Teachers at Haines and Klukwan Schools are gearing up for bustling classrooms as the new school year nears. Haines School hired two new teachers and two administrators for the 2018-2019 school year, and Klukwan School is adding one new teacher.

New Haines School superintendent Roy Getchell, who started on June 20, said one of his most important tasks as the school year starts is getting to know school staff and the community. Getchell also said he’s been focusing on learning the district’s procedures and policies.

He said he wants the community to recognize that although he’s a superintendent, he will “eat his own cooking” as a parent of two daughters, one in eighth grade and another, a junior in high school.

“It’s a privilege to work in a school district recognized as one of the best in the state,” Getchell said. He said with stable leadership and a consistent mission and vision, “I really think the sky is the limit.”

Former second-grade teacher Kim Sundberg is the district’s new dean of students. Sundberg taught second grade at Haines School for four years and was a substitute teacher in the district for 13 years.

“I have a new title, but I’m still a part of the team that I know is a great team,” Sundberg said. “I’m going to continue to work with kids and families in the community.”

Basic duties of the dean of students include federal and state grant writing, working with students “who need additional social and emotional support outside the classroom,” Sundberg said, and creating unique professional development opportunities.

Sundberg said she wants the community to know, “My door is always open, and I hope families can find me approachable. I’m a great listener and can come up with positive solutions to problems.”

Roy Getchell’s wife, Tracy Getchell, will take over teaching second grade. This school year will be her 20th year teaching, Tracy Getchell said. She has nine years of teaching experience in Colorado, four years in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates and seven years as a stay-at-home mom.

Tracy Getchell said her goal is to become a meaningful part of the staff and community. When asked what she was most looking forward to this school year she said, “I’m really looking forward to seeing the light bulbs come on for the kids as they learn new things.”

Fran Daly, who taught elementary grades at Klukwan School, will teach fourth grade at Haines School. Daly, a Haines School alum, graduated from University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2015 and has worked in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and the Chatham School District teaching preschool and grades K-6. Daly said she’s looking forward to meeting her new students.

“Reading is one of my passions, and I can’t wait to share some of my favorite books with the class. Fourth-grade social studies focuses on Alaska history, and as a lifelong Alaskan, I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences with the classroom along with learning new facts about Alaska with my students,” Daly said. “I am also excited about helping support extracurricular activities. I enjoy being active indoors and out and hope to share that love with students.”

At Klukwan School, Jennifer Marschke was hired as a teacher and special education instructor. Marschke has lived in Haines for about eight years, five of which have been year-round. She has master’s degrees in special education and experiential education, and 10 years of experience working with high-risk youth in outdoor education. Marschke said she was a paraprofessional for the Haines School District for two years, taught in a traditional classroom setting in Hawaii and was most recently an independent living advocate for Southeast Alaska Independent Living.

“I’m so excited to have a job in Klukwan and build a foundation here,” Marschke said. “I love SAIL, but I can’t wait to be with kids again.” Marschke said she would like to do more experiential education with the Klukwan students, and she’s excited to learn the balance between special education and traditional teaching at a village school.

The first day of classes at Haines School is Tuesday, Aug. 21; the first day at Klukwan School is Monday, Aug. 27.