remind us of the impact we can make with all students, even on our toughest days. If you are looking for an inspiring read to remind you why you went into the profession, this book is it." -Jimmy Casas, educator, author, speaker, and leadership coach

What would happen if you threw a teacher's curriculum out the window and empowered dyslexic and ADDHD fourth through sixth graders to learn at their own pace, focused on their areas of interest and abilities. Then mix in some troublemakers, along with some bright-but-bored in need of a good challenge. This experiment in child directed learning actually occurred in the 1970s led by a renegade teacher who had struggled with his own dyslexia in school before this condition was recognize; and an optimistic school superintendent who was intrigued with the idea of teaching problem solving and life skills instead of facts, figures and formulas. Fast-paced stories of class projects run amok and students facing their inner demons will warm your heart and entertain you. Plus, they may provide food for thought on reaching kids through self-organized, experiential learning before they lose their love of learning and fall prey to negative peer groups. A follow-up book, Renegade Class, is now available. It is the surprising story of what became of these kids in the 40 years after leaving the experimental program; the story of what worked and what didn't.