Board of Directors
Chairperson
Rebecca Gallen
Northway
I retired from teaching in May 2016. I taught primarily English and social studies for grades
6-12, along with other subjects, at Walter Northway School. I've counseled in Northway and
for small schools in the district.
I have experience being on a regional school board, local school board, JOM and Indian Education committees, local and state library boards, Doyon Foundation, and tribal court. I continue to advocate for improved teaching practices in village schools and students being successful.
I enjoy being retired by doing what I want to do when I want to, though it feels like I have more to do!
---- Rebecca Gallen
Vice-Chairperson
Mary Walker
Holy Cross/Anchorage
My name is Mary Walker. I am the daughter of the late David G. Walker and Lillian Walker of Anchorage. My paternal grandparents were the late Mary Demoski Walker (Nulato) and James Walker (Tanana). My maternal grandparents were the late Katherine Bradley Labelle (Unalakleet) and Fred Labelle (Buffalo, NY). I have one son, Fred Walker.
I spend my free time playing rhythm guitar and singing at different venues. I love to fish for salmon in the South-central areas. I have been retired from the State of Alaska after working as an elementary teacher as well as an administrator for 22 years. I taught middle school in Holy Cross for the majority of those years for the Iditarod Area School District (IASD). I've worked for Kashunamuit and Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (FNSBSD). I reside in Anchorage where I can be seen visiting my mom on almost a daily basis.
I have been involved with AINE for many years serving in various capacities as a member and a board member. This organization has gone through many changes over the years and continues to evolve. AINE needs more members from our communities...in particular teachers who are active in the profession. Please consider stepping up and becoming a member or board member. Your voice and participation are needed.
---- Mary Walker
Secretary/Treasurer
Josie Dayton
Koyukuk
My name is Josie Dayton. I was born in Huslia and raised in Koyukuk. I am Athabascan Indian. My parents are Benedict and Eliza Jones. I was a teacher aide for 15 years at Ella B. Vernetti School in Koyukuk. I returned back to school and graduated with a teaching degree in 2000. I taught in Koyukuk for 15 years until I retired in 2015. I have held the principal/teacher position at one time in my career. The positions I now hold is secretary/treasury with Koyukuk Tribal Council and tribal judge for the Koyukuk Tribal Court. I really enjoy living my subsistence lifestyle and traveling with my family.
---- Josie Dayton
Boardmember
YughUlooghelghee (Someone who is strong, someone who will survive) se’ooze’
Marie Dayton
Koyukuk
My name is Marie Dayton and I’m Koyukon Athabascan. I’m originally from Nulato and my
parents are the late Simeon and Josephine Mountain. I moved to Koyukuk at 19 and began
working for YKSD in 1980.
I’m a lifelong educator and have worked throughout our district as both a teacher and mentor. As many of you know, living in the interior, science and math plays a vital role in our traditional lifestyle, be it setting traps, making fishnets, or hunting.
As a mentor, my goal is to make people aware of our traditional heritage as well as to support our educational programs. The Alaska Interior Native Education (AINE) have similar goals. The mission statement for AINE is to give native educators a voice, develop curriculum that is relevant to our youth, and continue to support new teachers in the interior.
I have been involved with AINE over the past years, and in that time, I have worked with other teachers and educational professionals to develop curriculum to enhance direct instruction in the classroom through individualized learning styles and teaching strategies. As a retired
teacher, I will continue to support AINE by giving more Alaska Natives the opportunity to go
into the educational field.
---- Marie Dayton
Boardmember
Judy Madros
Nulato/Kaltag
Judy (Ekada) was born and raised in Nulato. I'm currently teaching grades K-3 in the village of Kaltag. I have experience serving on Nulato Tribal Council and I have also held a position as a tribal judge. I've had the privilege of teaching in my hometown Nulato and the beautiful village of Koyukuk.
---- Judy (Ekada) Madros
Boardmember
Ac’aralek
Lenora (Lolly) Carpluk
Mountain Village/Fairbanks
Waqaa/Hello, my name is Lenora (Lolly Ac’aralek) Carpluk. I am Yup’ik from the Asa’carsarmiut Tribe in Mountain Village, Alaska. My parents are the late Cunic’uar Johnny and Yungersaq Mary Ann Sheppard. My late husband, Jerry, and I have three children and one grandchild. As an Indigenous educator, my Yugtun values and teachings have anchored me in all areas of education, with a special focus on nurturing the identity and cultural knowledge and practices of Indigenous students pursing a teaching degree. I am currently researching national Indigenous-based teacher education models.
As a young family we moved to Fairbanks in 1992. Shortly thereafter I was invited to participate in the discussions to form and establish Association of Interior Native Educators (AINE). I have been so honored, grateful and blessed to have met all the Elders and educators who worked with AINE over the years. Together the Elders and teachers have done great work. I am excited for this work to continue to be shared with the current and upcoming teachers as the curriculum units, and videos have valuable knowledge that continues to apply to today.
I am looking forward to serving on the AINE Board of Directors. Quyana for the appointment.
---- Lenora (Lolly Ac’aralek) Carpluk
Boardmember
Thelma Saunders
Kaltag
Bio will be available soon
---- Thelma Saunders