- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
A Message from Our Commissioner
The gift of life includes the ability to experience conflicting emotions at the same moment in time. 2020 has certainly been an emotional year. How best do we reflect on all that has transpired? To despair seems to discount our successes, including a vaccine. To be overly optimistic seems to ignore the loss and pain we are reminded of each day. The fact is, we are filled with both grief and hope this holiday season.
As we feel, we also think. One of the most important lessons we've learned over the past ten months is that we must prepare our children for both prosperity and adversity. All challenges will not cease with the pandemic. The need for innovation will not evaporate. Student learning must remain at the forefront of our efforts, particularly in the area of reading proficiency.
The State Board of Education adopted a vision statement, based on statute, that is a vivid description of students who are prepared to thrive in any circumstance. AS 14.03.015 says,
It is the policy of this state that the purpose of education is:
to help ensure that all students will succeed in their education and work,
shape worthwhile and satisfying lives for themselves,
exemplify the best values of society, and
be effective in improving the character and quality of the world about them.
As we look ahead to a new year, we have an opportunity to re-imagine our public education system. Some changes due to the pandemic present opportunities for innovation and transformation in the future. How do we harness our experiences to shape the future of public education and increase opportunities for student learning? Presence is not enough. Returning to in-school learning is not our ultimate goal. We must be committed to effective learning opportunities, regardless of the resources, setting or circumstances.
More than ever, we should collectively commit to our mission of an excellent education for every student every day. When 2021 arrives, we will still lament, but we will also press on. We must.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
- Michael Johnson, Commissioner