Native studies and language immersion teacher Sheila Wallace helps her young Yup'ik students learn their native language and culture within a standards-based curriculum at Ayaprun Elitnaurvik Yup'ik Immersion, a charter school in Bethel. Her creative lessons integrate science with language instruction while making learning exciting through hands-on activities, such as using mud to build models of traditional homes. Ms. Wallace also takes her students on field trips to places such as the National Guard hangar, where they see helicopters for the very first time. She participates in traditional Yup'ik celebrations, helping students with their traditional clothing and singing and dancing with them. Through her patient instruction, and with the help of parents and community volunteers, students who once had difficulty reading become good readers in both English and Yup'ik.
