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A Story of Transformation in Alaska's Education Landscape

Six years ago, a spark of hope was lit in rural Alaska with just $25,000 and a bold vision. Faced with rapid teacher turnover in Bristol Bay’s Indigenous communities, the Bristol Bay Foundation and regional superintendents voiced a shared concern: students were struggling to find stability in their educational journeys. They needed educators who not only stayed but also understood and reflected the communities they served.

This challenge gave rise to the Bristol Bay Teacher Retention Partnership, a groundbreaking initiative born from collaboration between the University of Alaska Anchorage (��ū�컨��A), the Bristol Bay Foundation and four school districts in Southwest Alaska. 

Two innovative superintendents, Bill Hill and Ty Mase, inspired the original vision for a graduate program designed to improve rural teacher retention by building on the real world work teachers do in their classrooms and communities. Their idea quickly gained momentum as a powerful partnership was formed, guided by the leadership of Aleesha Towns-Bain, ��ū�컨�� Foundation Board member and president and CEO of the Bristol Bay Foundation; Tonia Dousay, Ph.D., dean of the ��ū�컨��A School of Education; Tim Jester, Ed.D., professor in the Department of Graduate Studies; and the superintendents from across the Bristol Bay region.

The result was the , a program designed to train teachers and build bridges between educators and communities, between culture and curriculum. Jester led efforts to adapt the Master of Education in Teaching and Learning program to address the unique needs of teachers in rural Alaska. The educational path enhances the professional experiences of K-12 educators while fostering sustainable educational outcomes for the region’s students. 

“As a university, our greatest impact lies in how we prepare educators to serve Alaska’s communities with care, cultural humility and commitment. This program doesn’t just build a teacher workforce, it empowers future educators to see themselves as changemakers rooted in their local identities and stories. That is how we build a stronger, more resilient Alaska,” said Dousay.

Rural students benefit from learning rooted in local community contexts, which builds teacher confidence in employing culturally responsive practices. Moreover, the program bridges the gap between Alaska Native students and families by integrating local traditions and values into education, ensuring it is meaningful and empowering for the students and their communities.

Several positive outcomes have come from the initiative: 

• Teacher retention: Teachers in the three-year program have achieved a 98% retention rate while enrolled, well above the regional average of 59%. This stability is transformative for schools that have struggled with frequent turnover.
• Stronger cultural competency: Teachers who complete the program report significantly greater confidence and more meaningful local connections.
• A scalable model: The program’s success has led to its adoption in the Chugach, Galena and Lower Kuskokwim school districts, with ongoing discussions to expand its reach throughout Alaska.

By integrating culturally responsive practices and experiential learning, the program has transformed teacher retention and professional development opportunities in the region. The initiative strengthens the educational fabric of rural schools, honors Indigenous knowledge systems and aligns with ��ū�컨��’s mission to inspire learning, advance knowledge and serve communities.

“Bristol Bay Foundation prioritizes creating positive experiences for Alaska Native students in their classrooms to help them succeed in post-secondary education and beyond. I am grateful for our Bristol Bay superintendents' innovative approach to addressing challenges in our education system. This initiative is a bright spot that we hope will continue to grow,” said Towns-Bain.

Story by Maggie Demers, Director of Communications & PR, ��ū�컨�� Foundation. Special thanks to ��ū�컨��A (Tim Jester and Tonia Dousay) and the Bristol Bay Foundation (Aleesha Towns-Bain) for their contribution. July 29, 2025.