@jacobbera.bsky.social
Wow…this should be required reading for legislators and anyone involved in education policy here in Alaska. #akleg www.adn.com/opinions/202...
Opinion: It’s not just about literacy. It’s a cognitive decline.
More Chromebooks won’t save education.
www.adn.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Wow…this should be required reading for legislators and anyone involved in education policy here in Alaska. #akleg www.adn.com/opinions/202...
June is a time when my concept of acceptance, love, and the freedom our country strives for is strengthened.
To my friends, family and neighbors who understand the significance of this month’s celebrations better than I do: I’m always proud to stand as an ally. I see you as you are, on your terms ❤️
To my friends, family and neighbors who understand the significance of this month’s celebrations better than I do: I’m always proud to stand as an ally. I see you as you are, on your terms ❤️
June 1, 2025 at 6:29 PM
June is a time when my concept of acceptance, love, and the freedom our country strives for is strengthened.
To my friends, family and neighbors who understand the significance of this month’s celebrations better than I do: I’m always proud to stand as an ally. I see you as you are, on your terms ❤️
To my friends, family and neighbors who understand the significance of this month’s celebrations better than I do: I’m always proud to stand as an ally. I see you as you are, on your terms ❤️
This is a brilliant opinion piece!
Sarah K. Lewis of Fairbanks writes in a commentary for @alaskabeacon.com that decades of inaction by Alaska’s leadership is leaving kids with the bill. She asks "Why are we OK with that?" #akleg alaskabeacon.com/2025/05/19/d...
Decades of inaction by Alaska’s leadership is leaving kids with the bill. Why are we OK with that? | Alaska Beacon
Sarah K. Lewis writes in a commentary that Alaska constituents are demanding a better education and better experience for their kids.
alaskabeacon.com
May 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
This is a brilliant opinion piece!
Override the veto, work to commit at least 45 legislators to come back into session to override his budget veto later on, and tell the Governor publicly it’s going to happen.
Are there 45 legislators who are willing to push back on his threats and unwillingness to compromise on education? #akleg
Are there 45 legislators who are willing to push back on his threats and unwillingness to compromise on education? #akleg
That was 100% the case, yes. He got most of what he asked for in this bill and is still going to veto it.
May 9, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Override the veto, work to commit at least 45 legislators to come back into session to override his budget veto later on, and tell the Governor publicly it’s going to happen.
Are there 45 legislators who are willing to push back on his threats and unwillingness to compromise on education? #akleg
Are there 45 legislators who are willing to push back on his threats and unwillingness to compromise on education? #akleg
Seriously…if you’ve never attended an elementary school choir concert, you haven’t lived.
April 26, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Seriously…if you’ve never attended an elementary school choir concert, you haven’t lived.
Senator Hughes saying she supports students and teachers right after voting against education funding can only be topped by Senator Hughes complaining about kids being used as “pawns” and “political theatre” while doing EXACTLY THAT five days ago. #tellingitlikeitis #akleg
April 23, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Senator Hughes saying she supports students and teachers right after voting against education funding can only be topped by Senator Hughes complaining about kids being used as “pawns” and “political theatre” while doing EXACTLY THAT five days ago. #tellingitlikeitis #akleg
I *might* have made it through the entire school day without any of my students noticing that I hulked out of my pants and blasted a hole under my butt bending over to pick up a box of classroom supplies!
April 23, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I *might* have made it through the entire school day without any of my students noticing that I hulked out of my pants and blasted a hole under my butt bending over to pick up a box of classroom supplies!
This is an excellent piece that’s well worth the read. Lots of talk about accountability and test scores this session, and @lgtobin.bsky.social does a great job of adding essential context for those who actually care to support teachers and public schools. #akleg
We’ve all heard that Alaska is 51st out of 53 in student academic performance.
51st out of 53 of what? Why does this matter? Should this matter? Hopefully my recent newsletter provides some answers, more context, and additional food for thought. #akleg lgtobin.substack.com/p/what-does-...
51st out of 53 of what? Why does this matter? Should this matter? Hopefully my recent newsletter provides some answers, more context, and additional food for thought. #akleg lgtobin.substack.com/p/what-does-...
What does "Alaska is 51st out of 53" actually mean?
Unpacking student assessment data, achievement metrics, and accountability.
