From Bucket List to the Bush: Christopher King’s journey to Chefornak

There was a time when merely visiting Alaska was on Christopher King’s bucket list. However, after teaching well over a decade in the Lower 48, King decided instead of just visiting, he wanted to jump all-in. 

“I quickly filled out an application for my current district and was hired early so that I could study up on ‘bush’ living and prepare for my trip,” King said.  “I chose to teach in Alaska to broaden my knowledge about a new culture, interact with the locals and for a definite change of pace.” 

King teaches 2^nd and 3^rd grade in Chefornak, in the Lower Kuskokwim School District. Transitioning from Indiana to a village of just over 400 people has been a major change. In addition to the geographic differences, the school teaches using a dual language program. Students speak in both English and Yup’ik. 

King teaches students in English for math and reading/writing, while Yungtun teachers instruct the children in Yup’ik in science, social studies as well as reading/writing for part of the day. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are Yugtun days. Tuesday and Thursday the students speak in English.

“The Yugtun curriculum is provided to the teachers by the district, and I am trained in DLE by the district periodically on how to integrate culturally responsive lessons into the daily curriculum in English,” King said. “I also was involved in the C3 program with the Humanities Forum out of Alaska this year which helped to assimilate me into the culture as much as possible with the pandemic restrictions.  I also took the cultural studies course and Alaskan studies course this year.”

Both inside and out of the classroom, King has found his experience in the village to be rewarding.

“Although things can be challenging at times, people in the village support one another and if you ask for help, they are more than willing to lend a hand,” King said. “The students have a true interest in learning and are excited to come to school.”