The Executive Board of the Association shall be responsible for the management of the Association, approve all expenditures, report its transactions to the general membership, suggest policies for consideration by the general membership, appoint the negotiating team, and establish the order of business for the general membership meetings...In addition to the officers of the Association, the Executive Board shall consist of three (3) grade-level representatives who are not officers of the organization.
Hedy Eischeid, Uniserv Director
Hedy Eischeid is a Uniserv Director assigned to work with the Northwest Arctic Education Association (NAEA). Hedy has worked for NEA Alaska for eight years and has worked with the members of NAEA six of those years. Hedy supports NAEA Leadership and members with issues related to their wages, hours and conditions of employment. As part of that work, she assists us in bargaining and enforcing the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Northwest Arctic Borough School District and the Association. Hedy visits the region regularly to conduct trainings and visits to villages.
Hedy Eischeid is a Uniserv Director assigned to work with the Northwest Arctic Education Association (NAEA). Hedy has worked for NEA Alaska for eight years and has worked with the members of NAEA six of those years. Hedy supports NAEA Leadership and members with issues related to their wages, hours and conditions of employment. As part of that work, she assists us in bargaining and enforcing the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Northwest Arctic Borough School District and the Association. Hedy visits the region regularly to conduct trainings and visits to villages.
Tracy Bell, President
Tracy's career with Northwest Arctic Borough School District began in 2012 when she moved to Selawik from Michigan after accepting a Kindergarten position. In 2018, she moved to Kotzebue to pursue a District Office position as a Staff Development Specialist for grades K-5 and since 2019 she has been teaching third-grade at June Nelson Elementary School. Tracy has worked with NAEA in various roles from serving on the bargaining team, as a building site representative, Vice President, on NEA-AK's Steering & Rules representing Region IV, and most recently being voted in as President.
As an elementary teacher, Tracy has felt the impact of high teacher turnover on students and colleagues year-to-year and she understands the pressure that Rural, remote teaching can have on a small staff and the challenges that individuals face living in a remote area. As President, she hopes to foster and maintain relationships with District leadership that are collaborative, proactive, and establish a stronger teacher voice representing our membership.
Tracy's career with Northwest Arctic Borough School District began in 2012 when she moved to Selawik from Michigan after accepting a Kindergarten position. In 2018, she moved to Kotzebue to pursue a District Office position as a Staff Development Specialist for grades K-5 and since 2019 she has been teaching third-grade at June Nelson Elementary School. Tracy has worked with NAEA in various roles from serving on the bargaining team, as a building site representative, Vice President, on NEA-AK's Steering & Rules representing Region IV, and most recently being voted in as President.
As an elementary teacher, Tracy has felt the impact of high teacher turnover on students and colleagues year-to-year and she understands the pressure that Rural, remote teaching can have on a small staff and the challenges that individuals face living in a remote area. As President, she hopes to foster and maintain relationships with District leadership that are collaborative, proactive, and establish a stronger teacher voice representing our membership.
Andie Zink, Vice President
Andie Zink is one of four NWABSD school counselors. "It goes without saying that the opportunity to be a part of the NAEA is a privilege and pleasure." Andie values the chance to work with such an inspiring and motivated group of educators. She presently hold the position of NAEA Vice President and was part of the negotiations bargaining team for our most recent contract. This her my 10th year working for the Northwest Arctic Borough School District as a school counselor. Currently she serves the Upriver schools. "I have the best job, I get to work with students from Pre-K through 12 grade."
Andie Zink is one of four NWABSD school counselors. "It goes without saying that the opportunity to be a part of the NAEA is a privilege and pleasure." Andie values the chance to work with such an inspiring and motivated group of educators. She presently hold the position of NAEA Vice President and was part of the negotiations bargaining team for our most recent contract. This her my 10th year working for the Northwest Arctic Borough School District as a school counselor. Currently she serves the Upriver schools. "I have the best job, I get to work with students from Pre-K through 12 grade."
Emma Melkerson, Treasurer & Delegate
Emma Melkerson is currently serving as NAEA Treasurer.
Emma Melkerson is currently serving as NAEA Treasurer.
