St. Paul Island Future Teachers of Alaska Club

The St. Paul Future Teachers Club is entering it's sixth year of existence. The club began with the help of Mr. Stacks and John Wiese at UAF. Over the six years, the club has grown and it's activities have expanded as members work to promote teaching as a profession. Past and current activities include:

• Community Book Fair
• After School reading programs
• After School P.E. Programs
• After School tutoring programs
• Students serve as Teacher's Aides
• Scholarship Programs
• Newsletter Profiles
• Numerous fundraising activities
• Attend State Gatherings

St Paul island is the largest of five islands in the Pribilofs with a total population of 495. St Paul has the largest Aleut population in the world. It lies about 47 miles north of St. George Island, 240 miles north of the Aleutian Islands, 300 miles west of the Alaska mainland, and 750 air miles west of Anchorage. St. Paul is about 40 square miles of land in the middle of the Bering Sea.

Russian fur traders discovered the Pribilofs in 1786. The Russian fur traders relocated Aleuts from Siberia, Atka, and Unalaska to the Pribilofs to hunt the fur seals. In 1870 the ACC (Alaska Commercial Company) was granted a 20-year sealing lease by the U.S. Government. Twenty years later, in 1890, the ACC was awarded a second 20-year lease but the seals had been over harvested and there was a three year moratorium placed on harvesting. Today, fur seals are allowed to be killed for subsistence in July of each year.

The fur seal industry played an important role in the until about 1985. The economy today is based on the crab and fisheries industries. With the improvements in the harbor, the economy has had a chance to grow. The commercial fishing done in the summer also serves as a large source of income for the people.

St. Paul’s water is supplied by wells. All of the homes are connected to a sewer and piped water system with full plumbing. There is also an ocean fall out system for the seafood processing waste. Completed projects on the island include a landfill, incinerator, sludge and oil disposal site and also a $3 million dollar power plant. The community has a clinic, an Alaska Commercial store, a hotel, and a few other small businesses. Two airlines provide somewhat regular service to the island. The local corporation provides television and cable Internet connections, and there is also a public radio station.

About 100 students, K-12 grade, attend the one school located in the community. There are currently nine teachers, one para-professional, two maintenance/custodial persons, and a school secretary. The school has a large library, computer lab, wood working shop, music/art room, home economics room, and an almost full sized gym. The school is fortunate to have state of the art technology available to all students. Several mobile laptop labs are available, video conferencing technology is used to teach students on St. George Island, and teachers use SMART board technology in daily instruction. Students from K-12 walk to school or are transported by the parents. St. Paul School has met Adequate Yearly Progress as defined by NCLB every year. The school boasts a very positive atmosphere and a culture that promotes the philosophy that all students can not only learn but excel. The school actively promotes parent and community involvement and students are given many opportunities to participate in activities after school as well as travel for educational events off island. The school motto is, “Together, We Make A Difference.”

This year's Future Teacher Club has six members: Seniors-Sophia Zacharof, Ilarion Chapman, Shane Baldwin, and Neon Krukoff. Junior-Daria Isaac, and Sophomore-Cara Mandregan. All students are actively involved in the club and their profiles are below.

Ilarion Chapman, a senior, plans to attend UAA after graduation. Ilarion is currently taking a pre-calculus class through UAF and receiving college and high school credit. He serves as a teacher's aide to Mr. Stacks daily during P.E. Ilarion works with the eighth grade students in the gym and weight room organizing activities for physical education. Ilarion is pictured below working with the eighth graders on relay races.

Daria Isaac,a junior, has been a member of the FTC for the past three years. She has participated in all state gatherings since she joined FTC, and hopes to pursue teaching as a career after graduation. Daria maintains the school newsletter and writes monthly articles for the club. She has also been responsible for this website. She hopes to work as a teacher's aide next semester to get more experience. Daria is pictured below working on the website.

Sophia Zacharof, a senior, has been a member of the FTC for six years. Sophia is working really hard this year. She is enrolled in Chemistry, Geometry, and is particapating in the ANSEP Program through UAA. Sophia has also participated in all the club gatherings over the years and is very comfortable speaking in front of groups of people and taking on leadership roles in the school and community.

Cara Mandregan, a sophomore, is entering the FTC as a first-year member. She is also participating in the ANSEP Program through UAA. Cara wishes to attend UAA after graduation, and pursue a teaching career. She wants to be able to teach children everything that she has learned while she is in school.

Shane Baldwin, a senior, is a returning member for the FTC. He has attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School and has returned this year. He enjoys playing basketball, and honda riding. He works daily as a teacher's aide in the First Grade classroom. Shane is unsure about his future plans.

Neon Krukoff Jr., a senior, is joining as another first-year member of the FTC. He also enjoys playing riding hondas, and playing basketball. He fishes every summer for Halibut, with his crew. He plans on going to AVTEC, and is unsure about his future plans afterwards.