I decided to make this a comment instead of a post; it's water under the bridge now... Thanks for the supportve remarks. I'll post again here if I get a positive response from the Senator.

"YOUR TEACHERS SHOULD BE FIRED."
There is something else I wanted to mention about what happened in Juneau, but in some ways I feel it's hardly worthy of mention because it is such a minor negative compared to how great everything else about the week was. On the last day, our group, along with the only other group of Native Alaskan youth (and their teacher) who were part of this Close-Up session, were invited for a visit with Senator Kookesh. One of the first questions he asked the kids was if they had heard of the AFN (Alaskan Federation of Natives). The kids were shy and probably somewhat intimidated, and they didn't answer correctly- as one might suspect would be a natural action for middle schoolers speaking to someone in such a great position of power for the first time. Senator Kookesh appeared distraught and proceeded to tell our kids that if they hadn't heard of the Alaskan Federation of Natives that their teachers should be fired. In fact, our students have heard of the AFN. Eventually, I asked Senator Kookesh what steps he might suggest I make as a teacher to get my students more involved in the AFN. He said that there is an annual meeting many high school students attend that we should learn more about. The other teacher from our group who was present politely informed Senator Kookesh that earlier in the year she sought information from our local traditional council about how our middle school students might participate in the AFN meeting. She explained to Senator Kookesh that our traditional council doesn't offer opportunities for middle school students to attend the AFN meetings until they are in high school. After hearing this, Senator Kookesh said that he has seen a few middle school age students at the event before, and that it must be a possibility. He didn't acknowledge that perhaps he had made a mistake in telling our students that we should be fired.

Edited By Siteowner
David | Email | Homepage | 02.06.05 - 7:11 pm | #

I think a politely worded request for an apology is definitely in order. It sounds like the Senator made an accusation before he had all the facts; and the type of critical inquiry into facts that you as a teacher are responsible for communicating to your students is a skill that the Senator seems to have missed. Perhaps your expertise as a teacher can be used to remind him of his commitment to logic and truth that we should require of all our legislators.
zhaf | Email | Homepage | 02.09.05 - 6:38 am | #

Yeah, I wrote a letter. It was more asking the question why than requesting an apology.
David | Email | Homepage | 02.09.05 - 6:57 am | #

Good for you. Sometimes, i think that people get into some of these seats of power and they tend to forget that they can be fallable. Maybe they don't forget, but no one ever stands up to them, so they get out of the habit of keeping their tongue's reigned in.

I sincerely hope that he humbles himself enough to send an apology. please keep us posted. I hope your students know that you sent the letter, kids need to know that it's ok to stand up for yourself and that there proper way to do it.

Good for you.
Shawna | Email | Homepage | 02.09.05 - 11:27 am | #

He did more than insult you and your fellow teacher. He hurt the kids.
How thoughtless and pompous.

I totally enjoy your blog. I would otherwise have no idea of what it was like on the other side of the continent. The internet rules!
Andie | Email | Homepage | 02.09.05 - 7:10 pm | #

Absolutely agree with the previous posters - good for you. I hope you get the apology you deserve.
Ally | Email | Homepage | 02.10.05 - 9:24 am | #

I'm really enjoying your blog. Have you read any Dana Stabenow? Very good Alaskan mysteries.

Glad I found you and your amazing experience into the Alaskan tundra!
KatS | Email | Homepage | 02.11.05 - 7:12 am | #

I'm sorry, David. But you are absolutely right about the apology.
Adele | Email | Homepage | 02.15.05 - 5:00 am | #

Ugh, what an awful thing to say. I hope you get a response from him.

(Bummer about the Iggles, isn't it? The city has calmed down a little, although I think they are still talking about it on WIP.)
Elise | Email | Homepage | 02.15.05 - 7:11 pm | #