Corey Shepherd, Secretary
Corey currently teaches 5th grade at June Nelson Elementary School in Kotzebue. Over the past 5 years, Corey has been involved with the union locally as a Site Rep. Corey currently serves on the NEA-Alaska Board of Directors representing Region IV which includes 22 locals throughout north and west Alaska. He also currently serves on the Saving Our Alaska Retirement (SOAR) Steering Committee working to educate members and advocate for a secure retirement for all educators. Corey's goals for the association are to increase communication and information transparency between members and leaders at all sites and to advocate for strong member engagement in local and statewide opportunities.
Corey currently teaches 5th grade at June Nelson Elementary School in Kotzebue. Over the past 5 years, Corey has been involved with the union locally as a Site Rep. Corey currently serves on the NEA-Alaska Board of Directors representing Region IV which includes 22 locals throughout north and west Alaska. He also currently serves on the Saving Our Alaska Retirement (SOAR) Steering Committee working to educate members and advocate for a secure retirement for all educators. Corey's goals for the association are to increase communication and information transparency between members and leaders at all sites and to advocate for strong member engagement in local and statewide opportunities.
Samantha Dutton, Immediate Past President
Samantha Dutton teaches Kindergarten at June Nelson Elementary School in Kotzebue. She has been teaching in the Northwest Arctic since the fall of 2011 and has taught elementary, middle, and high school in both Kiana and Kotzebue. Sam has served as a Site Rep, Secretary, and President for the Northwest Arctic Education Association and is happy to be serving one more year on the Executive Board as the Immediate Past President.
Samantha Dutton teaches Kindergarten at June Nelson Elementary School in Kotzebue. She has been teaching in the Northwest Arctic since the fall of 2011 and has taught elementary, middle, and high school in both Kiana and Kotzebue. Sam has served as a Site Rep, Secretary, and President for the Northwest Arctic Education Association and is happy to be serving one more year on the Executive Board as the Immediate Past President.
Nathan Dutton, Grievance Chair & Delegate
Nate is going on his 9th year living and working in the Northwest Arctic. He has been involved in NAEA for 6 years, attending NEA Delegate assembly and taking on the rights and grievance chair. In his leisure time he enjoys spending time with family, hunting, fishing, camping, cutting wood, snow machining and many other outdoor activities.
Nate is going on his 9th year living and working in the Northwest Arctic. He has been involved in NAEA for 6 years, attending NEA Delegate assembly and taking on the rights and grievance chair. In his leisure time he enjoys spending time with family, hunting, fishing, camping, cutting wood, snow machining and many other outdoor activities.
Darci Shane, Elementary Representative
Deering teacher Darci Shane is the elementary rep on the executive board. Ms. Shane arrived in Alaska in 2017 after retiring from 30 plus years of teaching in Montana. She is in her 4th year of teaching in NWABSD. First two years in Kobuk and now in Deering. Ms. Shane grew up on a dryland wheat farm in Montana. She was raised to believe in the power and the purpose of unions. Ms. Shane is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound. While teaching in Montana she was a member of Montana Education Association, serving as vice president and negotiation team member for her local as well a delegate to the MEA state convention.
Deering teacher Darci Shane is the elementary rep on the executive board. Ms. Shane arrived in Alaska in 2017 after retiring from 30 plus years of teaching in Montana. She is in her 4th year of teaching in NWABSD. First two years in Kobuk and now in Deering. Ms. Shane grew up on a dryland wheat farm in Montana. She was raised to believe in the power and the purpose of unions. Ms. Shane is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound. While teaching in Montana she was a member of Montana Education Association, serving as vice president and negotiation team member for her local as well a delegate to the MEA state convention.
Monica Miller, Middle School Representative
Monica Miller is the middle school representative to the executive board. She teaches at Kotzebue Middle School.
Monica Miller is the middle school representative to the executive board. She teaches at Kotzebue Middle School.
Brent Hostetter, High School Representative
Brent Hostetter is the high school representative to the executive board. He teaches at Napaaqtugmiut School in Noatak.
Brent Hostetter is the high school representative to the executive board. He teaches at Napaaqtugmiut School in Noatak.
