Alaska Native Education Staff

The ANE Program staffs 13 tutors in 17 schools along with a district wide family advocate and graduation success/attendance liaison. The ANE Tutors and staff provide a wide variety of services, including academic, social and cultural support.

ANE Social Services Manager, LHS

Melissa Zatica

(907) 456-7794, ext. 17143

Email:  melissa.zatica@k12northstar.org

Hello, my name is Melissa, Zatica, and I am originally from Nevada and Oregon, but have lived in Alaska long enough that it feels more like I was born here. I graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a Degree in Social work and a minor in Psychology. I have been working within the Fairbanks Community in the Human Services field for the last five years, and have learned so much about the different cultures that make up the State of Alaska. When I am not working, I enjoy traveling around the world, and spending time with my family here and in the lower 48. Not to mention playing with my two dogs, and going back to my western roots with helping take care of my parents farm. I cannot wait to work with all of the amazing families within the ANE program, and foster relationships between the school, and the families as well.

ANE Tutors:

Lathrop HighKellie O'Brien (not pictured)LHS Phone: (907) 456-7794 ext. 17143Email: kellie.obrien@k12northstar.org

Denali ElementaryRebecca (Norma) Charlie-RunfolaPhone: (907) 452-2456  ext. 32208Email: rebecca.charlie-runfola@k12northstar.org

Hello! My name is Rebecca Charlie-Runfola. My friends and coworkers call me by my middle name, Norma. I’m the new Alaska Native Education Tutor at Denali Elementary. I grew up on the Bering Sea coast in a rural village called Scammon Bay, Alaska. My first language is Yup’ik. When I was growing up my family and I lived off the land and the sea. We fished, hunted, and gathered year-round in preparation for the seasons. We spent summers at fish camp catching herring and salmon. We went home to Scammon Bay at the end of summer and picked berries until it was time to go back to school. During the school year we hunted and fished. We would spend lots of time ice fishing, or setting nets and traps under the ice to catch our fish. I also helped my father with his traplines. My grandmother taught me how to sew skins. I make fur parkas, hats, and sealskin boots, thanks to all that I learned from her. My husband and I have been living in Fairbanks for more than 20 years. We have three children and four grandkids. I taught our children how to hunt and fish and gather foods from the wilderness, and how to take care of our food throughout the year. We still work hard to live off the land today, even though we’re in town very far from where I grew up.  I graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2010 and received my BA in Art with a minor in General Education. I started with the school district in 2012 when I worked at Joy Elementary as a Special Education Aide in an Intensive Resource classroom. I’ve also worked as a SPED IR Aide at Anne Wien Elementary and Tanana Middle School. Even though that was sometimes a very challenging job, there’s nothing more rewarding than helping some of our most precious students. I was hired as the Denali ANE Tutor in November of 2018. I really enjoy my job there. Working with the ANE students at Denali has been a great experience in so many ways. I love teaching them about my traditions and learning about theirs. I look forward to another great school year working with students and their families and the other ANE and Denali staff.

Joy ElementaryDonna Sharp
Phone: (907) 456-5469 ext. 125

Email:donna.sharp@k12northstar.org

Hello!! My name is Donna and I was born and raised here in Fairbanks.  My mother is the late Alice Jordan of Beaver and my grandparents are the late Moses and Ruth Cruikshank of Beaver and Utqiagvik.  I graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2013 with a bachelors in Justice and minor in Psychology. I have been married for 13 years and have two wonderful boys.  

Anne Wien Jori WalkerPhone: (907) 451-7500 xt. 27011Email: jori.walker@k12northstar.org

University ParkRose Nicholia
Phone: (907) 479-6963 ext. 120 Email: rose.nicholia@k12northstar.org

I am happy to be back for my 10^th year with ANE at University Park Elementary and my 26^th year with FNSB School District. My parents are Robert & Jeanette Walker of Shaw Creek, Alaska (near Delta Junction), where I was born and raised. As a child, I loved growing up on a remote homestead and living a subsistence life style, but going to school, and then moving to Fairbanks were culture shocks, so I try hard to make school and learning a positive experience for students. I now have two grown daughters, and three grandchildren. My husband, Craig from the village of Tanana, retired last spring from teaching PE at WVHS, where we first met sixteen years ago. I have a fire science degree in Wildland Fire Control and have worked each summer since 1999 as an emergency fire fighter (EFF). I love both of my jobs, but I’m blessed to be able to work with the wonderful children at Upark!

Hunter Elementary Nancy Teter
Phone: (907) 456-5775 ext. 34134Email: nancy.teter@k12northstar.org

Waqaa, my name is Nancy Teter-Qaililria. I am Yup’ik/Cup’ik/Russian/Sami from St. Mary’s, Alaska. My maternal grandparents are the late Axenia (Kozevnikoff) Francis of Pitka’s Point and the late John Francis of Emmonak. My paternal grandparents are the late Siesta (Joseph) Kinzy of Chevak and the late Andy Kinzy of St. Mary’s. I have been with my wonderful husband Carl for 28 years. We have been blessed with three children, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law and six grandchildren! This is my thirteenth year with the ANE Program and my tenth year at Hunter Elementary. I love working for the ANE Program. Seeing children meet their goals, whether it is academic or personal, is one of my greatest joys. I love helping create leaders and building self-esteem, and helping students build cultural pride. I look forward to another successful year!

