Update from Scammon

At the rocks that over look Scammon Bay

I have been trying to get out hiking as much as possible, especially on beautiful sunny days (which we have had a few this past week). Climbed up to the rocks on the hill a few times with some students and teachers, it’s a great view of the whole village, tundra, hills, and ocean.  I also made it up to the larger hill where there is a cross placed at the top.  This cross was put here by the Russians years ago before Alaska was a state or even territory. 

Third grade is wonderful!  I’m getting into my schedule and I think the kids are too. I lost my voice for about 3 days this past week, which made teaching quite interesting.  I told them we would be learning sign language!  I’m so thankful for my classroom helper that was there to literally translate at times when my voice was nonexistent.  Also, this past week I met my mentor teacher.  Every first year teacher to the district as well as the profession gets placed with a mentor who works with our state.  They fly in once a month and check up on us throughout the other weeks.  I met Kathy this past week who is wonderful.  It’s nice to have added support from someone who understands teaching in the bush,    but isn’t a co-worker.  I’m looking forward to learning from her this coming year.

Today I spent the day out manaq-ing (fishing) with some friends.  We went up river where you could not see the village.  Beautiful doesn’t even describe it! I’m loving the fall colors. To manaq you tie a piece of string with a weight and hook to a stick.  Then you put the stick in the mud and throw out the line with some bird gizzards as bate.  Then you wait. We fished for tomcods, all together caught well over 50. I also learned how to gut a fish with my bare hands! They are slimy little things!   

gutting my first fish

my first tomcod