North Slope Borough School District Teacher Named 2023 Alaska Teacher of the Year

On August 30, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development announced that Harlee Harvey at Tikiġaq School in Point Hope has been named the 2023 Alaska Teacher of the Year.

Harvey is a 2014 graduate of the UAF School of Education and has earned her Masters degree with the American College of Education. She has been teaching at Tikiġaq School in the North Slope Borough School District since 2014. She has taught both first and fifth grade. Harvey has been involved with numerous staff development programs and extracurricular activities for students including the Inupiaq Spelling Bee, Battle of the Books, and is a Mapkuk Mentor for the North Slope Borough School District’s cultural curriculum project. Harvey’s classroom environment and instruction is centered on culturally responsive practices. Her peers commend her for her knowledge and respect of the Inupiaq culture. Similarly, her decision to make Point Hope her home and become involved in the community outside of the classroom has helped earn her respect and facilitates connecting with students.

“I want to congratulate and thank Ms. Harvey for a job well done,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “As a former rural school teacher, I appreciate the dedication she has given to her students, the school and the community of Point Hope."

“Congratulations to Ms. Harvey for this well earned recognition,” said DEED Acting Commissioner Heidi Teshner. “Ms. Harvey’s investment in the students of Point Hope is a shining example of how teachers not only help children learn, but also strengthen communities in the process.”