A "Bush" teaching job in Alaska

Am I crazy or what, but I've been contacted by the Alaska Teacher Placement about an art teaching job in AK, serving 9 remote villages, not accessible by roads, as well as online teaching, centrally located in Fairbanks. I can envision myself fliying into these villages by bush plane, and relating ot the native culture.
It would mean selling totally everything and moving there...except my cats! Am I crazy, just bored, or what? My daughter says she can totally see me doing this. Fellow teachers think it would be quite an adventure!
Your thoughts please.
Love
Patty

Did you check out their site; they have some good conversations going on the ATP iCommunity. I looked throught it and think you're crazy :-) but it could be a whole lot of fun, especially if it appeals to you.

http://www.alaskateacher.org/doku.php

Seeker,

Go for it! How exciting. Before you know it, this life will be over. If you go to Alaska, when you're old, you can think back on what an adventure you have had! If you're not tied down to anything, except for cats, what the heck? Cats are flexible. Wow--what an opportunity. There is an artist in everyone, no matter the circumstances or geography. You just may be the one to develop those skills and abilities in the people of those AL communities. Let us know what you do!

Patty,

I think you can do it, and probably should do it. When is another opportunity like this come up again!! It will be a trip of a lifetime.

EJ

OMGosh Patty,

That would be the most awsome experience you could ever possibly get the chance to do.

I do have a very good friend that I have met here in KY that got divorced...lived in Alaska for years with her military husband.....the problem was that SAD was so bad for her, it ended up that she couldn't function......they had all kinds of money & were doing all the back country things, downhill skiing, traveling around the Alaska area.....but somehow, the lack of sunlight really effected her horribly & she had to get away from there to get stabalized & then needed to not have to stay there continually.....her husband didn't want to leave no matter how much it effected his wife.....thus the divorce.....

However.....she also wasn't working & focusing on a job like you would be doing.....so I don't know how much effect that actually has on keeping the extreme depression from the lack of daylight away....by having something you are completely responsible for like the teaching job & feeling like you are providing something so valuable to the people there.

I know that I was in Alaska for a 10 day tour with our church group......it was in September & took the highway all the way around alaska from beginning to end......it is the most awsome beautiful countryside I can ever imagine & have seen......

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.....to choose an adventure.....to make a huge change in your life.....that is a good thing.....cause it gets us out of the ruts we are in (at least, the huge change I have made has done that for me). If you ended up having problems with the SAD....I wouldn't worry about it unless it hits cause it doesn't effect many that way.....just some.

I know if I had that kind of opportunity with nothing tying me down.....I would jump at the chance. I figure opportunities are put in front of us for reasons.....most of the time it is for our own personal growth.....& the new wonderful experiences we will have for that growth.

You have nothing to loose & a lot to gain from it,
Debbie

Hi, all, and thank you for your feedback and responses.
I did more research today, and, yes, Eskie, they do mention SAD as a problem up there in the far north! I also looked at the remote village schools and downloaded and printed the "new teacher" handbook in which they advise about warm clothing, footwear, housing, transportation, etc. It sounds like this job has a homebase in Fairbanks, though visits to the nine remote villages, accessible only by bush plane visits is required. I think it would be quite an adventure too.
Just trying to think what I'd do with all my "stuff," and whether it would be good to try for just a year, renting my house, etc, or sell everything and take the plunge. Housing, especially rentals, are more affordable than other areas of AK. As for pets, there seems much reason not to take them, as there would be so many obstacles to finding rental property accepting pets. But if I rented my house ...to a friend or someone trustworthy, maybe they could take care of the cats for a year, then I could decided if it was permanent, etc.
At the same time, I think maybe I'm too old, or don't have the energy for such a challenge.
I thank you all for the responses.
Love
Patty