Meet the Staff

BEN

Hi there, I’m Ben. I was born and raised right here in Anchorage. I've taught in Tuluksak, Tok, Wasilla, and Anchorage- including 6 years of Write Alaska!

Occasionally I find myself not at school and have to find something else to keep me busy. My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family- I have a wife, a 6 year old daughter, and a 3 year old son. They'll probably come fishing with us one of these days.

I also love to read, listen to and make music, and go crazy about sports. My favorite authors are Louise Erdrich, Haruki Murakami, and John Steinbeck. I like all kinds of music, but for some reason a disproportionate amount of it is Canadian. I play guitar pretty well, and a few other instruments not so well. As far as sports, I prefer baseball and hockey, but I like the Seahawks, too.

LARRY

Hello, this is your neighborhood, friendly Larry Wilson at your service. I'll be working with you during the second week of Write Alaska! I have taught at East Anchorage High School for the last eleven years. I also coach the boy’s JV basketball team at East as well. I am a big fan of basketball, fantasy football, and the Chicago Cubs. I am from Chicago, IL originally, but I graduated from University of Washington—go dawgs! 

I fell in love with writing when I was a junior in high school; I joined a rap group called Fresh4Life Crew with two guys I played basketball with. I’ll never forget the words of my English teacher during my senior year of high school; Mrs. Kohler said, “Larry, you can’t just write raps all the time.” She is why I started to write and love poetry. At East High, I have run Poetry Out Loud for the last six years, and I have loved watching kids get so into poetry. My favorite poets would have to be Anne Sexton and Claude McKay. Music is another way that I get my poetry fix; hip-hop is my main channel, but I am all over the music spectrum as well.

ASHLEY

Hi, my name is Ashley. I was born in Anchorage, AK and have been living here again for 5 years. I’m currently an undergraduate student at University of Alaska Anchorage. Some of my favorite things to do include looking at the mountains, practicing yoga with my mom, and playing with my 1 year old brother. This summer I’m super excited to be apart of such a wonderful team of teachers and students with Write & Science Alaska!

MATT

Hi I am Matthew Turner and I am currently a social studies teacher at Eagle River High School. I have lived and worked in this community for over 30 years. I enjoy spending time with family and friends both indoors and out. Currently I coach football at Bartlett High School and track and field and wrestling at Eagle River High School. I look forward to this program and all the activities and hands on learning that will occur. The opportunities to learn like this just don’t happen much anymore and I am glad to be a part or it.

ABBY

I am Abby Pfisterer.  I have been teaching science in the Anchorage School District since 2002.  I have taught science at Dimond High, New Path, StepUp, Clark and now, Science Alaska!  I have lived in Anchorage my entire life.  I enjoy all types of outdoor adventures with my family.  I love to hike, fish and camp.  I am super excited to get to do Science Alaska! because I get to go on outdoor adventures and teach at the same time.

JEANETTE

Waqaa, my name is Jeanette and I am originally from Dillingham, Alaska which is in the heart of the Bristol Bay. Right after high school I went to Fort Lewis College and earned my degree in Education. I have worked at Bartlett High school as an Indian Education Counselor and graduation coach for the last thirteen years. I love fishing, beading, movies, and reading!

JAIME

I was born in Anchorage and graduated from Bartlett High School. I’m a full-time student at UAA and pursuing a degree in human services. Besides my studies, I enjoy snowboarding, fishing and getting outdoors with my son. I’m excited to explore places I’ve never been and make new memories!

PEDRO

Hi, my name's Pedro! I recently graduated from UAA and have worked for Covenant House’s Back on Track program for the past year. I work with students who attend the Back-on-Track Classroom with any needs that they might have. I'm from Puerto Rico and moved to Alaska when I was 9. I graduated from Dimond High School and enjoy good books, music, movies, and having fun with my family and friends. I can't wait to get to know all of you these next two weeks!

RHIANNON

I moved to Alaska from Denver when I was in middle school. I graduated from Dimond High School and am now a student at University of Colorado, Denver, majoring in Music Business. Next month I will be moving to London, England as an international exchange college student. This summer I have been working with United Way’s Back-on-Track Program in summer school and now Write Alaska/Science Alaska 2018. I was a Migrant student in high school and I’m looking forward to spending my last few weeks in America exploring the great Alaskan outdoors with this Migrant Education Program.