Why I Want to Be a Teacher, by Hannah O'Brien,
7th grade Bethel Regional High School, November 2004

" I want to be an art teacher. I want to be an art teacher because I want to show how much fun art can be. To show them techniques, how to mix colors, give them ideas of what to draw and a whole bunch of other things.

It also seems like fun to be a teacher. You always get to teach people new things, and you learn new things to.

I know it won't be easy, but it sure seems like fun. I also want them not to have a bad life. By teaching them art it might keep them out of drugs, drinking, smoking and all those other bad things.

By being a teacher I can make a difference in peoples' lives. I can teach them something new every day of school. I know I like school; I want other people to enjoy school. I want them to say, "Yes Ms. O'Briens' class is next." I want them to be excited about school, because they need it.

Those are most of the reasons why I would like to be an art teacher."

Jeffrey and Janelle Paniptchuk are 16 year old fraternal twins.  They are currently sophomores at Shaktoolik School which they have attended since they were 3 years old.   Jeffrey and Janelle have both decided they would like to be teachers someday.  Jeffrey has an interest in teaching 3rd and 4th grade.  Janelle has not yet decided which grade level she would like to teach.  The twins are both active in many activities in Shaktoolik including basketball and volleyball.  Jeffrey is also involved in cross-country running, wrestling, and Native Youth Olympics.