Q: How long is the school year?
A: The school year begins August 22, 2023 with an in-service and ends on May 23, 2024.
Q: How do I get to Kotzebue or to a village in the area?
A: There are daily flights from Anchorage to Kotzebue serviced by commercial jet service. From Kotzebue, several small airlines fly single and twin-engine aircraft to the villages. You cannot drive to Northwest Alaska; all transportation to and within the region is done by air, there are no roads connecting the villages to one another.
Q: How can I get an interview for an advertised position?
A: The first step in the application process is to complete the application. Once the district has a completed file it will be reviewed, references checked and an interview will be arranged for when an applicant's skills match the needs of the district. The NWABSD uses MICROSOFT TEAMS or SKYPE for interviewing those who are unable to attend job fairs or interview in person. You will need to have MICROSOFT TEAMS or SKYPE set up in advance for your interview.
Q: Does the district interview in the Lower-48?
A: The district always attends the Alaska Educator's Job Fair in Anchorage. The job fair is in early to mid-April each year. As needed, the district arranges for interviews outside Alaska. Refer to the Job Fair Schedule link for other Outside interview possibilities.
Q: Do I need an Alaska Teaching Certificate or can I use my teaching certificate from another state?
A: Certification is your professional responsibility and you should take care of this before you move to Alaska. You cannot teach in the state of Alaska without a valid Alaska teaching certificate. Please visit http://www.eed.state.ak.us/TeacherCertification for application forms and answers for many of your questions regarding teacher certification.
Q: What type of clothing should I bring?
A: Daily dress in the region is casual, yet professional. You may wish to bring one or two more "formal" outfits for special occasions such as holiday programs, local events, and school graduations. A variety of clothing may be helpful, from the light summer to very heavy winter clothes. Modern materials are designed for the cold, and nothing beats Thinsulate or Down for excellent cold weather protection. It is important to layer clothing to help wick away moisture. You do not need to purchase all of your cold weather gear before you arrive at your new home. It may be wise to wait and talk to fellow teachers before purchasing expensive items such as boots and parkas.