To launch our inaugural “ECS on the Move” series, we traveled to Alaska, “The Last Frontier,” to learn from communities leading the way in culturally grounded education and student belonging. It was abundantly clear during our visit that when states, schools and communities work together, students feel more connected, valued and reflected in their learning environments.
Alaska’s approach closely aligns with Gov. Gordon’s CHANGE Initiative, which empowers communities to drive educational change rooted in their unique cultures, values, and priorities. At the heart of the CHANGE Initiative is the belief that communities, with the support of states, are best positioned to shape practical solutions that reflect local needs while creating meaningful and measurable outcomes for students.
Alaska’s Tlingit Culture, Language, and Literacy (TCLL) program in Juneau is an exceptional example of the vision behind the CHANGE Initiative and the power of cross-sector collaboration. Our team had a chance to visit Harborview Elementary School, where the program is housed and operated in partnership with the Sealaska Heritage Institute. TCLL demonstrates what place-based education can look like in practice.
Founded in 1980, Sealaska Heritage Institute is a tribal organization dedicated to enhancing Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures throughout Southeast Alaska. Sealaska Heritage Institute continues to play a vital role in preserving and strengthening Alaska Native cultures for future generations.
The TCLL program serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and integrates Tlingit language and culture into daily instruction alongside state academic standards. This program creates a learning environment where culture, identity and academic achievement are deeply interconnected.
During our visit, staff at Harborview Elementary School shared how vital elders are in preserving language, honoring relationships and instilling cultural teachings. Listening to these reflections reinforced the importance of intergenerational learning and the powerful role elders play both within the school and throughout the broader community.
We also had the opportunity to visit classrooms where biliteracy instruction and culturally grounded teaching practices were actively taking place. In one classroom, students and teachers participated together in song, creating a learning environment filled with joy, engagement and cultural pride.
Another takeaway we had from the TCLL program was its strong commitment to family and community engagement. Staff members at Harborview Elementary School emphasized the importance of building relationships not only within the classroom but also with families at home and throughout the broader community. This approach helps students develop a strong foundation rooted in Tlingit values, identity and belonging both inside and outside of school.
From Juneau, our team headed to Anchorage to visit the Alaska Native Cultural Charter School. Founded in 2007 by members of the Anchorage community, the school offers a rigorous academic program centered around Alaska Native values and traditions while supporting students’ academic achievement and growth. We had the opportunity to participate in the Yuuyaraq gathering, which begins each day at the school providing students and staff an opportunity for shared connection grounded in cultural teachings. Equally impressive were the partnerships supporting the school’s work. Collaborations with organizations such as the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Southcentral Foundation Fireweed Behavioral Health and Stantec demonstrate the power of community partnerships in supporting student success.
As we continue supporting and highlighting states, our time in Alaska served as an important reminder that meaningful education change happens when communities, culture and relationships remain at the center of the work. Alaska’s commitment to honoring Native culture, uplifting student identity, and building strong partnerships should offer a valuable lesson for education leaders across the country!
