Alaska EdVenture: Lessons from the K-12 Frontier with Dr. Meinert

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert sits down with retiring Coach David DeVaughn, Alaska’s winningest high school football coach, and longtime Activities Coordinator Wayne Sawchuk to reflect on careers dedicated to students, leadership, and community. Together, they discuss the moments, relationships, and lessons that defined decades of service and helped shape the lives of countless stude...

In this episode, we sit down with the leadership team from North Pole Middle School to discuss the importance of student experience, positive school culture, and the relationships that help students succeed. Thank you to our guests for joining the conversation: Joseph Self, Principal Jacob Glenn, Assistant Principal Chip Abolafia, Assistant Principal The conversation explores how schools create en...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert is joined by Colonel John Campbell, U.S. Army Garrison Alaska, Fort Wainwright; Colonel Timothy Foster, 354th Mission Support Group Commander, Eielson Air Force Base; and Janet Farris, Fort Wainwright School Liaison Officer, to highlight the experiences and needs of military-connected students and families in our schools. The conversation begins by explo...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert sits down with Lisa Laqua, Project SEARCH Instructor, and Jessie Beyer, Talent Development Specialist at Foundation Health Partners, to discuss how this unique program is helping students with disabilities transition from school to the workplace. Together, they share how the program operates, combining real-world job experience with training in employabi...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert is joined by Board President Bobby Burgess and Board Clerk/Board Budget Committee Chair Morgan Dulian to walk through the district’s FY27 Recommended Budget and what it means for students, staff, and families. The conversation highlights key updates, including a shift toward reinvestment after several years of reductions, and how those decisions are bein...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert sits down with Luke Balash, Lathrop High Head Football Coach and Health/PE Teacher, along with juniors Gabriel Guffey and Joseph Lavatai, to talk about how their team makes an impact both on and off the field. They share how a recent community service project came together, why serving others is part of the program’s identity, and what the experience mea...

In this special episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert sits down with Heather Johnson, Alaska Principal of the Year and Principal of Tanana Middle School and Pete Daley, Alaska Teacher of the Year and Welding Instructor at Hutchison High School, to celebrate excellence in education and the impact strong leadership has on student success. The conversation reflects on the journeys that led to this reco...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert is joined by Representative Maxine Dibert and the district’s Nutrition Services Director, Amy Rouse, for a closer look at why school meals are essential to student success. The conversation highlights the work that goes into providing healthy, reliable meals each day, the staff and resources required to support the program, and the important role nutriti...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert joins Board President Bobby Burgess and Board Clerk and Chair of Legislative Committee Morgan Dulian to outline the district’s legislative priorities and the investments needed to support student success. The conversation focuses on strengthening student achievement through targeted funding for early literacy and special education, recruiting and retaini...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert sits down with Jenna Dreydoppel, Choir and Theater Tech teacher at North Pole High School, and Gwendolyn Brazier, Drama Advisor and Choir Director at West Valley and Lathrop High Schools, to explore how music and theater programs collaborate to create meaningful arts experiences for students. The conversation highlights the value of arts education, the c...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert sits down with Annika Merkel and Anna Westfall, two West Valley High students and co-presidents of the student-led Climate Defense League, to explore how young people are driving climate action in their community. The conversation highlights the club’s mission to raise awareness of global and local environmental issues, empower students to take meaningfu...

