Aklaq Spotlight
The Aklaq Spotlight is on Galen Pushruk! 🌟🐻
Galen is being recognized this week for his quality work and excellent attention to detail. Galen is both a dedicated athlete and an A student, demonstrating commitment and hard work in everything he does. He is always friendly, positive, and ready to greet others with a smile.
Galen demonstrates the Iñupiaq value of Humility, Atchiksualiq, by treating his peers with respect and never boasting about his accomplishments. He also understands that mistakes are a natural part of learning. Rather than becoming upset when something doesn't go as planned, Galen uses mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
Galen is truly a one-of-a-kind Aklaq, and we are lucky to have him as part of our school community.
We are proud of you, Galen, and you should be proud of yourself! Great job! Keep shining! 🌟🐻
#TellerPride #AklaqPride #AklaqSpotlight
Today, our James C. Isabell School Aklaqs came together for our Community Anti-Bullying March! ✋💙
📣 McCade led his classmates in powerful chants:
“NO MORE BULLYING! NO MORE BULLYING!”
Students carried powerful signs throughout town, sharing an important message about kindness, respect, and standing up for one another.
🏳️ Mr. B. proudly carried a banner through town as our students showed that Teller stands together against bullying.
With snow still on the ground from yesterday, it was definitely a chilly morning march! ❄️🥶 But that didn’t stop our Aklaqs from bringing the energy and enthusiasm.
We finished the march with smiles, pride, and a strong reminder that we are stronger when we stand together. 💙🐻
One School. One Community. One Aklaq Family.
NO MORE BULLYING! ✋
#TellerAK #GoAklaqs #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #StopBullying #AklaqStrong #TellerPride
AEC Meeting Agenda October 13th, 7:00-8:00pm
James C. Isabell School, Library Room
Verify Quorum
Approve last meeting minutes
Review of meeting norms
Land Acknowledgement
Looking over agenda
Action Items
Re-Orientation to the AEC
AEC Learning Spotlight and Board Policies
Membership and Student Voice
Student Report
School Opening Snapshot
Calendar
School Growth Plan/ Last years growth plan
September Data Bite: attendance
Federal/ Categorical Programs and Principal Report
Family and Community Connection
September Items
Open Forum
Adjournment
🐻💙 TELLER CULTURAL FESTIVAL — CELEBRATING CULTURE & COMMUNITY! 💙🐻
📰 This article is brought to you by the James C. Isabell School Journalism Class!
The Teller Cultural Festival was held in Teller from September 25th–27th, bringing together more than eight tribes to celebrate culture, community, and tradition.
One of our James C. Isabell School students, Aubrina, shared her experience:
“I had a really fun time at Teller Cultural Festival.”
The festival was filled with dancing, singing, visiting, laughter, and celebration as people came together from across the region. It was wonderful to see so many people sharing their cultures and celebrating together in Teller. 💙
Our Journalism Class was excited to help capture and share the story of this special community event!
Quyanaq to everyone who helped make the Teller Cultural Festival such a wonderful celebration! 🐻💙
Teller Pride. Aklaq Pride. Community Pride!
#TellerAK #GoAklaqs #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #TellerCulturalFestival #AklaqJournalism
James C. Isabell School is standing together to say NO TO BULLYING! ✋
📅 Wednesday, September 30th
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 James C. Isabell School
Our Aklaqs are marching to promote kindness, respect, and a safe community for everyone. 💙
We invite students, families, staff, and community members to join us as we stand together against bullying!
One School. One Community. One Aklaq Family. 🐻💙
Go Aklaqs! 📣
#GoAklaqs #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #StopBullying #AklaqStrong
🏃♂️💙 CROSS COUNTRY REGIONAL RESULTS! 💙🏃♂️
Our Teller Aklaqs RAN HARD at the Cross Country Regional Meet in White Mountain! The course was hilly, challenging, and the competition was fierce, but our runners gave it everything they had. 🐻💙
🏃♂️ Alex Topkok — 10th Place | 22:47.0
🏃♂️ Wilhelm Garnie-Risinger — 16th Place | 24:41.0
We are incredibly proud of Alex and Wilhelm for their hard work, determination, and the way they represented Teller and James C. Isabell School on the regional stage.
They faced a tough course and strong competition, and they never gave up. That’s Aklaq Pride! 💙🐻
Thank you Coach Samantha for an amazing year and the great pictures!
