Strategies for Implementing Culturally Relevant CTE Instruction

by Vicki Heisser and Jay Stevens  |   

PWSC adjunct faculty Woody Woodgate developed and is currently teaching the online course (Strategies for Implementing Culturally Relevant CTE Instruction) this spring to educators across Alaska. In his class, Woodgate helps teachers better understand historical contexts for education in rural Alaska and provides teachers with best practices for designing culturally relevant activities and lesson plans. The course also helps teachers to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and methodologies into career and technical education (CTE) to promote postsecondary training for students. 

When working in rural Alaska, teachers may find it challenging to integrate place-based Indigenous knowledge into the classroom while still using the mandated state curriculum provided by their school district. Research has shown that teachers from outside rural Alaskan communities where they work can better engage their students through the use of place-based education as part of their curriculum.

This semester, high school teacher Kelly Ballantyne is taking the course. As someone who is not only new to the area but also to teaching, he was “interested in learning more about how to teach”. “This class has been really helpful in helping [me] to think about developing curriculum and using the standards in that process,” Ballantyne said. “I'm creating the curriculum for my program, Farm and Food Industries of Alaska, from scratch. I've also enjoyed getting the perspective of teachers from the bush. I'll be continuing to use the thematic lessons that I'm creating for my class.”

Other classes of a similar instructional design will be taught by Woodgate and other PWSC instructors this summer as part of PWSCʻs For Teachers professional development course offerings. Learn more about the For Teachers courses.