Recorded inside the North Pole High auto shop, this episode features Superintendent Dr. Meinert in conversation with Andrea Wade, Career & Technical Education (CTE) Director; Travis Cortez, North Pole High (NPH) Automotive Technology Instructor; and Jeremy Plowman, a sophomore at North Pole High. Together, they explore the wide range of CTE opportunities available to students across the distri...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert talks with school district and Borough staff about the capital improvement projects shaping the future of Fairbanks schools. Together, they discuss how these projects are prioritized, funded, and managed through collaboration between the district and the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Thank you to our guests:• David Bredlie, Director of Public Works, Fair...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert connects with 21st CCLC Afterschool Programs (ASP) staff Lindsy Weaver, Director, and Jennifer Wienke, Program Development Coordinator, to explore how this program enriches after school learning throughout the district. Learn about the unique hands-on experiences students are receiving—from STEM and arts to cultural learning and academic support. The con...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert sits down with Kara Candelaria, Fairbanks BEST Homeschool Head Teacher, to highlight the unique opportunities available to families who choose local homeschooling. Together, they explore the benefits of the BEST program, the hands-on guidance families receive from dedicated education specialists, and how resources like the allotment empower personalized...

As we begin a new school year, Superintendent Dr. Meinert and School Board President Melissa Burnett sit down to reflect on the milestones and challenges of the past year, from strengthening family engagement to advancing literacy and growth for all. They share stories of how the school board, teachers, and staff made a lasting difference for students and families, and recognize the dedication of...

In this episode of  Alaska EdVenture , Dr. Meinert talks with local business leaders Les Nichols from Fairbanks Nissan and Sundog Community Fitness, and Kim Shriner, PA, from Borealis Med Spa, about their businesses, backgrounds, and their strong commitment to the Fairbanks community. Les and Kim share what motivates them to give back and why they believe it’s essential for local businesses to sup...

In this episode of Alaska EdVenture, Superintendent Dr. Meinert sits down with Colonel Edward Borneo, Cadet/Chief Master Sergeant Sam Bull, and Cadet/Colonel Jordan Nichols to get an inside look at the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) at North Pole High School. The group shares their unique backgrounds, roles, and what brought them into the program. They break down what JROTC is...

In this episode, Dr. Meinert is joined by Rebecca Hurbi and Joshua DuVall to explore the crucial role of communication within the school district. They share their experiences, highlight the importance of clear communication, and discuss what makes working for a school district unique. The conversation also delves into the challenges of district-wide communication, how the district handles crises...

On this episode of Alaska EdVenture, Melissa, Brianna, and Kelly join Superintendent Dr. Meinert to highlight Alaska Native student support and culture in our schools and community. They explore the challenges and successes of Alaska Native students, the district's support resources, and the services offered by the Alaska Native Education (ANE) program. They also cover the critical partnership...

Willie Blackburn, counselor at West Valley High, and Heather Damario, history teacher at West Valley, join Dr. Meinert to recognize and celebrate Black History Month in our schools and community. In this episode, they discuss school initiatives, clear up common misconceptions about Black history, and provide advice for teachers on how to find resources and start their own celebrations. They also r...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert explores the impact of Career and Technical Education (CTE) sectors at Hutchison High School with Principal Dershin, Arts & AV Teacher Ben Johnson, and Senior Lily Reece. They discuss Hutchison’s diverse CTE programs, which align with local industry needs and provide students with valuable certifications and career opportunities. The conversation lea...

In this episode of the Alaska EdVenture Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Meinert, dives into the world of high school music programs. Joined by choral director/teacher Gwendolyn Brazier and a group of talented student musicians, Becca, Daniel, and Lacey, the discussion highlights the inspiring journeys that music fosters. Students: Becca Freeman, senior - North Pole All State Orchestra and Choir Daniel...

In this episode, Melissa Burnett, board president, and Meredith Maple, board vice president, join Superintendent Dr. Meinert to discuss the board's legislative priorities. This episode explores the critical challenges of education funding in Alaska, and the school board's legislative priorities, including increasing the Base Student Allocation (BSA), supporting the Alaska Reads Act, and en...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Meinert sits down with Kendall Townsend, a former Ben Eielson High student and now a senior at North Pole High, Liam Wade, a North Pole High senior, and Kieran Kauffman, the band and orchestra teacher who made the move from Ben Eielson High to North Pole High. Together, they dive into the emotional journey of hearing the news about Ben Eielson High’s closure, th...