Irene Wassillie, who taught kindergarten and first grade for nearly 40 years at Napaskiak’s Z.J. Williams Memorial School, emphasized the Yugtun language in her classroom. As she prepares to retire, her legacy continues with her daughter Julia and grandson John Sipary, who teach fourth and sixth grade at the same school. Their multi-generational presence is rare in a remote school like Z.J. Williams, where high teacher turnover can impact education quality significantly. This family “dynasty” of teachers is not only inspiring the next generation of Napaskiak’s youth but also demonstrating a strong commitment to community and culture.
Watch: In Napaskiak, Three Generations of Teachers Uplift Yup’ik Language and Culture in the Classroom
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