Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska

Rural School Leadership: Lessons from Alaska is a guide for leaders in rural schools. The book tells stories, provides clear examples and practical school improvement strategies. Throughout the book, authors discuss how leaders can help their schools meet the needs of both Indigenous and Western systems. Chapters are organized around specific areas of interest for rural school leaders, such as cross-cultural leadership, academic improvement, and leading small schools.

Janice DeVore Littlebear taught in Mountain View, Dgheyaytnu (Anchorage), and has mentored early career teachers with the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project (ASMP). She served as Director of the Teacher Education program at Alaska Pacific University and continues to lead ASMP’s efforts to support teaching through culture throughout Alaska.

Robert S. (Bob) Thompson has served as a teacher and principal in urban and rural Alaska for the last 35 years. He was involved with the State System of Support Coaching Program since its inception and served as the Managing Director of the program for four years. He now continues his consulting work from his home in Palmer, Alaska.

Christian P. Wilkens is an Associate Professor at the State University of New York, Brockport. He taught in Dzánti K’ihéeni (Juneau), Alaska, worked for the Alaska Department of Education, and has served as a school improvement coach in Kivaliñiq (Kivalina), Teeląy (Tetlin), Gitr’ingith Chagg (Anvik), and Qalqaq (Lower Kalskag).