Chugiak woman named teacher of year

A Chugiak High School teacher was appointed Alaska's 2004 Teacher of the Year. Kathie Steele, an English and reading teacher, has 13 years of teaching experience. She began teaching in Alaska in 1995.

"Kathie exemplifies what is great about teachers in Alaska, and she is going to be an outstanding Teacher of the Year," said Roger Sampson, Alaska's commissioner of Education and Early Development.

Sampson announced Steele's appointment Nov. 9, at the annual conference of the Association of Alaska School Boards in Anchorage.

A Nov. 9 press release from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development says Steele earned her bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas in 1975. She earned her master's degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1997, where she has completed additional coursework as part of continuing education.

Steele has taught English and reading at Chugiak High School since 1998. Prior to that, she taught English and reading at Anchorage's West High School from 1996-1999, and seventh-grade developmental reading at Central School of Science in Anchorage in 1995.

According to the press release, Steele is an advocate for literacy statewide, as an eight-year member of both the Cook Inlet Literary Council and Alaska State Literary Association. She has also been a member of Phi Kappa Phi and the National Council of Teachers of English since 1995.

Steele's peers named her Chugiak High School Teacher of the Year in 2001. She was listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 1999 and 2002. And she was recognized as an outstanding teacher in 2002 by the Veteran's of Foreign War. BP nominated her for its Teacher of Excellence in 1998.

"[Steele] utilizes innovative approaches and treats students with respect in order to engage our children in her classes. Her outstanding reputation among her students, peers and the community shows she has the ability to represent the entire Alaskan education community at a national level," said Sampson.

A statewide selection committee appointed by Commissioner Sampson recommended Steele from a field of five finalists. Her term begins Jan. 1, 2004. Sampson will enter Steele as the Alaska candidate for the 2004 National Teacher of the Year competition in Washington, D. C.