The Last Well-Educated Response.

What does it mean to be well-educated?

When initially presented this question, I immediately thought that a well-educated person must, at the very least, obtain a high school diploma. To be truly well-educated, I believed that one must possess a college degree. Upon further reflection, however, I am forced to revise my previous beliefs for Barrow, the Inupiaq, and others who may live in extremely unique locations. Living in the continental United States, I feel that a college education is needed for success, most especially in today's economy. In Barrow, throughout Alaska, and in other remote locations, a college degree does not ensure survival in harsh conditions. Without the native knowledge of the land and its resources, the Inupiat people would not have survived this long. Without proper educational support, the skills that have allowed the Inupiaq to survive and the language that connects its people may be lost.

Over the course of the past five weeks, I have struggled to include the local culture and history into my lessons. I feel pulled in so many different directions when in my classroom and when planning lessons as I know Barrow is very diverse and a number of my students are not native. I, however, feel it is my obligation as an educator to promote understanding of local culture as a means of keeping it alive. At first I was taken aback by the bilingual nature of the schools which posted signs in both Inupiaq and English, but now I have come to appreciate it and truly respect the efforts of the community to keep its culture alive. The Inupiat elders, those who know so much about the language, culture, and local history may not have a college degree or even a high school diploma, but are certainly well-educated for their environment.

As a result of this experience, I now believe that to be well-educated, one must be well-rounded. Some people can be book smart, readily recalling facts, events, dates, and information that others struggle with, while others may be hands-on learners who would rather complete a lab or make something tangible. Students should not only strive to excel in the core subjects of Math, English, Science, and Social Studies, but to expand their knowledge into music, art, or whatever other hobby or skill that interests them. In a climate like Barrow's, skills such as butchering an animal, sewing skins for boats and clothing, or making eccentric, colorful parkas would help a student become well-rounded and thus well-educated. While I may not value the ability to skin and butcher an animal, for example, I respect the fact that those skills are important to and esteemed by the Inupiat people here.

In conclusion, just as today marks the conclusion of our time here in Barrow, my definition or being well-educated has changed and evolved over the course of my time here at the Top of the World. Education can mean so many things and can occur anywhere at any moment. Parents teach their kids manners, community members teach the younger generation the ways in which people should interact, and educators guide students towards their futures. Well-educated people do not necessarily have college degrees, but must use their time to expand their mind and become well-rounded members of their community, both locally and globally.

Farewell,

Alyssa