A Petersburg teacher was a finalist for the 2026 Alaska Teacher of the Year award. Third grade teacher Becky Martin was among the top six educators considered for the honor.
According to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development website, among other qualities, candidates for the award are experts who help their students achieve excellence, connect classrooms to the community, and demonstrate leadership in and out of the classroom.
At a school board meeting on June 17, Petersburg School District Superintendent Robyn Taylor congratulated Martin on becoming a finalist.
In an interview with KFSK, Martin said that collaborating with others is a large part of how she approaches teaching. She works with local teachers, other classrooms, and community organizations to help students be engaged and successful.
Martin said she’s always looking for creative ways for students to apply what they learn.
“I’m always trying to think of real-world examples that can either invite my students into the learning or provide an opportunity for them to apply their new skills,” she said.
Listen to the interview here:
The winner of the 2026 Alaska Teacher of the Year award was welding instructor Pete Daley from Hutchinson High School in Fairbanks.
