Anchorage Industries – Education
Teaching the Next Generation of Alaskans
Anchorage is the educational hub of Alaska, home to the largest school district in the state, serving nearly 43,000 K-12 students across more than 130 schools. Beyond K-12, Anchorage hosts the University of Alaska Anchorage, the state’s largest university, and Alaska Pacific University, the region’s top graduate program, alongside a wide array of vocational and technical education opportunities.
Anchorage offers a variety of career opportunities for educators, administrators, para-professionals, counselors, and support staff. The Anchorage School District is committed to attracting top talent, offering $5,000 hiring bonuses and up to $10,000 in relocation reimbursements.
Whether you’re passionate about teaching, administration, or providing support services, Anchorage gives you the chance to teach the next generation of Alaskans.
BY THE NUMBERS
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Average Benefits
For a teacher in Anchorage, which is one of the best in the nation.
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Days
Teaching in a classroom from August to May gives you the perfect schedule to enjoy two months of summer exploring Alaska!
Ambassadors
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: I choose Anchorage because of my family, friends, and love of sports. I enjoy playing all kinds of sports in Alaska, including hockey and softball. The beautiful summers and the abundant wildlife along the bike trails are some of my favorite aspects 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, Kincaid but heart and soul of West Anchorage
I choose Anchorage because: I choose Anchorage because of my family, education, being just 5 minutes from Alaska, the small-town feel, and the strong 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: I choose Anchorage because of the wonderful community of people and the abundance of opportunities for my family and me.
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: I choose Anchorage because it’s my home and a land of opportunity. I love the diversity of our city and the many cultures that make 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 choose Anchorage because I believe in ASD's Academies of Anchorage Program.
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: I choose Anchorage because it's where I was born and raised. My whole family is still here, and we’re very close. I also love working for ASD and contributing to my community. It’s great to be near the outdoors, and I enjoy being involved with my culture, community, and local 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: I choose Anchorage because I initially came for love but stayed because I fell in love with the city.
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: I choose Anchorage because this is home. Anchorage has shown me so much love, and I’ve met great people here whom I consider family.
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: I choose Anchorage because there is no better place to live. It’s surrounded by beauty and nature. Alaska is unique because we live in our own little world, away from the rest of 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: I choose Anchorage because it’s the best place to live. Anchorage is diverse and unique, with friendly people all around. While it’s secluded, you have everything you need here. The city offers a perfect mix of nature, city life, and diversity, with a rich blend of cultures and languages. Anchorage truly has a lot to offer.
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: I choose Anchorage because people create "extended" families, which is great if you're far from your own. Plus, there’s excellent access to outdoor activities.