Congratulations, Alex and Wilhelm! We are proud of you! 📣
#GoAklaqs #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #CrossCountry #AklaqAthletics #BSSDXCRegionals #RegionalsBound
Today was the final day of our Aklaq Spirit Week, and we celebrated with Cultural Day! 🧡💙
Our students and staff showed up in some amazing cultural outfits, celebrating who we are and where we come from. Many of these outfits can also be worn at the Teller Cultural Festival starting tonight! We love seeing our school and community celebrate together! 🐻💙
👓 NEW GLASSES HAVE ARRIVED! 👓
We also received new glasses today from Tundra Health for some of our students. We are so excited to get these into the hands of our Aklaqs and appreciate the support in keeping our students healthy and ready to learn!
🏃♂️🏃♂️ NOW IT’S RACE TIME!
Tomorrow, Wilhelm and Alex will compete at Cross Country Regionals in White Mountain!
💙 Good luck, Wilhelm and Alex! Run hard, have fun, and represent Teller with pride! 🐻
Imagine. Believe. Achieve. GO AKLAQS! 📣💙
#GoAklaqs #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #CrossCountry #AklaqAthletics #SpiritWeek #BSSDXCRegionals #RegionalsBound
We had an AWESOME Pep Rally today, and the cheering, energy, and excitement did not disappoint! Our Aklaq community came together to send off Wilhelm and Alex as they prepare to compete at Cross Country Regionals in White Mountain! 🏃♂️🏃♂️
We brought out some of our Pep Rally classics:
🏃 Relay Race
💪 Tug-of-War
🔄 Tarp Turnover
⭕ Hula Hoop Pass
And of course, we sent Wilhelm and Alex off with some BIG Aklaq cheers! 📣🐻💙
🔥 One of the highlights of the day: our female staff took on the high school boys! The staff had a little strategy up their sleeves, tricked the boys, and then flattened them in the competition! 😂💪
We even had some amazing community members join in on the fun! That is what makes Teller special, our school and community coming together to support our students.
A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who came out, cheered, competed, and helped make today so special for our Aklaqs!
Now let’s keep that energy going! 📣
🏃♂️ CROSS COUNTRY REGIONALS
📅 Saturday, September 26th
📍 White Mountain
Good luck, Wilhelm and Alex! Run hard, have fun, and represent Teller with pride! 💙🐻
Imagine. Believe. Achieve. GO AKLAQS! 📣
#GoAklaqs #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #CrossCountry #AklaqAthletics #SpiritWeek #BSSDXCRegionals #RegionalsBound
Our Aklaq runners are Regional Bound! 🐻🏃♂️🏃♀️
The Cross Country Regional Meet is this Saturday in White Mountain, and our runners would love to have your support! Let’s show them how proud Teller is and send them off with some BIG Aklaq energy! 📣💙
🎉 PEP RALLY
📅 Friday, September 25th
⏰ 10:00 AM
📍 James C. Isabell School Gymnasium
Everyone is welcome! Come join our students, staff, and community as we cheer on our runners before they head to Regionals!
🧡 Tomorrow is also CULTURAL DAY!
Come dressed in your cultural outfits and help us celebrate our community, culture, and Aklaq pride!
Let’s fill the gym, make some noise, and show our runners that Teller is behind them all the way! 🐻💙📣
Imagine. Believe. Achieve. GO AKLAQS!
#GoAklaqs #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #CrossCountry #AklaqAthletics #SpiritWeek #BSSDXCRegionals #RegionalsBound
Today was Twin Day at James C. Isabell School as we continue celebrating our Aklaq runners competing in the Cross Country Regional Competition in White Mountain this Friday! 🏃♂️🏃♀️🐻
We had some fun twins and even a few triplets walking around the school today! 😂👯 What a wonderful way to build school spirit and show our runners how much we support them!
🌟 Tomorrow is CULTURAL DAY! 🌟
We hope to see our students and staff proudly wearing their cultural outfits as we continue celebrating our community, our culture, and our Aklaq athletes! 💙
Imagine. Believe. Achieve. GO AKLAQS! 📣💙
#GoAklaqs #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #CrossCountry #AklaqAthletics #SpiritWeek
The Aklaq Spotlight is on Huean Velarde! 🌟
Huean is being recognized for his hard work and positive attitude in class. He consistently turns in quality work on time and participates with a smile. He is willing to try new things and often goes out of his way to help others. Huean is always polite and kind to his peers, helping create a positive classroom environment.
Huean demonstrates the Iñupiaq value of Avoidance of Conflict, Paaqłakkutaiġñiq, by choosing to remain positive and treat others with kindness and respect. He also shows a strong growth mindset by understanding that mistakes are part of learning and using them as opportunities to improve.
