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 Tikigaq School, the second largest K-12 in the state, serves 260 children. In the absence of a recreation or community center, the school plays a pivotal role in the community.
For remote teachers, adaptability and flexibility are key. Teachers are called upon to teach several subjects, but they are also afforded the opportunity to share their special skills like music or quilting. “The Bush in general is a fabulous place to teach,” says principal Phil Reese. “Teachers know within a couple of months if it’s right for them. It becomes your life, you get to know all the kids and parents by name and kids might even show up at your house for cookies. There’s a strong connection between the school and community.”
In addition to its regular menu of classes, the school takes the area’s Iñupiat traditions seriously and incorporates them into the curriculum. For the school’s annual Culture and History Day, students meet and plan a whole day of seminars taught by elders, like hunting and safety tips, beading, dancing and singing, skin sewing, survival skills, story telling, artifacts, carving and other arts. A recent introduction to the curriculum is the three-week pilot Whaling Class in which 21 students learn specific whaling skills and traditions. A federal after school grant gives some of the village children the opportunity to learn guitar, choir, oboe and to participate in Native dance groups . |
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Tikigaq Corporation is one of the schools biggest supporters. Every week for one hour, 31 employees come to the school to assist students with reading and Inupiat language skills. “You show the kids 30 volunteers and it has a tremendous impact; If students see the adults here, they think, ‘well, education must be important if they will leave their job and come here,’” says Reese. “The Corporation is very liberal with its volunteers, and it makes generous donations for student trips —they always seem to be there when we need help.”
 As in many rural Alaska settings, basketball is a community highlight; Point Hope consistently produces top-ranked boys and girls teams. The boys team, the Harpooners, was Alaska State 2A Champions, and placed third in 2003. The girls team, the Harpoonerettes, placed fifth in 2003 and several of the players were named to the All Tournament Team and others to the Good Sport Team. To add to the community’s favorable sports showing, the coed volleyball team took state championship in 2002.
Tikigaq basketball coaches Darlene Lane and Rex Rock, Sr., say, “we’re extremely proud of all of the teams’ quality of play and the sportsmanship they continually demonstrate.”
You can access more information about Tikigaq school on their website. http://www.nsbsd.org/pho/default.cfm
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