NEA-Alaska

As we wind down another school year and prepare for a long Memorial Day Weekend, NEA-Alaska President Laura Capelle would like to share a few words of gratitude:

“Congratulations on your completion of another school year! 🎉

As you finalize grades, ready for summer school, or plan for work & play outside of public education, please take time to recognize the amazing work you have done to grow student learning, enrich our communities, and better public education in Alaska. Our communities are full of joyful celebrations as young adults don their graduation gowns to collect their diplomas, completing a public school education that each and every one of you has helped to make possible.

Every school year has its fair share of struggles and triumphs. I hope for you, the triumphs and joys of public education are what carries you through the last days of Spring and into a glorious Alaska summer.”

UAF College of Indigenous Studies' Drumbeats Blog shared a wonderful piece last week about our very own Dillingham Classified Association President Charlene Evalt. It discusses the challenges she's faced as a first generation college student, as well as some surprising ways her journey through higher education has circled right back to her upbringing in Bristol Bay.

Read more at Drumbeats Blog here: https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/drumbeatsblog/reclaiming-the-narrative

‼️ An opportunity for quick action has presented itself: a veto override vote on HB 78 is currently scheduled for 1 PM today. ‼️

We need your help to hold legislators accountable and give them one last chance to do the right thing to restore a defined-benefit retirement for Alaska’s public servants.

Please take just a moment to use this form to send a message to lawmakers urging them to stand up for educators by voting YES to override Governor Dunleavy’s veto.

Take action NOW.

Send a letter to the House: https://act.aflcio.org/letters/override-hb-78-veto-house?source=NEA

Send a letter to the Senate: https://act.aflcio.org/letters/override-hb-78-veto?source=NEA

NEA-Alaska is deeply saddened and profoundly disappointed by Governor Dunleavy’s veto of HB 78, cross-partisan legislation that would have restored a pension option for Alaska’s public employees.

This bill represented two decades of advocacy, organizing, and sacrifice by educators and public servants across Alaska who have fought for the simple promise of being able to retire with dignity after dedicating their lives to serving our communities.

It is especially disappointing that Governor Dunleavy, himself a beneficiary of the TRS I pension system, chose to deny that same opportunity to an entire generation of educators and public servants.

But we are not giving up.

We are incredibly grateful for the tireless work of our members and allies who poured their hearts into this fight over many years. Their advocacy brought this issue further than ever before and galvanized Alaska’s labor movement in ways that will endure far beyond this moment.

We also thank the 21 Representatives and 12 Senators who stood with Alaska’s workers and voted to support HB 78, and we will remember them when it's time to vote again in November.

Now, we regroup and continue forward. This legislature is not done yet. There are important policy decisions for public education still being considered today.

And as we look ahead to August, we need to focus on electing a Governor who will sign this legislation and support educators, students, and families.

There is still work to do. And we are here to do it.

Gov. Dunleavy vetoes public pension bill The late-night veto came after negotiations between lawmakers and Dunleavy over the Alaska LNG megaproject faltered.

NEA-Alaska is hiring an Associate Staff in Anchorage! Are you (or someone you might know?) interested in joining a friendly, hard-working team supporting public educators?

Primary duties would include but not be limited to: greeting in-person visitors, answering calls, satisfying information requests, database management, record keeping, developing and producing materials, supporting field staff, and assisting local leadership.

Learn more and apply today:

Open Position: Associate Staff - Anchorage Office | NEA-Alaska Learn more and apply today!

The Alaska Legislature has passed SB 41, a bill directing the state to develop mental health education guidelines for K-12 schools in partnership with health experts, tribal organizations, and community leaders.

The goal: treat mental health with the same importance as physical health and give students the tools, support, and understanding they need to navigate challenges before a crisis happens.

The bill comes as Alaska continues to face some of the highest youth su***de rates in the nation, with students, educators, and communities across the state calling for more support and resources.

SB 41 now heads to Governor Mike Dunleavy’s desk for consideration.

Alaska Legislature approves plan for mental health education in schools | Alaska Beacon The Alaska Legislature passed a bill requiring the state to develop guidelines for mental health instruction in Alaska school districts.

As we wait patiently for the final outcome of HB78, retirement is naturally at the forefront of many of our minds.

But while we may have our own unique retirement struggles here in Alaska, the rest of the country is not without its worries around retirement security, either.

That’s why National Institute on Retirement Security has launched a new podcast: Retirement in America: Conversations on the Future of Retirement Security.

Hosted by NIRS Executive Director Dan Doonan, the series features leading experts, policymakers, advocates, and journalists discussing the biggest retirement challenges facing American workers and retirees today.

The debut episode features AARP’s Debra Whitman on the future of retirement, financial security, Social Security, pensions, and why millions of Americans are struggling to prepare for retirement.
We hope you’ll listen, subscribe, and share the podcast to help expand the conversation around retirement security in America.

Watch the premiere episode: https://youtu.be/TWIGVyxl2O8?si=PZawgCi7voO2Pdca

Every school has an Education Support Professional who goes the extra mile. The one who shows up early, stays late, and keeps everything running behind the scenes.

Do you know an ESP who continually goes above and beyond for their school, students, and community? Now’s the time to recognize them!

Nominate them for the 2026–27 NEA-Alaska Education Support Professional of the Year award.

ESP of the Year Award | NEA-Alaska The NEA-Alaska ESP of the Year is awarded to a non-certificated member of NEA-Alaska on an annual basis. This award is designed to recognize the outstanding contributions that individual members make to their schools, communities, and local associations.

Big congratulations to Dr. Jamin Burton of Colony High School on being named Alaska’s 2027 Teacher of the Year!

For more than 20 years, Dr. Burton has inspired students through music, leadership, creativity, and service. From nationally recognized music programs to unforgettable performance experiences across the country and around the world, his impact on Alaska students is extraordinary.

We’re especially proud that Dr. Burton is also an active member of the NEA-Alaska Board of Directors, where he continues to advocate for students, educators, and strong public schools across our state.

While the title officially takes effect during the 2026–2027 school year, today’s announcement recognizes the incredible work he is already doing every single day for Alaska’s students!

It's Black Teacher Appreciation Day! 🎉

Today, we celebrate under the theme "Black Resistance and Joy: Celebrating Black Educators and Teaching as a Practice of Freedom" — and we invite you to honor the Black teachers in your life.

Use this post as a chance to go into the comments and tag a Black teacher who made a difference in your life.

Only 7% of U.S. teachers identify as Black, while Black students make up over 15% of the K-12 population.

Research shows that the presence of Black teachers in schools contributes to more inclusive and supportive learning environments. Black students who have had Black teachers are 38% more likely to report feeling that they belong at school.

As we mark the 100th anniversary of Black History Month and honor the legacy of Carter G. Woodson, let's recommit to building the Black teacher pipeline because representation in the classroom is an act of freedom.

All the details:
https://thecenterblacked.org/we-need-black-teachers/black-teacher-appreciation-day/