We are proud of you, Huean, and you should be proud of yourself! Great job! Keep shining! 🌟🐻
#GoAklaqs #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska
Today was Spirit Day at James C. Isabell School! Our students and staff showed their Aklaq Pride by wearing their favorite Aklaq Spirit Wear as we cheer on our two fast runners heading to Cross Country Regionals in White Mountain this Friday! 🐻📣🏃♂️🏃♀️
The school was looking good in blue and full of Aklaq spirit! 💙🐻
👯 Tomorrow is TWIN DAY! 👯
We can’t wait to see what our Aklaq twins look like! 😂
Let’s keep the spirit going all week as we get closer to Regionals!
Imagine. Believe. Achieve. GO AKLAQS! 📣💙
#GoAklaqs #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #CrossCountry #AklaqAthletics #SpiritWeek
Here are some more pictures from our NACTEC visit! Our Aklaqs had a great time getting hands-on, exploring different careers, learning new skills, and discovering what opportunities are available to them.
We love seeing our students learning by doing and getting excited about their futures! 🐻💙
#NACTEC #BSSD #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #CareerEducation #HandsOnLearning #GoAklaqs
JOB DESCRIPTION Opens: 9/21/2026 Closes: 10/05/2025
EDUCATIONAL AIDE (Special Education)
QUALIFICATIONS:
High School graduate or GED.
Related experience desirable.
Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with students, parents, and staff.
Willingness to participate in a training program to develop skills.
University credits desirable.
Able to safely, regularly lift and/or move up to twenty (20) pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.
JOB GOAL: To help students accomplish goals outlined in the Individual Education Program (IEP).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
To work with individuals and/ or small groups under the direction of certified personnel.
To work with children according to the guidelines of the Individual Education Program.
To follow the daily program plan written by the certified staff in conjunction with the special education aide.
To keep a daily attendance log.
To participate in special education workshops and other travel as directed by the site administrator.
To keep a daily log of activities and comments on completed tasks.
Other duties as assigned by the site administrator and special education teacher.
To work cooperatively with supervising teacher and other staff members.
SUPERVISES: Individual students or small groups
REPORTS TO: Principal and Special Ed Teacher
SALARY: Placement on the Classified Salary Schedule
LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT: Approximately 180 school days.
LOCATION: Bering Strait School District
EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of classified personnel.
Send initial application and resume to:
School Secretary, James C. Isabell School
Bering Strait School District is an equal opportunity employer. The District Title IX, 504 and ADA contact person is:
Director of HR, Bering Strait School District, P.O. Box 225, Unalakleet, Alaska 99684-0225
It’s Spirit Week at James C. Isabell School! This week, we’re celebrating and supporting our two Aklaq Cross Country runners as they prepare to compete at the Regional Championships in White Mountain! 🐻🏃♂️🏃♀️
🎉 SPIRIT WEEK SCHEDULE:
😴 Tuesday — Pajama Day
💙 Wednesday — Spirit Day
👯 Thursday — Twin Day
📣 Friday — Cultural Day!
Let’s show our runners just how much Teller supports them! Come dressed up, have some fun, and help us build the excitement leading up to their big race.
🏃♂️ Cross Country Regionals
📅 Friday, September 25th
📍 White Mountain
We are proud of our Aklaqs and can’t wait to cheer them on! Run hard and represent Teller with pride! 💙🐻
Imagine. Believe. Achieve. GO AKLAQS! 📣
#GoAklaqs #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #CrossCountry #AklaqAthletics #SpiritWeek
Last week, the Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Education Center (NACTEC) visited Teller, and our middle and high school students stayed busy exploring all kinds of hands-on learning opportunities! 🔨👩🍳🌊🪨🚙⚡
Our students got the chance to:
🔨 Build and construct
🧁 Bake and explore culinary careers
🌊 Explore underwater science and technology
🪨 Investigate geology and earth science
🚜 Operate and explore different vehicles
🔥 Practice welding
🍴 Earn Food Worker Cards
💼 Explore real career opportunities
One of the best parts was learning about careers that are real opportunities right here in Northwest Alaska and our surrounding communities. Hands-on experiences like these help our students see what is possible beyond the classroom and connect what they are learning to their futures.
A huge THANK YOU to NACTEC for coming all the way to Teller and giving our students the opportunity to learn, explore, build, and discover! We appreciate you spending time with our Aklaqs! 💙🐻
Imagine. Believe. Achieve. GO AKLAQS!
#NACTEC #BSSD #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #CareerEducation #HandsOnLearning #GoAklaqs
We are excited to welcome Norton Sound Health Corporation (NSHC) to Teller for a Career Fair on September 22nd!
👩🎓 During the afternoon: NSHC will be working directly with our students, helping them learn about the many different careers and opportunities available in healthcare and beyond.
👨👩👧👦 For adults: After school, NSHC will host a community career fair at James C. Isabell School from 3:00–5:00 PM.
This is a great opportunity for our students and community members to learn about career pathways, ask questions, and explore potential employment opportunities right here in Northwest Alaska.
