It is indeed an honor and privilege to be part of Iditarod School District Teaching Force...Such an unforgettable experience for a Filipina Teacher like me because IASD gives me the opportunity to share my culture and to learn a new culture.
- Jollibe Pantilano, Innoko Teacher
I enjoy the familiar atmosphere of IASD; both the collegiality between the teachers all across the district & the close-knit classrooms in which we work each day. It is a privilege to live and serve in an area that is truly in the heart of Alaska.
- Lindsay Sturm, McGrath Teacher
Teaching at IASD is a wonderful opportunity. The sports, the fishing, the cross-country skiing, the hunting surpasses any experience anyone could imagine.
The class sizes are small, and I can really reach individual students and help them soar to their greatest potential.
- Danny Cheek, Takotna Principal-Teacher
Aside from the financial reward for teaching in rural Alaska. (Iditarod Area School District). The adventures and unique experiences of living and teaching in a very rural but beautiful place among Native Alaskan people as well as the students is a must-try.
- Fritizie Sillabe, Innoko Teacher
I love working in IASD because the people are wonderful and kind, and the country vast and rugged. I enjoy roping in unique educational opportunities from around the state and nation and helping students see the inherent connections between our cultures and academia.
- Matt Shelborne, McGrath Principal-Teacher
A child is educated on many levels by many people in many situations. I am only one teacher in their lives. I am grateful for IASD's continued support of the academic education of our students.
As a new employee in our district, you will likely face many new transitions, both personally and professionally, in the upcoming months. The purpose of this packet is to provide a practical guide to address some of the questions you may have. While this guide is by no means comprehensive, it is a start to make you feel more at ease. Over the years, a number of teachers have contributed to the content to help facilitate your move. Enjoy the read. See you soon!
- Helen Cheek, Superintendent of Iditarod Area School District
As a new employee in our district, you will likely face many new transitions, both personally and professionally, in the upcoming months. The purpose of this packet is to provide a practical guide to address some of the questions you may have. While this guide is by no means comprehensive, it is a start to make you feel more at ease. Over the years, a number of teachers have contributed to the content to help facilitate your move. Enjoy the read. See you soon!
- Helen Cheek, Superintendent of Iditarod Area School District
McGrath
McGrath is a city and village located at the confluence of the Kuskokwim and Takotna Rivers. Despite its small population, the village is an important transportation and economic hub for the area. McGrath offers world class hunting and site-seeing opportunities for visitors, and is an annual checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail. In 2020, the population was 300 individuals.
Nikolai
Top of the Kuskokwim School. Nikolai is located on the Eastern bank of the Kuskokwim River. Nikolai is a city in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. The population was 82 as of the 2020 census, down from 100 in 2000.
Innoko River School. Located on the east bank of the Innoko River, which empties into the Yukon straight across from Holy Cross. Shageluk is the last remaining occupied village on the Innoko River in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2020 Census the population was 74, down from 129 in 2000. In 2019, the population was 61.
Takotna Community School. Located in the valley of Tatalina Mountain on the Takotna River. Located 7 air miles from McGrath. Takotna IPA: in Upper Kuskokwim is a census-designated place in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. The population was 56 as of the 2020 Census, an increase of 4% from 50 at the 2000 Census. In 2019, the population was 72.
Eagle River
Eagle River, Alaska is located just outside of Anchorage and is the location of the office for the Iditarod's Distance Learning Center, which serves our homeschool community. Our homeschool has approximately 150 students and continues to grow.
Grayling
David Louis Memorial School. on the west bank of the Yukon River. Grayling is a city in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2020 census the population was 194, unchanged from 2000. Since 1977, the Athabaskan village has seen a surge of interest on odd-numbered years, when it is the site of a checkpoint during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Holy Cross
Jeffrey A. Bader Memorial School. On the west bank of the Yukon River. Holy Cross is a city in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 156, down from 227 in 2000.
Anvik
Blackwell School. On the west bank of the Yukon River. The Anvik tributary enters the Yukon River upstream from town. Anvik is a community of 105 people. Anvik is a city, home to the Deg Hit'an people, in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. The name Anvik, meaning "exit" in the Central Alaskan Yup'ik language, became the common usage despite multiple names at the time, and may have come from early Russian explorers.
McGrath
McGrath is a city and village located at the confluence of the Kuskokwim and Takotna Rivers. Despite its small population, the village is an important transportation and economic hub for the area. McGrath offers world class hunting and site-seeing opportunities for visitors, and is an annual checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail. In 2020, the population was 300 individuals.
Nikolai
Top of the Kuskokwim School. Nikolai is located on the Eastern bank of the Kuskokwim River. Nikolai is a city in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. The population was 82 as of the 2020 census, down from 100 in 2000.
Innoko River School. Located on the east bank of the Innoko River, which empties into the Yukon straight across from Holy Cross. Shageluk is the last remaining occupied village on the Innoko River in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2020 Census the population was 74, down from 129 in 2000. In 2019, the population was 61.
Takotna Community School. Located in the valley of Tatalina Mountain on the Takotna River. Located 7 air miles from McGrath. Takotna IPA: in Upper Kuskokwim is a census-designated place in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. The population was 56 as of the 2020 Census, an increase of 4% from 50 at the 2000 Census. In 2019, the population was 72.
Life in Iditarod area...
We had such a good time visiting the Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center! What a great resource for our CTE Students.
- Career & Technical Education
Thank you Tanana Chiefs Conference for donating backpacks for all the elementary students at Grayling and money to support our tutoring program!
- Partners In Education
Enjoying some beautiful weather in Grayling with our amazing students!
- Helen Cheek, Superintendent
There is always time to pause and snap a selfie with the locals! It is such a privilege to live in one of the most fascinating wild places in the world.
- Smile!
No snow, no problem! Summer training for some local sled dogs.
- Home of The Last Great Race
Did you know Alaska is home to approximately 200,000 moose?! This big guy stopped for a quick snack beside the river.
- Meet The Locals
Frozen trees, frozen powerlines, frozen cottage... welcome to winter in Iditarod Area!
