{"id":4426,"date":"2018-05-31T15:45:50","date_gmt":"2018-05-31T23:45:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/communications.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us\/?p=4426"},"modified":"2018-05-31T15:45:50","modified_gmt":"2018-05-31T23:45:50","slug":"celebrate-wil-chervenak-2018-kenai-bp-teacher-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kpbsd.org\/schools\/comm-test\/2018\/05\/31\/celebrate-wil-chervenak-2018-kenai-bp-teacher-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate Wil Chervenak, 2018 Kenai BP Teacher of Excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u201cThere are very few elements in life that are fixed\u2013money, health, relationships, employment, fame, talent, and material possessions can all fluctuate drastically. Education however, is one of life\u2019s most precious resources as it not only serves as a vehicle for upward mobility but as a fixed component in the physiological fabric of an individual. One\u2019s education cannot be bought, sold, stolen, given up, or imitated\u2013education is authentic, education is forever. I feel truly blessed each and every day that I get the opportunity to be a part of my students\u2019 development of their own education for I know that I am helping them acquire one of life\u2019s rarest commodities.\u201d \u2013Will Chervenak<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Mr. Wil Chervenak<\/strong> teaches English language arts and physical education to ninth graders at Soldotna Prep School. He has been a teacher for five years, all in Alaska.
\nBefore moving to Soldotna, he taught in the small, rural community of Ambler, located above the Arctic Circle. Teaching in a small Alaska community that experiences long, dark, very cold winters is unlike teaching anywhere else in America and imparts valuable lessons for a teacher. In addition to the opportunity teach classes like I\u00f1upiaq studies is the lesson that building strong personal relationships is vital.
\nHe states: \u201cMy teaching style can be described as accessible and personal. I try my hardest to meet the students where they are and build on skills that they bring to the table.\u201d Mr. Chervenak believes that, in order to motivate students, they have to know their teacher has their best interests at heart. So, by taking the time to learn something special about each student, he achieves a middle ground, which acts as the vehicle to gain trust.
\n\u201cThis lets them know that we are in this together,\u201d he says. \u201cI love what I do, and that passion permeates everything I do in the classroom.\u201d
\nOne of his students says: \u201cHe makes this school more fun and enjoyable. He is very philosophical and makes sure we think about stuff. He doesn\u2019t share any views with us, like religion or politics, so he can keep it fair.\u201d
\nMr. Chervenak is a member of the school\u2019s Instructional Leadership team and helps steer the instructional direction of the school.
\nHe also has coached a wide variety of sports, including cross-country, wrestling, baseball and Native Youth Olympics. But he also leads the far more cerebral Poetry Out Loud Club, Native Youth Leadership and After School Tutoring. He earned both his bachelor\u2019s degree and his master\u2019s in education in secondary teaching, at Eastern Washington University. He also just graduated with his Master\u2019s in Education in educational leadership in April with a 4.0 GPA.
\nMr. Chervenak brings a lot to Soldotna Prep. A student writes, \u201cHe actively tries to help, and makes sure his students are on task yet having fun with their work.\u201d Beyond helping to lead the instructional direction of the school, he states that he is proudest of the positive, healthy relationships he\u2019s maintained with his students and their families, as well as being a fundamental component in over 300 students gaining college entry. That\u2019s certainly something to be proud of.
\n\u201cAs the principal at Soldotna Prep School, I have worked with Mr. Chervenak for four years,\u201d said Curt Schmidt. \u201cHe is very dependable, trustworthy, and sincere in every effort he undertakes. He always maintains a professional attitude, works well with a variety of students and colleagues, and is very flexible in taking on teaching assignments and other duties as requested. Mr. Chervenak is highly organized, communicates clearly, and most importantly, keeps what is best for students in mind at all times.
\nMr. Chervenak has gained extensive knowledge in collaborative practices, built a large toolbox of best teaching practices, and has substantially increased his leadership abilities, with the goal of continual improvement always being foremost in his mind. He also helps administration with substitute duties while they are out of the building with high levels of success. \u00a0He thinks well on his feet and can make adjustments easily. I am confident that Mr. Chervenak is deserving of this award.\u201d
\n\u201cI am very proud of all our finalists for this prestigious award,\u201d said Sean Dusek, superintendent. \u201cThey all embody the qualities we want all of our teachers to exhibit, especially in how they ensure a strong, positive relationship with each and every student. Each finalist is very deserving of this recognition and I look forward to their continued excellence and leadership in our district.\u201d
\nCongratulations, Will Chervenak, BP Teacher of Excellence.<\/strong>
\n\"Kenai<\/a><\/p>\n