From Alaska to the World: Insights from a Rural Educator

  📍 TL;DR Public education—especially in rural America—is under attack. Not from parents. Not from teachers. But from a small, powerful group of billionaire-funded organizations trying to dismantle public schools and replace them with private, religious, or online alternatives. This post breaks down: ✅ What’s happening 🕵️ Who’s funding it 🗣️ Why they SAY they’re doing it 🎯 Why they’re ACTUALLY doing it 🚨 What it means for rural schools ✊ What you can do about it 🧠 WHAT’S HAPPENING? Across the country, we’re seeing: School board takeovers Book bans Attacks on teachers Shifts to voucher systems Defunding of public programs Groups like Moms for Liberty , Parents Defending Education , and American Principles Project present themselves as “grassroots.” But they’re part of a coordinated campaign to take control of public education and redirect taxpayer funds to private institutions. These efforts are especially dangerous for rural and working-class communities where...

In a recent article, the World Economic Forum declared that AI literacy is now a core competency in education—a shift as profound as the rise of reading or math instruction in public schools. It’s a clear sign of where the world is headed. And it’s a call to action for all of us working in rural, remote, or underserved regions: Our students cannot afford to be left behind. Schools across Alaska are full of brilliant, resilient, and wildly creative students. But too often, these same students are held back—not by their potential, but by assumptions: “AI is too advanced for them.” “They need more ‘real world’ skills before they touch tech.” “Let’s limit screen time in schools—they’re already on screens too much at home.” We hear these arguments. And we understand the heart behind them. But we also know this: A balanced life and a prepared mind are not opposites. Let’s Talk About Screen Time We agree: kids need time off their screens. They need to climb trees, build forts, make...