Its a late Saturday night–the Saturday before my first day back to school, just hours away–and I’m rounding on midnight here in my 4th grade classroom. Today has been delightfully active. We had a teacher work day that was broken up in the middle by a community welcome-back-to-school assembly. Some adults and many kids clambered into the gym bleachers: the kids running around excited to see one another and be in the gym, the adults sitting among the young, some welcoming me to the community. Some of the children that knew my name already called out their hellos. Dan began the assembly by welcoming everyone back for a new year and then introducing us new staff members. The crowd found it quite a kick to learn that Dan had actually taught me at one point when I was in high school. Carolyn and a games committee had arranged some competitions and prizes, so adults and children alike were brought forth for different challenges. We ended the event by pulling out the lunch tables and eating some grub of hot dogs, potato salad, and baked beans.
After school we cleaned up shop and I hustled to finish as many little tasks as possible before being “picked up” by Charlie and Bobby to go berry picking. Bobby is a teacher’s aid for Jodi (down the hall in special ed) who was a saint yesterday and not only helped me with my classroom, but did a boring, tedious task. She also stops by every once in awhile just to say hello and chat. Charlie is Bobby’s younger sister who was just hired to take the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders for their PE period, among other assignments. Bobby’s daughter and niece came with us berry picking across the tundra and we had a marvelous time breathing in the tundra fragrances beneath the high sun. Even a slight breeze worked in our favor to brush off any pesky bugs.
When I came home I made myself some dinner and was just in the middle of washing my mess when there was a knock at the door. Aaron, on of the boys that will be in my class on Monday, came to see if Austin had been around. I recruited him to rinse off the suds as I finished scrubbing the last few dishes and then gave him a slice of the sourdough bread I had made late last night before heading out the door with him in search of Austin. When we found Austin we made our way back to my home so that Austin could try some bread too, played a couple of games of cards and then tossed a frisbee outside. Lots of boys came to join us for something resembling 500 without the points and I recognized a few more faces of boys who would be in my class. After a half hour or longer I bid my farewell with the frisbee and headed over here to put in some much needed work. The classroom is coming together, but there is still much to be done.
All this to be said, even though I am putting in late nights at “the office,” I am having much too much fun to be accused of being a workaholic.
August 24th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Nice Post… I hope the first day of school goes well for you. What kind of berries were you picking? Looking forward to more posts.
Love you…
Bill
August 24th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Miss Bryson~
You are amazing and I am so excited for what God will teach you on your new adventures! How can I keep in touch? Mail, e-mail?
Miss ya and much love,
Joy
August 24th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Another nice post. Sounds like you’re keeping busy. What kinds of berries? Low bush cranberry, blueberry, or something more productive on the northern tundra.
Good luck tomorrow! Break a leg.
Love you.
Mom
August 26th, 2008 at 1:52 am
The day has finally come, Miss Bryson! You are an official teacher! Wowzers. I will be praying for your perseverance through whatever comes your way. When you think that you have no strength left that’s when you rely on God’s supernatural strength to carry you through the rest. Katie, he is going to do amazing things through you. I am very excited to hear more! Maybe I will end up teaching there someday…:)
Love you!
August 28th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Katie, it sounds like you haven’t slowed down at all. What fun! Enjoy that first week!
John Strang
September 19th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
How have things been going? I hope you are loving it! Miss you and keep us posted
February 25th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Man i miss you remeber me philomena kobuk man i wish i was there I am in anchorage i am comming home pretty soon i can not wait back to st.michael.
Your dreams will come true when you never find a heart to follow all the way.
I wrote that myself I been learning how to write poems ever since i been here.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
I got a yahoo you can write to me now.
How will your life will find you if you do not know what6 it is.
Mary Oymic i for got how remember when you alway s wanted to sleep over at Peter’s house and you were scared and bun-bun and us always play games with us.
February 28th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Wow, these posts are wonderful. I wish you would have them in print form somewhere so someone can write your story some day. My aunt moved to AK in 1958 to teach, and I wrote her story after she died in a plane wreck a year later.
Please, keep your posts forever. Your descendants will be glad that you did.
What village are you in? Donna was in Dillingham (First band instructor)
Between Breaths: A Teacher in the Alaskan Bush, is the book by University of New Mexico Press. I encourage you to write your story too! For now, save your stories.
February 28th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Katherine miss u all man i can not wait till i go back to st.michael.
from:katherine
February 28th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Can you tell me what is your phone number so i can call you at your house did you move to a diffrent house.