lgtobin.substack.com
April 17, 2025 at 1:57 AM
This is an excellent piece that’s well worth the read. Lots of talk about accountability and test scores this session, and @lgtobin.bsky.social does a great job of adding essential context for those who actually care to support teachers and public schools. #akleg
The Anchorage School District announced this week that they’re eliminating another 54 positions (in addition to the 380 they already cut) from elementary Art, PE, Health and Music. After factoring for retirements/resignations, over 200 educators are now being displaced. (1/2) #akleg
April 16, 2025 at 6:57 AM
The Anchorage School District announced this week that they’re eliminating another 54 positions (in addition to the 380 they already cut) from elementary Art, PE, Health and Music. After factoring for retirements/resignations, over 200 educators are now being displaced. (1/2) #akleg
Only when volunteering at an elementary spring carnival will you have a random 9 year old come up to you, face painted like a tiger, and say, “I can make a cupcake sandwich” as she smashes two whole cupcakes together, shotguns them in 5 seconds, gives me a thumbs up and runs away. #legend
April 12, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Only when volunteering at an elementary spring carnival will you have a random 9 year old come up to you, face painted like a tiger, and say, “I can make a cupcake sandwich” as she smashes two whole cupcakes together, shotguns them in 5 seconds, gives me a thumbs up and runs away. #legend
When folks say “Alaska is ranked 51st in education” or our schools are the “worst in the Nation”, some are talking about reading/math scores on the NAEP standardized test for select 4th/8th graders. Others simply repeat talking points without really knowing where the data comes from. (1/3) #akleg
April 11, 2025 at 7:16 PM
When folks say “Alaska is ranked 51st in education” or our schools are the “worst in the Nation”, some are talking about reading/math scores on the NAEP standardized test for select 4th/8th graders. Others simply repeat talking points without really knowing where the data comes from. (1/3) #akleg
In terms of health insurance, Legislators should remember all of this talk of the benefits of “larger pooling” and “acting instead of just talking” when it comes time to talk about pensions and retirement reform for AK public workers. #akleg
April 11, 2025 at 7:06 PM
In terms of health insurance, Legislators should remember all of this talk of the benefits of “larger pooling” and “acting instead of just talking” when it comes time to talk about pensions and retirement reform for AK public workers. #akleg
Then, Sen. Stedman talks about making small talk with public workers about their retirement balances, one had SBS and the other didn't. "Same retirement plan, and one guy had $800K plus more than the other guy."
"I thought to myself, this is messed up. And it's not fair."
"I thought to myself, this is messed up. And it's not fair."
April 9, 2025 at 5:41 AM
The idea that Sen. Stedman, who introduced SB141 in 2005, is now “concerned”…20 years later…that the system is deficient without Social Security or SBS is infuriating. Teachers have been pointing this out for YEARS, with only a collective shrug from opponents of pensions. #akleg
Sen. Stedman also notes that there's broad concern that the current teacher retirement system is "deficient" without Social Security (they're not eligible because Alaska public employees are opted out) or the supplemental benefit system.
Says it's by "hundreds of hundreds of thousands per member."
Says it's by "hundreds of hundreds of thousands per member."
April 8, 2025 at 6:14 AM
The idea that Sen. Stedman, who introduced SB141 in 2005, is now “concerned”…20 years later…that the system is deficient without Social Security or SBS is infuriating. Teachers have been pointing this out for YEARS, with only a collective shrug from opponents of pensions. #akleg
I don’t get worked up over the BS pushed out by Must Read AK, but I was at this town hall. Rep. McCabe’s comments are totally false…he wasn’t even there!
Eagle River/Chugiak folks should be ashamed of anyone pushing this garbage. They’re misrepresenting and minimizing your civic engagement. #akleg
Eagle River/Chugiak folks should be ashamed of anyone pushing this garbage. They’re misrepresenting and minimizing your civic engagement. #akleg
March 24, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I don’t get worked up over the BS pushed out by Must Read AK, but I was at this town hall. Rep. McCabe’s comments are totally false…he wasn’t even there!
Eagle River/Chugiak folks should be ashamed of anyone pushing this garbage. They’re misrepresenting and minimizing your civic engagement. #akleg
Eagle River/Chugiak folks should be ashamed of anyone pushing this garbage. They’re misrepresenting and minimizing your civic engagement. #akleg
At the high school I work at, we tried for years to teach “responsible use” of technology under a “bring your own device” policy.
Epic fail.
I’m convinced that schools shouldn’t contribute to the negative academic, behavioral and emotional impacts on students, which are now well-documented. #akleg
Epic fail.
I’m convinced that schools shouldn’t contribute to the negative academic, behavioral and emotional impacts on students, which are now well-documented. #akleg
🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 to @wielechowski.bsky.social's mentee for their excellent and thorough presentation as to why cell phones should not be allowed in schools.
The kids are definitely all right. #akleg
(Personally, I am not a huge fan of cell phone bans, but this young person almost has me convinced)
The kids are definitely all right. #akleg
(Personally, I am not a huge fan of cell phone bans, but this young person almost has me convinced)
March 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
At the high school I work at, we tried for years to teach “responsible use” of technology under a “bring your own device” policy.
Epic fail.
I’m convinced that schools shouldn’t contribute to the negative academic, behavioral and emotional impacts on students, which are now well-documented. #akleg
Epic fail.
I’m convinced that schools shouldn’t contribute to the negative academic, behavioral and emotional impacts on students, which are now well-documented. #akleg
At the high school I work at, we tried for years to teach “responsible use” of technology under a “bring your own device” policy.
Epic fail.
I’m convinced that schools shouldn’t contribute to the negative academic, behavioral and emotional impacts on students, which are now well-documented. @akleg
Epic fail.
