I have my Masters in Education!

Hello! 

My name is Rebecca Sirevaag and I have just finished my Masters in Education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks!

I have lived a lot of different places, but consider Fairbanks my home. My family has been here since the early 80’s and I attended Lathrop High School and then UAF.

I have a BA in Theatre, with an emphasis on Acting and Directing, and I have a very strong Music Minor. After graduating from UAF, I moved to Fort Worth Texas where I worked in a small traveling Repertory Theatre group called The Company. We performed in schools, camps and a variety of venues.  I was based in Fort Worth for five years and I LOVED it. While there I also tutored English for the Fort Worth ISD in grades 6-12.

Then I moved to Seattle WA, where I taught Drama for two years in a private school called Chrysalis Individualized School, which focuses primarily on kids who struggle with the regular school setting.  Many of my students had learning challenges such as ADHD or dyslexia. I had the opportunity to teach k-12 drama there and I wish I could go back to that school.  I learned so much from my students!

While in Seattle I met my soon to be husband, Jake Sirevaag.  My first pregnancy was life altering- I almost died, my daughter almost died, and I wanted to be closer to my family (who were all still in Fairbanks).  So we moved up here.  I worked as an ERRI tutor at Woodriver Elementary and realized all my jobs kept leading me to schools.

I have been taking the required classes I need to teach English and Art for the last few years, and have finally finished!!!

I hope to be an English and Art teacher here in Fairbanks, using my Theatre background and non-conventional interests to rope in my students.

I love to read!  I am mostly drawn to fiction- Fantasy and Science fiction are my jam, but I read mysteries, YA fiction, Graphic literature, Shakespeare, and most anything that catches my eye. I am currently reading a non-fiction exploration of our modern fascination with zombies titled “Living with the Living Dead”.

My sister and I have sold our art jewelry at the Tanana Valley Farmer’s Market for the last 10 years as Two Sisters.  We make unique one-of-a-kind pieces using an eclectic assortment of materials, including metal-smithing, beading, and wirework.

My husband and I have two amazing and challenging teenage girls, who amaze, delight and confound me on a daily basis.  Both of my girls attend high school here in Fairbanks.  Together we enjoy camping and exploring Alaska.

My Education Program for becoming a teacher… I am ALWAYS growing and learning.  I want to show my students that life is a journey where we never stop growing and learning! 

I don't know if I will be teaching English or Art next year, but I know that it is going to be incredible!  I want to engage students who haven’t previously enjoyed reading, and show them how exciting it can be to enter a book and step into a new world, whether it’s non-fiction or fiction.  I want to teach my art students that everyone can have an incredible creative life, and that every person can explore their own creativity.