Nordale/Ticasuk Brown Position OpenPhone: NDL: (907) 452-2696 ext. 203Email: 

Woodriver Laura Amundson
Phone: (907) 479-4211 

Email: laura.amundson@k12northstar.org 

My name is Laura Amundson, and I am the ANE Tutor at Woodriver Elementary.  This will be my thirteenth year with the FNSBSD. I grew up in the Norton Sound village of Unalakleet, a mostly Inupiaq town of about 700.  My parents were the late Paul and Elizabeth Ivanoff. After attending Covenant High School I went on to graduate from the University of Alaska  - Fairbanks with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Management. I am married to Dan Amundson, and together we have four children. We also have one dog to protect us when we go camping, fishing or blueberry picking, activities that truly make it worthwhile to live in Alaska.  Tutoring has been a rewarding experience in that we provide the extra support that some of our ANE students need.  I feel fortunate to be working at Woodriver Elementary; our school works together as a collaborative team for the success of our students.  I am so pleased that I have the support of teachers and staff for the ANE program in our building.  

North Pole Middle and High

Phillip Castillo

North Pole Middle School

(907) 488-2271 ext. 40033

North Pole High School

(907) 488-3761 ext. 19152

E-mail: phillip.castillo@k12northstar.org

Hello, my name is Phillip Castillo and I am from the Pueblo of Acoma, one of 19 Pueblos in the state of New Mexico. I am an ANE tutor currently servicing both North Pole High School and Middle School. I am in Alaska by way of the military, as I recently retired from the US Army after 20 ½ years at Fort Wainwright. My family and I absolutely love Alaska and chose to stay here through my daughter’s graduation from high school. I have 4 daughters ranging in age from 26 to 13, with my youngest being in the 8^th grade at North Pole middle school. I graduated from Adams State University (Alamosa, Colorado) in 1998 with a Master’s degree in Health Physical Education and Recreation (HPER). As a student there I also ran Cross Country and Track and Field and in 1992, became the 1^st American Indian to ever win a NCAA Cross Country individual title. From there I went on to compete in the 2000 Olympic Marathon Trials in Pittsburgh, PA as a member of the World Class Athlete Program in the US Army. I have a tremendous passion for helping Native students and I want nothing more than to see our students flourish academically while becoming positive, contributing members of society and maintaining our indigenous values.

Ryan Middle

Tameran Poulsen

Phone: (907) 452-4751 ext. 13232

Email: tameran.poulsen@k12northstar.org.  

Hello! My name is Tamera Poulsen.  This is my 4th year with ANE, my 2nd year at Ryan Middle School.  I am so excited to be back at Ryan with all the kiddos! I was born in the Pacific Northwest and grew up camping, fishing, gardening, berry- picking, and canning.  As an adult, I have lived and travelled all over the United States. I have 4 children and 3 grandchildren whom are members of the Fort Peck Assiniboine Sioux Tribes. They are all amazing people and I am so proud of them.  I am also a veteran of the Armed Forces, Army branch. Each place I have visited or lived is special in some way. I love the Alaskan terrain, the open skies and beautiful views of the Aurora Borealis that Alaska is famous for.  As a Program Tutor, I strive to be understanding, compassionate, and a great community support for students and families.   I can’t wait to get to know all the new faces, and continue to foster established relationships with my students! This is going to be another great year!

West Valley High

Barbara Ross

Phone: (907) 479-4221 ext. 46201

Email: barbara.ross@k12northstar.org

Hello, my name is Barbara Ross. I am the Alaska Native Education tutor at West Valley High School. I have lived in Alaska since 1999. My first 12 years in Alaska were spent teaching in rural Alaska, where I taught math and science. I lived 4 years in Grayling, 3 years in Koyuk, and 5 years in Stebbins. While in those villages, I loved learning about the local cultures. In Grayling, I learned some of the Holikachuk language and attended Spirit Camp with my students. Berry picking, egg gathering, and boat rides are among my favorite memories of Koyuk. I always enjoyed the annual Potlatch in Stebbins with all the drumming and Eskimo dancing.  I love to travel and have visited every continent except Antarctica. I have lived in Fairbanks since I retired from teaching in 2011. I am happy to be part of the ANE team.

Effie Kokrine Jr./Sr. High

Mindy Gallagher

EKCS: (907) 474-0958 ext. 33103

Email: mindy.gallagher@k12northstar.org

My name is Mindy Gallagher.  I grew up in Indiana, where my parents, Howard and Virginia, were teachers in junior high and high schools, so I grew up around educators.  I attended Grinnell College, then completed my bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Biology at the University of Washington.  After I moved to Alaska, I worked for BLM and then Tanana Chiefs Conference, working with Native allotment and village land titles.  I enjoyed traveling around to Interior villages and helping people with their land claims.  After taking time off to raise my 2 kids, I returned to work in the school district as an aide and a tutor.  I am returning as the Alaska Native Education tutor at Effie Kokrine Charter School.  My husband and I have 2 children who are now grown; both of them got married last year.  My son is working in carpentry while he starts his own business and my daughter working with a costume designer in California.  My husband and I enjoy gardening, camping, hiking, and travel.  I also am an avid knitter and enjoy sewing. 

ANE Administrative Staff:

ANE Director

Yatibaey Evans

(907) 452-2000 ext. 11462

Email: yatibaey.evans@k12northstar.org