Dear Editor: The words of a retiree from my dream job still echo in my mind: “do something different somewhere you don’t belong and love it! Work on a fishing vessel in Alaska!” I personally watched too much “Deadliest Catch” with my dad as a kid to ever desire working on a fishing vessel…but I could work in Alaska.
So began my job search and journey to Sitka. This may come as a shock, but there are very few postings on LinkedIn about opportunities for recent graduates in Alaska. The only position I even considered applying to was Sitka AmeriCorps, and much to my parents’ dismay, it became the only job I wanted. It was perfect: a small town with a big community where it rarely snows (an important point, as someone from New England who went to school in upstate New York), and I get to serve at Blatchley Middle School! Not only was I thrilled that the source of my income would not be shoveling driveways, but the privilege to help students learn how they learn and to follow in my mother’s footsteps as an educator made me ecstatic!
The dream flashed before my eyes for months through the application and acceptance processes, and then for months after as the previous service members were dismissed early. The position no longer felt so secure. The thought of losing something I never had was terrifying, and I can’t be more grateful to be here.
I’m grateful for the position, but I’m also grateful for the welcome I’ve received from the faculty, staff, and students at Blatchley, and equally so from the community. There’s truly nowhere else I’d rather be.
Thank you for having me and for all that you’ve taught me about what community service truly means.
Gunalchéech tlein,
Sam Edinberg, Sitka AmeriCorps, Blatchley Middle School
