Aerial view of Selawik

Four years ago, Priscilla Ballot had a home, a family and a longstanding job at her local school.

She didn’t know she soon would dream of accomplishing more.

That changed in 2002 when Ballot, 47, an instructional aide at Davis-Ramoth School in Selawik, began taking classes toward a degree in elementary education at Chukchi College.

In a communications class taught by professor John Creed, Ballot got a glimpse of her own future when she read “Higher Education in Rural Alaska: A Dream Realized,” written by Berta Wilson, who was more than 50 years old when she earned her college degree in Nome in 1996.

Wilson writes about earning credits through “sheer persistence,” and says that education is the key for Alaska Natives trying to walk in two worlds.

Ballot asked Creed to read a part of that memoir when introducing her as Chukchi’s Student of the Year, last Tuesday, May 9, during the University of Alaska rural campus’ graduation ceremony.

“Priscilla is a wonderful student, and she encourages other students,” said Creed. “That’s why she’ll make it as an educator.”

After four years of juggling college classes, fulltime work at Selawik’s school, and taking care of her family, Ballot has just over half the credits she needs for a bachelor’s degree.

Once she has it, she is hoping to teach first and second grade at Davis-Ramoth School – the age when, she said, “the kids are just learning how to read.”

“Teaching is something I enjoy,” Ballot said. “When the kids are learning, I learn something, too. I understand the kids, I know their families, and I know where they come from.”

Valedictorian of her high school class 30 years ago, Ballot has lately found herself in the position to make important speeches again. A week before accepting Chukchi’s Student of the Year” honors, she was selected the Northwest Arctic Borough School District’s “Instructional Aide of the Year.”

And once more, she stood before an audience to accept an award for excellence in education.

Superintendent Norm Eck, who worked with Ballot for six years while principal in Selawik, has said he recognized early that she had the potential to be a great teacher.

“She is hard working, dedicated and shows up every day. She wants to make a difference,” Eck said.

Ballot’s colleagues at Davis-Ramoth recognize the same outspokenness and deep belief in the virtues of education that made her Chuckchi’s “Student of the Year.”

“She works so well with the students, and she doesn’t cut them any slack. They’ve made tremendous strides working with her in math,” said Selawik teacher Aeriale Johnson.

Ballot said she began taking college classes when she heard of the new requirements for classroom aides under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, and she was happy for the chance to go back to school.

For Ballot, education is a way of life.

“I’ve had my share of struggles in my life, and I’m still struggling with some of the choices I make,” she said. “But I’m taking my classes and I’ll get my degree one of these days. No matter what, you’re really never too old to learn.”

This article was originally pubished in the May 18th issue of the Arctic Sounder.