Anchorage Ambassadors – EDUCATION
The education sector remains a significant employer in Anchorage, with high demand for teaching positions, paraprofessionals, and other school support roles.
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Ward Blair
Occupation: Student Support Specialist for Indigenous Education, ASD
Industry: Public and Indigenous Education
Age: 39
Born and Raised: Dimond
Ethnicity: Aleut, Tsimshian, and Mojave
Current Profession: Indigenous Education, ASD
Currently Reside: Campbell
I choose Anchorage because: my family friends, and sports. I love playing all sports in Alaska, hockey and softball. Our beautiful summers, and wildlife on the bike trails are all my favorite parts of Anchorage.
Tim Davis
Occupation: Teacher & Coach at West Anchorage High School
Industry: Public Education
Age: 40
Born and Raised: South Anchorage
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Current Profession: Teacher & Coach at West Anchorage High School
Currently Reside: Sand Lake, Kinkaid but heart and soul of West Anchorage
I choose Anchorage because: because of my family, education, 5 minutes from Alaska, small town, and good communities.
Tanya Pont
Occupation: Executive Director of Advancement at University of Alaska, Anchorage
Industry: Philanthropic, Education
Born and Raised: Seoul, South Korea
Ethnicity: Korean-American
Current Profession: Executive Director for Advancement at the University of Alaska Anchorage
Currently Reside: Baxter
I choose Anchorage because: of the wonderful community of people and the abundance of opportunities for my family and I.
Natalie Gomez
Occupation: Small Business Owner and Lead Coordinator for the Scotty Gomez Foundation
Industry: Philanthropic Non-profit foundation and Public Education
Age: 36
Born and Raised: Anchorage, AK
Ethnicity: Mexican and Colombian
Currently Reside: Airport Heights
I choose Anchorage because: Anchorage is my home and the land of opportunity. I love the diversity our city has and all the different cultures what makes Anchorage special!
MJ Thim
Occupation: Chief of Communications, Publications, and External Affairs for the Anchorage School Disrict
Industry: Education
Age: 47
Born and Raised: Baltimore and D.C. Area
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Current Profession: Chief of External Affairs for the Anchorage School District
Currently Reside: Rogers Park
I choose Anchorage because: I believe in ASD's Academies of Anchorage Program.
Makayla Wilson
Occupation: School Based Clinician for Providence Alaska and the Anchorage School District
Industry: Mental Health Clinician and School Social Work
Age: 24
Born and Raised: Fairview in Anchorage
Ethnicity: Mexican & African American
Current Profession: Assembly Aide for Municipality of Anchorage, (Starting in August 2024: School-Based Clinician, Providence)
Currently Reside: East Anchorage
I choose Anchorage because: the city offers a multitude of activities and ways to get involved. I am so thankful I was raised in this city and can be engaged in the betterment of the community.
Lorena Blair
Occupation: Student Success Coach, Migrant Education
Industry: Indigenous and Public Education
Age: 39
Born and Raised: Anchorage, AK
Ethnicity: Caucasian, Aleut, Tsimshian, and Mojave
Current Profession: Student Success Coach
Currently Reside: Abbott Loop
I choose Anchorage because: this is where I was born and raised. My whole family is still here, and we are very close. I also love working for ASD and contributing to my community. It's great to be close to the outdoors. I love being involved with my culture, community, and sports teams in the Anchorage area.
Katrina Quinn
Occupation: Curriculum Principal at West Anchorage High School
Industry: Public Education
Age: 32
Born and Raised: Arizona
Ethnicity: Mexican
Current Profession: Curriculum Principal at WHS ASD
Currently Reside: Eagle River
I choose Anchorage because: initially for love, stayed because I fell in love with Anchorage.
Jaron Williams
Occupation: Anchorage YMCA Staff Leader
Industry: Health and Youth Services
Age: 24
Born and Raised: Mountain View
Ethnicity: African American
Current Profession: Anchorage YMCA Staff Leader
Currently Reside: East Anchorage
I choose Anchorage because: this is home. Anchorage has showed me so much love and I've met great people here, who I consider family.
Emily Edenshaw
Occupation: President/CEO Alaska Native Heritage Center
Industry: Government and Indigenous Studies
Age: 40
Born and Raised: Fairbanks, AK
Ethnicity: Yup'ik and Inupiaq
Current Profession: CEO/President of Alaska Native Heritage Center
Currently Reside: East Anchorage
I choose Anchorage because: I made the decision to move to Anchorage over 18 years ago after a traumatic event in my life. Today, I choose Anchorage for the opportunities it offers to make a positive impact on lives. I love this city with all my heart. I am incredibly proud to be an Alaska resident, but more importantly, I proud to work at the ANHC and reside in East Anchorage.
Dayana Gallo
Occupation: K1 General Education Teacher, ASD
Industry: Public Education
Age: 29
Born and Raised: Anchorage, Alaska and Jalostotitlan, Mexico
Ethnicity: Mexican, Hispanic
Current Profession: K1 General Education Teacher, ASD
Currently Reside: Dimond
I choose Anchorage because: there is no better place to live than here. Surrounded by beauty and nature. Alaska is unique because we live in our own little world away from the world. It's such a beautiful place.
Cynthia Romo
Occupation: Spanish Immersion Teacher at Government Hill Elementary, ASD
Industry: Public Education
Age: 29
Born and Raised: Anchorage, Alaska and Jalostotitlan, Mexico
Ethnicity: Mexican, Hispanic
Currently Reside: Southside
I choose Anchorage because: it’s the best place to live. Anchorage is diverse and unique. Everyone here is friendly. Anchorage is secluded but you have everything you need. Anchorage has everything in one place nature, city life, and diversity. We have so many cultures and languages. Anchorage has a lot to offer.
Calvin Chang
Occupation: Associate 49th State Angel Fund
Industry: Alaska's Entrepreneurship Fund
Age: 28
Born and Raised: Hong Kong
Ethnicity: Chinese
Current Profession: Associate, 49th State Angel Fund
Currently Reside: Jewel Lake Area
I choose Anchorage because: I want to support entrepreneurs and small businesses in the local community. Great place to explore nature. I want to try hiking, fishing, skiing, XC skiing, and maybe even sailing.
Cail Hubert
Occupation: Fab Lab Instructor
Industry: Educational Technology
Age: 36
Born and Raised: Born in Anchorage. Grew up in Eagle River and Emmonak.
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Currently Reside: Westside
I choose Anchorage because: it's central location with close access to all of the outdoor activities I like to do. Having the access to playing all the sports I want to play, and I dig the vibe of the people.
Beki Toussaint
Occupation: Education Program Director for a non-profit
Industry: Education
Age: 38
Born and Raised: Colorado
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Current Profession: Education Program Director for Non Profit
Currently Reside: Abbott Loop
I choose Anchorage because: people create "extended" families, which is great if you're far from family. Also, there is great access to outdoor activities.