Belkofski, Aleutian Peninsula, Alaska.
On the Edge of the World
No roads, no landing strip, no harbor - 600 miles (and days of travel) southwest of Anchorage sitting on the bluff overlooking Belkofski Bay - talk about isolation! And yet, in an earlier day, a thriving fur trade center.
By the time of this picture (October 1980), only a few villagers remained. Waves of emotion wash over me still (1997) in viewing this picture of our home for two years. It was the third school that I taught at (1969/71) but at that time it way MY school - over time I learned to be mechanic, janitor, teacher, principal and so many more roles while in that position. This was one of about 38 one-teacher schools administered by the State Operated School District during that period.
The teacherage was in the school, so each day, my "drive to work" was about 50 feet down the hall - talk about blurring the lines between work and family. . .
Fourteen to eighteen students attended here over those two years. During one fall season - 18 rabid foxes were killed in the village, the MV Teressa Lee crab catcher/processor ran aground and was salvaged by the village men, our third child was delivered in the teacherage, the 1970 U.S. Census was taken and I signed a death certificate.
During this time period in Alaska history, the village teacher wore many 'hats'. Most of them were unofficial or assumed but were no less real. I intend to tell some of those stories here over the next few months.
Teaching has always been an adventure for me.
China Pictures | Texas Pictures | Cozumel Pictures | Playa Pictures | Argentina Pictures
Teaching Assignments | E.S.L. Confrence Presentations | TESOL Affiliates | E.S.L. Links
Elder Care Resources | Publications | Web Publications
Added to the WWW 05-31-97
Updated 05-31-97-97
William Eubank
Return to the home page in Independence, Missouri
