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EILEEN PANIGEO MACLEAN EDUCATION: Teaching respect while earning it

Published on November 16th, 2009

By MATT NEVALA

Upon receiving the 2009 Eileen Panigeo MacLean Education President's Award last month, Agnik Polly Schaeffer stood proudly before the Alaska Federation of Natives and pointed to what she believes is the most important aspect of teaching.

"It is respect," she told the audience in her acceptance speech. "Respect for yourself, respect for others and respect for the Inupiaq heritage of our region."

For slightly more than a decade, Schaeffer and the staff at Kotzebue's Nikaitchuat Illisagviat tribal immersion school have worked each year to mold about 20 children between the ages of 3 and 7 into respectful young people.

"We grew up respecting people, ourselves and those around us," said Schaeffer, 62. "We wanted that passed on to these children. When they move on to the other elementary school (in the area), we always hear about how respectful they are."

In 1998, Schaeffer and husband Tarruq (Pete) founded Nikaitchuat Illisagviat, which translates to "anything is possible" and "a place of learning." The school is dedicated to instilling Inupiaq knowledge, identity and dignity and creating lifelong love affairs with learning.

Schaeffer was the 11th of 14 children born to Ikaaq (Albert) and Qatlu (Minnie) Sheldon of Aqsik, not far from Noorvik. She spoke Inupiaq growing up and went to school at Mount Edgecumbe in Sitka before graduating from Nome Beltz High School. She and Pete Schaeffer raised eight children.

"And we have 17 grandchildren," she said. "I thank my family for all their support. I also wanted to thank the parents of all the children, the (Willie) Hensley family and Ida Beismeier, my first co-worker."

She also thanked all her other co-workers past and present.

The Eileen Panigeo MacLean Education award was named for the late state legislator, elementary and bilingual teacher. It recognizes an Alaska Native who has demonstrated strong commitment, competence and sensitivity in the education field and whose accomplishments have improved educational opportunities for Alaska Natives.

When Schaeffer learned she won the 2009 award, she made sure Beismeier was one of the first to know. It's clearly a sign of respect for Nikaitchuat Illisagviat.

"When I told Ida we were receiving the award, she said it was something we couldn't imagine in our wildest dreams," Schaeffer said. "We were both so surprised."

The pair of dedicated educators didn't expect such acknowledgement when they put in the long hours to start the school so long ago.

"I'm really honored and humbled," Schaeffer said.