Come check it out and see what opportunities are available!
Teller Pride. Aklaq Pride. Building Futures! 🐻💙
#NSHC #TellerAlaska #CareerEducation #JamesCIsabellSchool #TellerPride #AklaqPride #BSSDTeller #GoAklaqs
Our Aklaq Cross Country runners took on a very challenging course in White Mountain, competing against a strong field of talented runners. They ran hard, pushed themselves, and represented Teller with pride!
🏃 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS
🏃 Alex — 8th Place | 22:01
🏃 Wilhelm — 21st Place | 24:31
🏃 MIDDLE SCHOOL
🏃 McCade — 5th Place | 27:07
We are incredibly proud of Alex, Wilhelm, and McCade for their effort and determination! 💙🐻
But the results on the course aren't the only thing that makes us proud. Everywhere our Aklaqs go, they represent Teller and our community with kindness, friendliness, and politeness. We continue to receive wonderful comments about the way our students conduct themselves, and that is something worth celebrating!
Our athletes ran hard. Our Aklaqs represented Teller even harder. 💙
We’re excited to share more pictures from the meet soon! 📸🏃♂️
Imagine. Believe. Achieve. GO AKLAQS! 🐻💙📣
#GoAklaqs #TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #CrossCountry #AklaqAthletics
The action continues all weekend right here at James C. Isabell School! We are excited to have student-athletes competing in this high-level tournament alongside athletes from across the region and Alaska.
Come out, support our athletes, and enjoy some great basketball! 🏀🔥
🗓️ SATURDAY
Men’s Games
🏀 11:30 AM — Quarterfinal
🏀 1:00 PM — Bracket Game
🏀 4:00 PM — Bracket Game
🏀 7:00 PM — Bracket Game
🏀 8:30 PM — Semifinal
🏀 10:00 PM — Quarterfinal
Women’s Game
🏀 2:30 PM — Quarterfinal
🗓️ SUNDAY
Women’s Games
🏀 3:30 PM — Semifinal
🏀 6:30 PM — Final
Men’s Games
🏀 5:00 PM — Semifinal
🏀 8:00 PM — Final
📍 All games are located at James C. Isabell School.
A huge THANK YOU to our James C. Isabell School Journalism Class for capturing some awesome pictures and providing great reporting throughout the tournament! 📸📝
And a BIG thank you to Coach Fred Weyanna for putting together such a fun event for our student-athletes, the Teller community, and the larger Alaska basketball community. 💙
Come watch some basketball, support our athletes, and enjoy the weekend!
Teller Pride. Aklaq Pride. Let’s GO! 🐻💙🏀
#TellerPride #AklaqPride #JamesCIsabellSchool #BSSDTeller #TellerAlaska #WelcomeBackTournament #AklaqAthletics #GoAklaqs
💙🐻 THANK YOU, LUCY — A TRUE AKLAQ LEGEND 🐻💙
Today is a deeply bittersweet day as we honor a true legend of our community on her very last day at James C. Isabell School.
For more than 33 years, Lucy has been a steady heartbeat of our school. Throughout the many roles and positions she has held, she has been a remarkable leader who never settled for anything less than excellence.
Lucy held our students, parents and guardians, and staff to high standards because she always believed in what our school and our students could become. At the heart of everything she did was one simple truth: she always, unequivocally, wanted the absolute best for our kids.
💙 Our staff shared how warm and welcoming Lucy was when they first arrived in Teller and at James C. Isabell School. She has always been friendly, helpful, and willing to go the extra mile. Some of our staff are already saying they hope Lucy will come back to visit because of how much she meant to our school.
And there is one thing our staff can all agree on:
🏆 Lucy gets the “Best Secretary in the World” award! 🏆
Our students are going to miss seeing Lucy in the office, too. They know her as someone who was always willing to help them, listen to them, and go out of her way to make sure they were taken care of.
While we are selfishly sad to see her go, we are overwhelmingly grateful for the decades of dedication, care, leadership, and love she has given to James C. Isabell School and the Teller community.
Lucy, thank you for your leadership, your unwavering standards, your kindness, and the incredible legacy you leave behind. Your impact on generations of Aklaqs will not be forgotten and is difficult to explain in words.
We wish you the absolute best in this well-deserved next chapter! 💙
Pictures and photography done by Rowena's Journalism class: Matt Jr., Freya, and Vinnie O.
Once an Aklaq, always an Aklaq. 🐻💙
Thank you, Lucy!
We will miss you!
#TellerPride #AklaqPride #BSSDTeller #JamesCIsabellSchool #TellerAlaska #ThankYouLucy #AklaqFamily #OnceAnAklaqAlwaysAnAklaq
