Hello from Fairbanks, Alaska!
Prior to getting into the details of my journey up here to the Great White North, I thought I'd give a little more introduction into who I am and what I am doing in Fairbanks (and what I will do in Antarctica this fall.)
I teach in a small middle school in Langley, Washington. Langley is located on the South end of Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound, about 1.5 hours North of Seattle. Whidbey Island is a long island that has 4 main towns- Clinton, Langley, Coupeville, and Oak Harbor. Oak Harbor is probably the most well known of our towns, as it is home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. On the other hand, Langley is a quiet town with a strong community of artists and is surrounded by many family-owned organic farms. Langley Middle School has about 400 students in grades 6-8. I teach 6th and 7th grade general science.
Teaching is not my first career, or my second, or third... in fact I don't know how many careers I have dabbled in so far. I was a coffee barista, a gourmet caterer, I worked at the Seattle Aquarium for a brief moment in time, a commercial crabber, salmon fisherman, cannery worker, fisheries biologist, um, I know there are more, but they are escaping my head right now. Regardless, I really believe that all the jobs and the opportunities and places they took me to have really flavored my teaching style. I love sharing my experiences with my students and I encourage them to do the same. Science becomes even more alive when there are stories and personal experiences involved. It is my hope that this trip to Fairbanks, and more importantly my expedition to Antarctica brings polar research and polar culture alive for you, too!
So, in a nutshell, here in Fairbanks I am going through training for my expedition. I am learning about the expectations PolarTREC has for me, stumbling my way through learning new technology (like web journaling), and creating really strong connections with the other teachers who are joining PolarTREC expeditions during the 2008-09 Polar research seasons.
I really encourage all of you to check the PolarTREC site often and to follow a teacher's expedition (of course, I am partial to you following along with me!) Also, please get involved! Send me questions, ask for clarification, and give me advice. Imagine you are here with me...