2024 Alaska Afterschool Superheroes

Alaska's indominable afterschool and summer learning educators are our heroes without the capes! These superheroes go the distance to support, nurture, and grow the young people of their communities. These educators build and support relationships through kindness and passion, inspire learning, and uplift the young people and the community in which they serve.   

The Alaska Afterschool Network is thrilled to recognize six outstanding afterschool professionals who act as everyday superheroes in our youths’ lives during Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, April 24 - 28, 2023. These six Afterschool Superheroes inspired children and youth to reach for greatness. Join us in celebrating their incredible commitment and passion for our youth! 

Welcome to the team, Xaviera!

Welcome to the team, Xaviera!

My experiences working directly with youth have allowed me to see what challenges our youth face and what changes need to be made in our community so that we can best serve them and set them up for success. I believe that children and families of all backgrounds should be equipped with the tools and resources that will help them thrive and lead happy, healthy lives.

2023 10 week STEM Coaches

The Alaska Afterschool Network welcomes our newest cohort of AmeriCorps members.

Madelyn Mac: 21st CCLC Willow Crest Elementary

Kenzie Long: 21st CCLC Mountain View Elementary School

Quinlen Schachle: Boys & Girls Club- Goose Bay

Raeanne Susook: 21st CCLC Nenana

Athena Robbins: 21st CCLC Lake Otis Elementary

Orange Shirt Day and Afterschool

September 30 is National Day of Remembrance of Indigenous Boarding Schools, or Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day brings attention to the damage the residential school system did to Indigenous children, lifeways, and cultures. The Alaska Afterschool Network recognizes this day to acknowledge the lives lost and altered from residential schools in Alaska and beyond and the consequent repercussions on youth, families, and communities. These schools, which existed in Canada and across the continental United States and Alaska, forcibly separated Indigenous children from their parents, banned the use of Indigenous languages, and alienated children from their cultures. The Alaska Native Heritage Center has located over 100 residential schools in Alaska alone, and that number continues to grow. 

Summer Learning Week 2023: Mini Grants and Program Highlights!

National Summer Learning Week, July 10-14, 2023, is a celebration dedicated to elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe, and healthy every summer. Summer learning programs such as summer camps, culture camps, libraries, and teen centers provide caring adults and structured learning environments, ensuring students return to school ready to succeed during the year. Throughout Alaska, youth are participating in dynamic, meaningful, and empowering summer learning opportunities. To celebrate this week, we are highlighting a few out-of-school time programs and, for the first time, Summer Learning Week mini-grant recipients!

2023 Alaska Afterschool Superheroes

Alaska's indominable afterschool and summer learning educators are our heroes without the capes! These superheroes go the distance to support, nurture, and grow the young people of their communities. These educators build and support relationships through kindness and passion, inspire learning, and uplift the young people and the community in which they serve.   

The Alaska Afterschool Network is thrilled to recognize six outstanding afterschool professionals who act as everyday superheroes in our youths’ lives during Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, April 24 - 28, 2023. These six Afterschool Superheroes inspired children and youth to reach for greatness. Join us in celebrating their incredible commitment and passion for our youth! 

Celebrating AK AmeriCorps Members!

Service brings people together and bridges divides, and that's what AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and programs do each and every day. Service as an AmeriCorps provides opportunities address Alaska's areas for growth, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. We're in luck to have many AmeriCorps members serving at sites across Alaska. Today, (and throughout this week on social media) we're lucky enough to feature 5 of our Afterschool AmeriCorps members.