I’m convinced that schools shouldn’t contribute to the negative academic, behavioral and emotional impacts on students, which are now well-documented. @akleg
🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 to @wielechowski.bsky.social's mentee for their excellent and thorough presentation as to why cell phones should not be allowed in schools.
The kids are definitely all right. #akleg
(Personally, I am not a huge fan of cell phone bans, but this young person almost has me convinced)
The kids are definitely all right. #akleg
(Personally, I am not a huge fan of cell phone bans, but this young person almost has me convinced)
March 13, 2025 at 8:45 PM
At the high school I work at, we tried for years to teach “responsible use” of technology under a “bring your own device” policy.
Epic fail.
I’m convinced that schools shouldn’t contribute to the negative academic, behavioral and emotional impacts on students, which are now well-documented. @akleg
Epic fail.
I’m convinced that schools shouldn’t contribute to the negative academic, behavioral and emotional impacts on students, which are now well-documented. @akleg
Without a significant BSA increase, Eagle River High School (the top performing one in her district) will lose 6 of 30 teachers, the entire choir program, swim/dive, gymnastics and hockey. All Eagle River/Chugiak schools will lose 37 classroom teachers and all middle school sports! #akleg
Rep. Allard says she knows EXACTLY what her constitutents said when they sent her down here. She says her district already has the best schools.
She says that schools "need toe be held accountable for not managing their budgets."
She says that schools "need toe be held accountable for not managing their budgets."
March 12, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Without a significant BSA increase, Eagle River High School (the top performing one in her district) will lose 6 of 30 teachers, the entire choir program, swim/dive, gymnastics and hockey. All Eagle River/Chugiak schools will lose 37 classroom teachers and all middle school sports! #akleg
So…her solution to attracting and retaining good teachers in Alaska is “expanding the use of force on children”?
Not improving our terrible retirement plan that’s literally the worst in the US?
Not increasing funding so 6 out of the 30 teachers at my school aren’t cut this year?
Ugh…
#akleg
Not improving our terrible retirement plan that’s literally the worst in the US?
Not increasing funding so 6 out of the 30 teachers at my school aren’t cut this year?
Ugh…
#akleg
Rep. Vance on expanding the use of force on children: "This is a brave conversation."
She says if they want teachers to stick around, then they need to approve the amdendment.
"We want teachers to stay here in Alaska. ... They're facing a battle no one wants to talk about."
She says if they want teachers to stick around, then they need to approve the amdendment.
"We want teachers to stay here in Alaska. ... They're facing a battle no one wants to talk about."
March 12, 2025 at 1:28 AM
So…her solution to attracting and retaining good teachers in Alaska is “expanding the use of force on children”?
Not improving our terrible retirement plan that’s literally the worst in the US?
Not increasing funding so 6 out of the 30 teachers at my school aren’t cut this year?
Ugh…
#akleg
Not improving our terrible retirement plan that’s literally the worst in the US?
Not increasing funding so 6 out of the 30 teachers at my school aren’t cut this year?
Ugh…
#akleg
@akmemo.com has some of the best reporting in Alaska. And as an educator, Matt hits the nail on the head with this one.
Let's be honest. Behind all the rhetoric that neighborhood schools must do the impossible with less, what Dunleavy is proposing is a system that funnels what little funding he will support to the few — while leaving everyone else to fight over the scraps.
#akleg
www.akmemo.com/deep-dive-du...
#akleg
www.akmemo.com/deep-dive-du...
Deep dive: Let's be honest about Dunleavy's two-tier education system.
Behind all the rhetoric that neighborhood schools must do the impossible with less, what Dunleavy is proposing is a system that funnels what little funding he will support to the few — while leaving e...
www.akmemo.com
March 4, 2025 at 9:13 PM
@akmemo.com has some of the best reporting in Alaska. And as an educator, Matt hits the nail on the head with this one.
Don’t be surprised, RATM and Public Enemy warned us about this…
Good afternoon fellow serfs! That feeling of gaslit insanity & disorientation you’ve got is intentionally provoked by years of targeted disinfo & culture war-propaganda geared toward making American democracy a vehicle to enrich billionaires at your expense. Trust your gut & read international news.
February 19, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Don’t be surprised, RATM and Public Enemy warned us about this…
Failing is how you learn.
I became a better teacher when I learned how to emphasize the importance of failure and learning from mistakes.
Process over product prepares kids for a future we can’t yet envision. I use clay to teach this valuable lesson. And as you can see, I’m still learning!
I became a better teacher when I learned how to emphasize the importance of failure and learning from mistakes.
Process over product prepares kids for a future we can’t yet envision. I use clay to teach this valuable lesson. And as you can see, I’m still learning!
January 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Failing is how you learn.
I became a better teacher when I learned how to emphasize the importance of failure and learning from mistakes.
Process over product prepares kids for a future we can’t yet envision. I use clay to teach this valuable lesson. And as you can see, I’m still learning!
I became a better teacher when I learned how to emphasize the importance of failure and learning from mistakes.
Process over product prepares kids for a future we can’t yet envision. I use clay to teach this valuable lesson. And as you can see, I’m still learning!