Nome Public School District says farewell to three beloved teachers
Nome honors three longstanding Nome Public School District teachers who retired with the end of this school year. Sandi Keller, Colleen Johnson and Nancy Bahnke have taught the children of Nome for several years each, and finished their last school year on Wednesday, May 17. The teachers shared their thoughts on their careers and what lies ahead for them in the future. Sandi Keller, Nome Elementary School’s cultural studies teacher, has worked at the Nome school district for 17 years and in the Bering Strait School District for four years. Upon her retirement, she shared some highlights of her career. “What I liked most about my 21 years of teaching is first grade,” she said. “At this age students are eager to learn and they’re super cute, too. I loved watching them grow as readers and writers. I must have taught over 200 kids to read. It’s exciting to see that growth and share the love of reading. I enjoyed finding creative ways to keep them engaged in learning, always coming up with interesting ways to keep them focused and learning. One way I’ve learned to do that was to keep things relevant to their lives. I focused on making their school experience fun and memorable. We did class plays, published a book called Kids, Kids Who Do You See? and made a first-grade time capsule to be opened right before high school graduation. I had my first time capsules opened four years ago and some of my students are getting ready to open one now. Writing a letter to their older self, pen pal letters, journal writing, publishing a book, personal narratives and opinion writing were highlighted during our writer’s celebration at the end of the school year. I’ve enjoyed teaching Cultural Studies these past four years, learning the Inupiaq language with my students and doing fun beading and sewing projects. I’m proud of my heritage and was honored to share it with all of the elementary school students these past few years,” As far as what her future holds, Keller said. “I’m ready to do something else now. I’m not exactly sure what that is at the moment, but as long as I’m able to snowbird in warmer temperatures and come home for subsistence activities during the spring and summer, I’ll be happy.” Keller hopes her legacy at NES will be one of kindness. “All I ever wanted is for my students to feel loved and to be kind to others. I hope I showed that well so they can carry that the rest of their live,” she said. “I want all my students to know that I’m proud of you and always do your best at whatever you do,” Keller said. ACSA retiree Anvil City Science Academy teacher Colleen Johnson has been teaching in Nome since 1999 when she started her career as a long-term substitute teacher. She taught at NES for ten and a half years and ACSA for 13 years. She alternated between the two, teaching five and a half years at NES, five years at ACSA, then five years again at NES, and finally eight years at ACSA. During her time between the schools, Johnson taught fifth grade math, social studies and an elective. Johnson described her time as a teacher in Nome as “rewarding.” The highlights of her career included ice fishing with 80 students, the trip to DC, “Mystery Skype and all the tech progress since ’92,” and “working with great kids and colleagues.” As far as the future goes, Johnson said that she is staying in Nome for now. She will be looking for a job with more flexible hours and “cheering on the Nanooks.” As she leaves her years as a teacher behind, Johnson said “I hope to see Nomegrown teachers coming back to teach at our schools.” Elementary School Teacher Nancy Bahnke was not available to share her story. She and Keller currently are teaching in Nome’s Summer School program. On May 13, Keller, Johnson, and Bahnke, as well as Mark Smith, NES’ long standing night custodian who also retired this year, were honored with a retirement party at the Mini Convention Center, featuring speeches, cakes and a photo booth.