SCHOOLS: New assistant principal takes charge at Wasilla High

WASILLA — Drawn to Alaska because of its brilliant mountains and promises of snow and opportunity, students from all over the world can be found within the halls of Wasilla High School. But the newcomers include not only students but staff as well.

It was just to be a three-week vacation, but once here new assistant principal Kelly Maki knew that it wasn’t a vacation anymore. It was a permanent relocation.

“Coach E (Ryan Engebretsen, Wasilla High’s boy’s basketball coach) was one of the first people we met on the plane to Wasilla and he was our first friend when we moved here,” Maki said. She added that Engebretsen was the friendliest guy ever and she knew then she should live here.

Maki and her husband moved their family, a 10-year-old daughter and a 22-year-old son in the Navy, to Wasilla in August of last year. After moving to Wasilla, Maki worked at Machetanz Elementary school as a special education teacher for one year. Now, Maki is obviously excited to connect with the secondary system and Warrior Nation.

Born in Tallahassee, Florida, but raised in Georgia, Maki always had a love for school.

“I loved school. So when I went to college I already knew I was going to be a teacher. I just needed to figure out what kind of teacher I wanted to be,” Maki said.

Maki originally went to school to become a social studies teacher, but the lack of openings for that job led her to get a special education position. For eight years, she worked with high school and elementary school students with learning, emotional and behavioral disabilities.

“The kids had lots of needs. And it felt good that I could help them in areas where they were having challenges,” Maki said.

Maki taught Advanced Placement classes for a couple years and completed research at the University of Florida on how young children develop literacy skills. This led her to a master’s degree in education and her Type B certificate as an administrator. The literacy research helped her work for two years as an instructional coach in Florida, helping teachers present curriculum to students in the best way possible.

She believes the totality of these experiences have helped her prepare for her best job yet as administrator of WHS.

As an assistant principal, her duties include disciplining students, conducting teacher evaluations and attending school events, such as football games.

“(Administrators) should be there so we can represent our school and make sure that things run smoothly,” Maki said. Maki also works as the Advanced Placement coordinator at WHS and is in charge of making sure tests fees are paid and keeps track of what tests students take and complete.

Compared to Florida, Maki believes that the Wasilla High students are more respectful than students from her previous school. Another difference is the size of the schools: working at a smaller school allows teachers to be able to connect with more students.

“Where I came from we had a large school with about 2,500 kids. Having a smaller sized school creates a bigger sense of community and you can get to know more of the students,” Maki said.

The Mat- Su community overall impresses Maki with its kindness and generosity. They have been pleased and surprised at how welcoming and open the community has been to show the family around and help them adjust.

“Here we've met so many people who have introduced us to the area and showed us things we could go do,” Maki said.

Hatcher Pass is their favorite run-away-to place, so is Reflections Lake. But, on any weekend or Monday night, Mrs. Maki can be found watching football.

“On a personal level I'm excited to get to be able to experience all the activities that Alaskans experience on a yearly basis,” Maki said.

Janee’ Wilson is a senior and Journalism III student at Wasilla High. She looks forward to pursuing a career in writing.