Alaska Staff Development Network

Working Together To Make Schools Better

Distance Education

Alaska History and Multi-Cultural Education Certification

ED 555B Multicultural Studies for Alaska’s Teachers with Dr. Panigkaq Agatha John-Shields

New Teachers and Teachers New to Alaska
Meet your Multicultural Studies Requirement

  • This 3-credit Course is approved through the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development to meet the Multicultural/Cross-Cultural Communications requirement for teacher certification.
  • Approved in Anchorage School District MLP.  Class size limited to 40.
  • Required Texts: Culturally Proficient Instruction and Culturally Responsive Standards-Based Teaching
  • Dates:  September 21, 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16
  • All online coursework must be completed by November 30, 2022.
  • Platforms: Sessions run on Zoom, asynchronous work collected on UAA Blackboard.

This course:

  • Provides a framework for understanding multicultural education in the context of the classroom, community, and society.    
  • Focuses on ways to build relationships within classrooms that support multicultural learning. Presents an overview of Alaska Native cultures, historical events, and worldviews.  
  • Explores contemporary education issues, including planning and implementation of classroom activities and strategies that fosters growth in teachers to accept and appreciate all cultures and value the rich diversity of the students in their classrooms and beyond. 
  • Incorporates Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools and the Guidelines for Preparing Culturally Responsive teachers. 

READ MORE/REGISTER

Dr. Panigkaq Agatha John-Shields

Instructor Dr. Panigkaq Agatha John-Shields has been teaching ED 555B Multicultural Studies for Alaska’s Teachers in a variety of formats including face-to-face, site-based in the field at fish camps, and through synchronous online sessions.  Dr. Shields is a dynamic and authentic instructor, and all versions of her courses have been very well-received and highly evaluated by participants. 

She has been a guest speaker and lecturer at teacher and principal in-service training in various school districts in the state including the Anchorage School District Summer Academy. Dr. Shields has also been a featured/keynote presenter for AFN, the Lower Kuskokwim School District, the RTI/MTSS Effective Instruction Conference, the Sealaska Heritage Culturally Responsive Education Conference and national/international events.

She is the daughter of the late Dr. Chief Kangrilnguq Paul and Anguyaluk Martina John of Toksook Bay, Alaska, where she was raised in a traditional and cultural community by many elder mentors. Agatha was a Yup’ik teacher and a principal for Lower Kuskokwim School District for 17 years at Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Yup’ik Immersion Charter School in Bethel, Alaska.

She currently is an assistant professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage for the Educational Leadership and Language Program for the School of Education. Her professional passion is to teach through the lens of personal stories and experiences integrating Indigenous education and culturally  responsive teaching and learning focusing on cultural proficiency.

Registration opens in August.

Distance Education

Earthquakes and Tsunamis for the Classroom

Registration for this course can be completed online via UA Online.  See pages 3-7 of this packet for step-by-step registration instructions.  If you are unable to complete the online registration process, please contact the PACE office for assistance 907-786-1934.

Alaska is one of the most seismically active places on Earth. This online course will introduce educators to various seismology principles and techniques for using data in their classrooms.  We look to provide educators with Alaska specific information to tie in a sense of place and investment for Alaska’s students. Each lesson will include videos and
hands-on activities that accompany the videos with homework, discussion forum requirements and reflection assignments. The homework will help educators become acquainted with earthquake science, where the discussions and weekly reflections will encourage educators to think about their specific needs and methods for using the lesson resources and information.  This course is offered through  a partnership with the Alaska Earthquake Center and the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology’s Seismographs in Schools program. IRIS’s Seismographs in Schools Program serves teachers across the country and around the world using seismic instruments or real-time seismic data in K-16 classrooms.

This is a 2-credit, 500-level professional development course designed for classroom teachers at all levels. No prior knowledge of seismology or software is required. * Course participation is limited to the first 50 registrants.  Applicants who successfully complete the Seismology in the Classroom course will have their fees reimbursed.

Featured Distance Education

New Courses – STEM Across the Curriculum and Teaching Climate Change

3 Credits – Graded 
500-Professional Development Level Credit through Alaska Pacific University
Meets State of Alaska upper division requirements for teacher recertification.

  • Registration opens January 13. Last day to register January 27.
  • Course runs January 27 – April 20, 2020.
  • Coursework will take place on the Alaska Professional Learning Network (AkPLN) 

STEM Across the Curriculum

This course is for K-12 teachers of all subjects who are curious about integrating STEM concepts into their current curriculum. Absolutely no math or science background is needed. 

Learn simple and engaging strategies for incorporating STEM into what you already do in the classroom. Explore STEM concepts and resources, design and implement a STEM lesson, and reflect on your practice.  

Participants will engage in collegial conversations with educators within and outside of their school regarding STEM integration. Simple and complex integrations will be explored and participants will construct short and long-term plans for future STEM concept instruction within the context of their own classroom.

Teaching Climate Change

This course is for K-12 teachers of all subjects who want to address climate change but are not sure where to start. Teaching climate change can be challenging, especially in the politically charged era in which we now live. Learn strategies for teaching students about climate change in an unbiased way that is hopeful and inspiring, rather than doom and gloom. Explore climate change concepts and resources, design and implement climate change lessons, and reflect on your practice.  

Participants will engage in collegial conversations with educators within and outside of their school regarding teaching climate change. Simple and complex integrations will be explored and participants will construct and short and long-term plans for future climate change instruction within the context of their classroom.

Distance Education

Register Today!

ASDN now partners with Learners Edge to offer these one-credit courses:

Self-paced, media rich, online courses with textbooks mailed right to your doorstep.

  • Registrations Accepted May 30 – October 1, 2019
  • Coursework Due: November 15, 2019.  You may complete earlier and your grade will be processed upon your completion.
  • All courses approved by UAA PACE for 500-level professional development credit and may be used for Alaska teacher recertification.

NEW TWO, THREE & FOUR CREDIT COURSES